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The differences between executive directors and administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an executive director, becoming an administrator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an executive director has an average salary of $127,956, which is higher than the $72,882 average annual salary of an administrator.
The top three skills for an executive director include oversight, patients and customer service. The most important skills for an administrator are customer service, data entry, and troubleshoot.
| Executive Director | Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $127,956 | $72,882 |
| Hourly rate | $61.52 | $35.04 |
| Growth rate | -8% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 97,471 | 67,553 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 49 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Executive directors are top management employees who usually function as a chief executive officer. This role is usually seen in non-profit organizations. Executive directors provide strategic direction to the organization, and they ensure that the organization's goals are actualized. They provide guidance to the employees and ensure that the employees have the organization's advocacies at the center of every project or program. They oversee the policies of the organization and create strategies that will bring the organization's programs forward. Executive directors are also responsible for making crucial decisions for the betterment of the organization.
Administrators are administrative professionals who oversee the whole office or department. They manage office activities and supervise administrative functions in the office. They work the office calendar and oversee the appointment-setting process. They coordinate office events and ensure that all preparations are made and that there are no conflicting schedules. They also maintain a database of external providers of various office needs. Administrators also oversee office supplies and prepare purchase requisitions. They also manage janitorial services and other functions that are related to the maintenance of the physical office space. Administrators ensure that all fixtures and equipment in the office are functioning well and have no problems.
Executive directors and administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Executive Director | Administrator | |
| Average salary | $127,956 | $72,882 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $213,000 | Between $46,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Washington |
| Best paying company | Genentech | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an executive director and an administrator in terms of educational background:
| Executive Director | Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between executive directors' and administrators' demographics:
| Executive Director | Administrator | |
| Average age | 49 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0% | Male, 36.0% Female, 64.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.8% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 9% |