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Office associate vs administrative clerk

The differences between office associates and administrative clerks 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 clerk. Additionally, an administrative clerk has an average salary of $32,327, 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 clerk are customer service, data entry, and patients.

Office associate vs administrative clerk overview

Office AssociateAdministrative Clerk
Yearly salary$31,276$32,327
Hourly rate$15.04$15.54
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs80,214137,639
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age4747
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 clerk do?

An administrative clerk provides support to staff and does clerical works. These clerical duties include answering and making phone calls, typing documents, compiling and filing records, and scheduling appointments. The clerks often set up office meetings and invite reliable speakers. Also, they do research and prepare reports or presentations. Candidates for the job must be organized, detail-oriented, and can manage their time well. They must be tech-savvy and have a basic knowledge of bookkeeping. The salary depends on their experience, industry, and location of the job.

Office associate vs administrative clerk salary

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

Office AssociateAdministrative Clerk
Average salary$31,276$32,327
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AKSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyPersistent SystemsColumbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between office associate and administrative clerk education

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

Office AssociateAdministrative Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Office associate vs administrative clerk demographics

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

Office AssociateAdministrative Clerk
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 24.9% Female, 75.1%Male, 27.9% Female, 72.1%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 8.3% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between office associate and administrative clerk 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 clerk example responsibilities.

  • Orchestrate special events and reservations; manage customer relations and provide exemplary service to all customers.
  • Assist teachers with GED packets for students.
  • Ship orders via customers freight line request (ex.
  • Schedule and administer the GED exam upon the completion of the inmate's profile.
  • Enter data in spreadsheets for reports, auction items, payroll and monthly utility accounts.
  • Process all DMV registration, titles, title flips and plates using CVR and TriVin programs.
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Office associate vs administrative clerk skills

Common office associate skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Office Equipment, 6%
  • Patient Appointments, 6%
  • Telephone Calls, 5%
Common administrative clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Data Entry, 16%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Word Processing, 6%
  • Payroll Data, 5%
  • Database Systems, 4%

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