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The differences between operations directors and executive assistant/office managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an operations director, becoming an executive assistant/office manager takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an operations director has an average salary of $104,050, which is higher than the $59,405 average annual salary of an executive assistant/office manager.
The top three skills for an operations director include customer service, continuous improvement and oversight. The most important skills for an executive assistant/office manager are customer service, financial reports, and office equipment.
| Operations Director | Executive Assistant/Office Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $104,050 | $59,405 |
| Hourly rate | $50.02 | $28.56 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 114,993 | 119,266 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 44 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
Operations directors oversee all company operations. They have the power to set the direction, change the course of the organization, and reform strategies to ensure efficiency in how the company operates. Operations directors manage business operations effectively by constantly analyzing company data and by anticipating any challenge that may come their way. As such, they make sound business decisions and recommendations that will help strengthen the organization. Operations directors oversee finances, quality control, and even human resources. They ensure that all aspects of the business are considered in making business operations decisions.
An executive assistant/office manager specializes in administrative support tasks within an office or an organization. One of their primary responsibilities includes assisting the director or head of an office by responding to calls and inquiries, handling correspondence, arranging appointments and meetings, managing schedules, and reporting necessary updates. They must also monitor inventory and procure necessary supplies, process documentation, and perform other tasks to support staff. Furthermore, an executive assistant/office manager may take part in the preparations and approval of the payroll, budget, and other necessary databases concerning employees and departments.
Operations directors and executive assistant/office managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Operations Director | Executive Assistant/Office Manager | |
| Average salary | $104,050 | $59,405 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $164,000 | Between $39,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Real Estate |
There are a few differences between an operations director and an executive assistant/office manager in terms of educational background:
| Operations Director | Executive Assistant/Office Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between operations directors' and executive assistant/office managers' demographics:
| Operations Director | Executive Assistant/Office Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.6% Female, 29.4% | Male, 11.9% Female, 88.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |