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Office associate vs clerical associate

The differences between office associates and clerical 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 a clerical associate. Additionally, an office associate has an average salary of $31,276, which is higher than the $30,024 average annual salary of a clerical associate.

The top three skills for an office associate include customer service, patients and data entry. The most important skills for a clerical associate are patients, data entry, and customer service.

Office associate vs clerical associate overview

Office AssociateClerical Associate
Yearly salary$31,276$30,024
Hourly rate$15.04$14.43
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs80,21478,648
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
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 a clerical associate do?

A clerical associate is someone who carries out administrative tasks. Clerical associates photocopy, distribute mail, put together mailings, send faxes, respond to emails, and type letters. The associate's order office supplies, convey messages to staff members, handle payroll, and manage conference rooms. They check records for information accuracy and policy and procedure conformity. It is part of their responsibilities to perform projects for patient care facilitation. Also, they provide support to the mental health clinic in terms of patient care and satisfaction survey distribution and collection.

Office associate vs clerical associate salary

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

Office AssociateClerical Associate
Average salary$31,276$30,024
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AKBakersfield, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyPersistent SystemsGBS
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between office associate and clerical associate education

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

Office AssociateClerical Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Office associate vs clerical associate demographics

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

Office AssociateClerical Associate
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 24.9% Female, 75.1%Male, 20.3% Female, 79.7%
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, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.0% Asian, 7.7% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between office associate and clerical 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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Clerical associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage operational FedEx relationship through order fulfillment, shipment tracking, and communication with parties involve in shipment transaction.
  • Apply ICD-9, CPT and HCPCS codes for outpatient treatments.
  • Obtain and properly distributes messages using EMR.
  • Fax radiology reports and make calls regarding abnormal reports.
  • Coordinate patient radiology exams as well as patient procedures.
  • Update clinical records associate with patient visits in MYSIS EMR system.
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Office associate vs clerical associate skills

Common office associate skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Office Equipment, 6%
  • Patient Appointments, 6%
  • Telephone Calls, 5%
Common clerical associate skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Phone Calls, 5%
  • Clerical Functions, 5%
  • Patient Care, 5%

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