Front desk administration vs office administrator

The differences between front desk administrations and office administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a front desk administration, becoming an office administrator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an office administrator has an average salary of $37,423, which is higher than the $34,479 average annual salary of a front desk administration.

The top three skills for a front desk administration include patients, phone calls and customer service. The most important skills for an office administrator are customer service, patients, and data entry.

Front desk administration vs office administrator overview

	Front Desk Administration	Office Administrator
Yearly salary	$34,479	$37,423
Hourly rate	$16.58	$17.99
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	67,462	118,096
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	2

What does a front desk administration do?

A front desk administration professional is responsible for performing administrative duties related to the front desk reception of an organization. This professional must assist in conferences and meetings as well as maintain inventory and costs for building and office supplies. The administration must coordinate front desk operations and maintain customer relationships by interacting with them in a professional and courteous manner. This professional must also handle phone calls and important documents by scanning and placing them in their designated files.

What does an office administrator do?

Office administrators are employees who ensure that the office is running in tip-top shape. They manage the administrative needs of the office. They answer calls directed to the official company phone, manage the inventory of supplies, take charge or purchase requisitions for needed supplies, and ensure the office equipment and fixtures are taken care of. Office administrators also manage correspondences, official memoranda, and other official company documents. They also keep track of files and records to ensure that these are properly organized. At times, office administrators also take charge of welcoming guests and accompanying them to their respective meetings.

Front desk administration vs office administrator salary

Front desk administrations and office administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Front Desk Administration	Office Administrator
Average salary	$34,479	$37,423
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $45,000	Between $28,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Washington	Alaska
Best paying company	Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory	Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Government

Differences between front desk administration and office administrator education

There are a few differences between a front desk administration and an office administrator in terms of educational background:

	Front Desk Administration	Office Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	Western Carolina University

Front desk administration vs office administrator demographics

Here are the differences between front desk administrations' and office administrators' demographics:

	Front Desk Administration	Office Administrator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0%	Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 5.2% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 7.9% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	6%

Differences between front desk administration and office administrator duties and responsibilities

Front desk administration example responsibilities.

Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality.
Used EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
Access and dispense medical records in compliance with HIPPA regulations.
Process paperwork for patient's file in accordance with HIPPA laws.
Assist patients in acquiring Medicaid coverage.
Maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.

Office administrator example responsibilities.

Monitor calls, manage calendars, travel, meeting arrangements, video conference and teleconferencing.
Formulate various procedures to assure efficient operation of the SharePoint system is managed properly for CFWB and BOS.
Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
Pull patients charts for doctors using EMR system as well as pulled chart from medical records room.
Create and update all departmental ISO documents.
Collect all outgoing FedEx overnight packages and ship with accurate tracking and conformation information.

Front desk administration vs office administrator skills

Common front desk administration skills

Patients, 18%
Phone Calls, 9%
Customer Service, 9%
Front Desk Operations, 8%
Data Entry, 7%
Telephone Calls, 4%

Common office administrator skills

Customer Service, 18%
Patients, 11%
Data Entry, 8%
Office Equipment, 5%
Front Desk, 4%
PowerPoint, 3%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Front Desk Administration
Front Desk Administration vs Office Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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