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The differences between executives and administrative assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become an executive, becoming an administrative assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an executive has an average salary of $108,285, which is higher than the $34,945 average annual salary of an administrative assistant.
The top three skills for an executive include customer service, digital transformation and healthcare. The most important skills for an administrative assistant are customer service, data entry, and powerpoint.
| Executive | Administrative Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $108,285 | $34,945 |
| Hourly rate | $52.06 | $16.80 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 83,869 | 65,769 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.14 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 52 | 50 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
An Executive's responsibilities vary depending on an organization or company. However, most of the time, it involves a great deal of leadership and communication. An Executive must oversee and direct employees towards particular sets of goals and vision, create strategies and plans that will benefit the company's financial gains and workforce, and as well as evaluate and analyze the progress of various company departments. Moreover, an Executive holds the power of decision-making, such as in the aspects of budget, promotions, and policies.
Administrative assistants, or admin assistants, do general clerical and administrative activities. Their duties involve organizing and maintaining files and records, preparing documents, scheduling meetings and appointments, and providing general support in the office. Administrative assistants handle incoming and outgoing official correspondences, take minutes of important meetings and manage calls to the main office number. They also assist executives in providing structure to their day by managing their schedule, drafting e-mails, and other activities that executives may need assistance in. Administrative assistants should have the following skills: organizing, business writing, decision-making, and communication.
Executives and administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Executive | Administrative Assistant | |
| Average salary | $108,285 | $34,945 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $184,000 | Between $26,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | Providence, RI | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Capgemini | Westfield State University |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between an executive and an administrative assistant in terms of educational background:
| Executive | Administrative Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between executives' and administrative assistants' demographics:
| Executive | Administrative Assistant | |
| Average age | 52 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.0% Female, 44.0% | Male, 12.7% Female, 87.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 7.6% White, 76.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 6% |