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The differences between office administrators and office managers/receptionist can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an office administrator, becoming an office manager/receptionist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an office manager/receptionist has an average salary of $39,696, which is higher than the $37,423 average annual salary of an office administrator.
The top three skills for an office administrator include customer service, patients and data entry. The most important skills for an office manager/receptionist are patients, customer service, and payroll.
| Office Administrator | Office Manager/Receptionist | |
| Yearly salary | $37,423 | $39,696 |
| Hourly rate | $17.99 | $19.08 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 118,096 | 58,318 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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 office manager/receptionist specializes in performing administrative duties in an office or department. One of their primary responsibilities is to greet visitors or clients, answer inquiries, respond to calls and correspondence, arrange appointments, manage schedules, and receive documents or messages. They may also assess staff performance, disseminate information, delegate tasks, and provide support for team members. Furthermore, should there be any issues, it is essential to address and resolve them, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.
Office administrators and office managers/receptionist have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Office Administrator | Office Manager/Receptionist | |
| Average salary | $37,423 | $39,696 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $48,000 | Between $27,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | - |
| Best paying industry | Government | - |
There are a few differences between an office administrator and an office manager/receptionist in terms of educational background:
| Office Administrator | Office Manager/Receptionist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between office administrators' and office managers/receptionist' demographics:
| Office Administrator | Office Manager/Receptionist | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3% | Male, 7.0% Female, 93.0% |
| 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, 10.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 5.2% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |