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The differences between office associates and office receptionists 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 receptionist. Additionally, an office receptionist has an average salary of $33,554, 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 receptionist are patients, customer service, and phone calls.
| Office Associate | Office Receptionist | |
| Yearly salary | $31,276 | $33,554 |
| Hourly rate | $15.04 | $16.13 |
| Growth rate | -5% | - |
| Number of jobs | 80,214 | 80,143 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Average age | 47 | 42 |
| 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.
An office receptionist, or administrative assistant, performs various administrative tasks for an organization. These tasks may include answering phone calls, providing the public and customers with information, and warmly welcoming, greeting, and directing visitors or guests accordingly. Additionally, an office receptionist is responsible for maintaining security by issuing visitor badges, monitoring logbooks, and following procedures. Administrative assistants are also responsible for preparing and processing travel vouchers and other documents. Some employers prefer someone with a college or bachelor's degree, telephone skills, and excellent communication skills.
Office associates and office receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Office Associate | Office Receptionist | |
| Average salary | $31,276 | $33,554 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $39,000 | Between $27,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Persistent Systems | Dairy Farmers of America |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an office associate and an office receptionist in terms of educational background:
| Office Associate | Office Receptionist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between office associates' and office receptionists' demographics:
| Office Associate | Office Receptionist | |
| Average age | 47 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.9% Female, 75.1% | Male, 9.5% Female, 90.5% |
| 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, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |