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The differences between office associates and office administrators 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 office administrator. Additionally, an office administrator has an average salary of $37,423, 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 office administrator are customer service, patients, and data entry.
| Office Associate | Office Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $31,276 | $37,423 |
| Hourly rate | $15.04 | $17.99 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 80,214 | 118,096 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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.
Office associates and office administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Office Associate | Office Administrator | |
| Average salary | $31,276 | $37,423 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $39,000 | Between $28,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Persistent Systems | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Government |
There are a few differences between an office associate and an office administrator in terms of educational background:
| Office Associate | Office Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between office associates' and office administrators' demographics:
| Office Associate | Office Administrator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.9% Female, 75.1% | Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 7.9% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |