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The differences between office administrators and administrative associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an office administrator and an administrative associate. Additionally, an office administrator has an average salary of $37,423, which is higher than the $34,873 average annual salary of an administrative associate.
The top three skills for an office administrator include customer service, patients and data entry. The most important skills for an administrative associate are administrative tasks, purchase orders, and customer service.
| Office Administrator | Administrative Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $37,423 | $34,873 |
| Hourly rate | $17.99 | $16.77 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 118,096 | 54,499 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 47 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
An administrative associate is responsible for performing various tasks such as handling and processing paperwork, attending meetings and preparing minutes, responding to inquiries and other forms of correspondence, keeping accurate records, updating databases, and monitoring the company's financial activities. They also communicate with various department personnel, ensuring coordination should any important matter would arise. Furthermore, as an administrative associate, they are in charge of procuring supplies, implementing company policies, and supporting any staff members if needed.
Office administrators and administrative associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Office Administrator | Administrative Associate | |
| Average salary | $37,423 | $34,873 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $48,000 | Between $23,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New York |
| Best paying company | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | Lord Abbett |
| Best paying industry | Government | Finance |
There are a few differences between an office administrator and an administrative associate in terms of educational background:
| Office Administrator | Administrative Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between office administrators' and administrative associates' demographics:
| Office Administrator | Administrative Associate | |
| Average age | 47 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3% | Male, 21.6% Female, 78.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |