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Payroll secretary vs administrative specialist

The differences between payroll secretaries and administrative specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a payroll secretary and an administrative specialist. Additionally, a payroll secretary has an average salary of $52,677, which is higher than the $38,758 average annual salary of an administrative specialist.

The top three skills for a payroll secretary include purchase orders, payroll system and office equipment. The most important skills for an administrative specialist are customer service, data entry, and powerpoint.

Payroll secretary vs administrative specialist overview

Payroll SecretaryAdministrative Specialist
Yearly salary$52,677$38,758
Hourly rate$25.33$18.63
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs12,54371,227
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

Payroll secretary vs administrative specialist salary

Payroll secretaries and administrative specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Payroll SecretaryAdministrative Specialist
Average salary$52,677$38,758
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $69,000Between $25,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between payroll secretary and administrative specialist education

There are a few differences between a payroll secretary and an administrative specialist in terms of educational background:

Payroll SecretaryAdministrative Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaWestern Carolina University

Payroll secretary vs administrative specialist demographics

Here are the differences between payroll secretaries' and administrative specialists' demographics:

Payroll SecretaryAdministrative Specialist
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 5.9% Female, 94.1%Male, 24.4% Female, 75.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between payroll secretary and administrative specialist duties and responsibilities

Payroll secretary example responsibilities.

  • Lead DoD team that assist Pakistan in gaining military capabilities to conduct counter-terrorism operations against the Taliban.
  • Answer phones, work in Quickbooks to invoice, enter bills, generate computer checks and payroll.
  • Prepare discharges, enter all updates into OASAS system and review patient information to verify patients eligibility to receive transportation reimbursement.
  • Compile and summarize responses to subpoenas.

Administrative specialist example responsibilities.

  • Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
  • Process incoming and outgoing medical records with newly implement HIPAA requirements.
  • Maintain personnel records, electronic databases, oversee and administer department SharePoint website.
  • Redesign and reformat PowerPoint presentations, customize individual client presentations for specific look & feel.
  • Create and successfully implement a new faculty form to collect necessary information for payroll forms.
  • Conduct training of new personnel using spreadsheets & PowerPoint presentations to ensure compliance of organizational policies & procedures.
  • Show more

Payroll secretary vs administrative specialist skills

Common payroll secretary skills
  • Purchase Orders, 13%
  • Payroll System, 8%
  • Office Equipment, 7%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 6%
  • QuickBooks, 6%
  • Payroll Data, 6%
Common administrative specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Office Procedures, 5%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Payroll, 4%

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