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Office associate vs administrative associate

The differences between office associates 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 associate and an administrative associate. Additionally, an administrative associate has an average salary of $34,873, which is higher than the $31,276 average annual salary of an office associate.

The top three skills for an office associate include customer service, patients and data entry. The most important skills for an administrative associate are administrative tasks, purchase orders, and customer service.

Office associate vs administrative associate overview

Office AssociateAdministrative Associate
Yearly salary$31,276$34,873
Hourly rate$15.04$16.77
Growth rate-5%-8%
Number of jobs80,21454,499
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4750
Years of experience22

What does an office associate do?

Office associates have varied duties and responsibilities within an organization. They are responsible for the cash management operation, customer service functions, and administrative services. Other responsibilities include organizing and maintaining files and documents, administering all bookkeeping activities, and managing the entire office. Office associates also oversee the overall human resource activities within an organization, such as handling employment forms and health insurance administration. The skills required for this position include communication skills, organizational skills, and active listening skills.

What does an administrative associate do?

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 associate vs administrative associate salary

Office associates and administrative associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Office AssociateAdministrative Associate
Average salary$31,276$34,873
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $23,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AKWashington, DC
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew York
Best paying companyPersistent SystemsLord Abbett
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between office associate and administrative associate education

There are a few differences between an office associate and an administrative associate in terms of educational background:

Office AssociateAdministrative Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Office associate vs administrative associate demographics

Here are the differences between office associates' and administrative associates' demographics:

Office AssociateAdministrative Associate
Average age4750
Gender ratioMale, 24.9% Female, 75.1%Male, 21.6% Female, 78.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 8.1% White, 57.8% 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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between office associate and administrative associate duties and responsibilities

Office associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage operational FedEx relationship through order fulfillment, shipment tracking, and communication with parties involve in shipment transaction.
  • Prepare complex PowerPoint presentations using sound and automate graphics.
  • Utilize PowerPoint and other graphics programs to develop supporting materials for presentations.
  • Arrange confidential documentation for patients and providers and correspond with providers regarding the status of their account.
  • Review payroll time sheets for accuracy and completeness and research discrepancies, enter data into computer system.
  • Design and implement a DoD program to improve transparency and accountability of combat equipment and procurement funding.
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Administrative associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage consultants' calendar, arrange travel, paid bills via QuickBooks software.
  • Support medical doctors, manage sensitive and confidential records pertaining to high risk patients with emphasis on accuracy.
  • Enter invoices in QuickBooks and P2P.
  • Fulfill medical record requests from patients, providers and insurance companies in a HIPAA compliant way.
  • Prepare PowerPoint presentations and address day to day general operations and office procedures.
  • Prepare PowerPoint & other digital media for presentations that are distributed to upper management.
  • Show more

Office associate vs administrative associate skills

Common office associate skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Office Equipment, 6%
  • Patient Appointments, 6%
  • Telephone Calls, 5%
Common administrative associate skills
  • Administrative Tasks, 12%
  • Purchase Orders, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Telephone Calls, 9%
  • Travel Arrangements, 9%
  • Patients, 8%

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