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The differences between office administrators and administrative office specialists 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 office specialist. Additionally, an office administrator has an average salary of $37,423, which is higher than the $35,177 average annual salary of an administrative office specialist.
The top three skills for an office administrator include customer service, patients and data entry. The most important skills for an administrative office specialist are customer service, data entry, and word processing.
| Office Administrator | Administrative Office Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $37,423 | $35,177 |
| Hourly rate | $17.99 | $16.91 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 118,096 | 96,945 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| 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 office specialist helps offices to run efficiently and smoothly by performing clerical support tasks. Their responsibilities often include preparing and processing documents, arranging meetings and appointments, monitoring the budgets and expenditures, answering calls and correspondence, handling the inventory and procurement of office supplies, and developing strategies to optimize office operations. They may also address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and professionally. Furthermore, as an administrative office specialist, it is essential to coordinate staff, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Office administrators and administrative office specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Office Administrator | Administrative Office Specialist | |
| Average salary | $37,423 | $35,177 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $48,000 | Between $28,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | Government | Technology |
There are a few differences between an office administrator and an administrative office specialist in terms of educational background:
| Office Administrator | Administrative Office Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between office administrators' and administrative office specialists' demographics:
| Office Administrator | Administrative Office Specialist | |
| Average age | 47 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3% | Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7% |
| 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, 10.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 4.0% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |