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Media center assistant vs project assistant

The differences between media center assistants and project assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a media center assistant and a project assistant. Additionally, a project assistant has an average salary of $38,564, which is higher than the $31,047 average annual salary of a media center assistant.

The top three skills for a media center assistant include patients, basic math and CPR. The most important skills for a project assistant are data entry, powerpoint, and customer service.

Media center assistant vs project assistant overview

Media Center AssistantProject Assistant
Yearly salary$31,047$38,564
Hourly rate$14.93$18.54
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs68,23659,664
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

What does a media center assistant do?

A media center assistant is typically in charge of performing support tasks to maintain a smooth workflow in media centers. They often participate in planning and executing media projects and programs, process documentation, answer inquiries, manage the project and team members' schedules, conduct research and analysis, disseminate information, and liaise with internal and external parties. Furthermore, as an assistant, it is essential to monitor the progress of all operations while regularly reporting to managers and supervisors.

What does a project assistant do?

A project assistant's role mainly revolves around assisting a project manager. The responsibilities may vary upon the industry or organization. Still, most of them will be administrative tasks such as preparing reports and documentation, responding to calls and other forms of correspondence, and coordinating with various offices and personnel. Furthermore, a Project Assistant must also ensure the department's efficient workflow, proper utilization of budget, review documentation and schedules, attend meetings, and maintain an information database.

Media center assistant vs project assistant salary

Media center assistants and project assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Media Center AssistantProject Assistant
Average salary$31,047$38,564
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $44,000Between $25,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CityGardena, CAPortland, OR
Highest paying stateHawaiiOregon
Best paying companyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterAstraZeneca
Best paying industryEducationTechnology

Differences between media center assistant and project assistant education

There are a few differences between a media center assistant and a project assistant in terms of educational background:

Media Center AssistantProject Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Media center assistant vs project assistant demographics

Here are the differences between media center assistants' and project assistants' demographics:

Media Center AssistantProject Assistant
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 32.4% Female, 67.6%Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between media center assistant and project assistant duties and responsibilities

Media center assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage ALC interactive exhibition operations including ALC staff and guest services, gallery prep/maintenance and inventory of art materials.
  • Analyze print ads to ensure they run in accordance to the submitted proposal.
  • Inventory, assist with ordering new material, cataloging new material, cash handling.
  • Type or enter all book or magazine information in the appropriate format for cataloging and retrieval.
  • Perform other duties as assigned, including coordinating tutoring services, tutoring mathematics, planning events, etc.
  • Organize book-shelf, toys, and activity center to ensure cleanliness and operational use for next business day functions.
  • Show more

Project assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage SharePoint document repository and ensure that project managers comply with PMO policies.
  • Manage facilities by coordinating relocation of departments by using the facilities management database and VISIO.
  • Compose and balance departmental grants, tabulate and process payroll distribution, manage and maintain office routine during supervisor's absence.
  • Manage QA budget for assign projects by identifying actual and potential budget over-runs and under-runs, develop and monitor project/program plans.
  • Create a useful project tracking tool call JIRA.
  • Communicate with donors via phone, email, and twitter.
  • Show more

Media center assistant vs project assistant skills

Common media center assistant skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Basic Math, 7%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Data Entry, 5%
Common project assistant skills
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Meeting Minutes, 4%
  • Data Collection, 4%

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