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What is a program and administrative assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Anne McConnell Ph.D.
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Program and Administrative Assistants provide support to team members while working on projects. They often work in non-profit organizations. Program Administrative Assistants often perform research, create training documents, and do data entry tasks in addition to other jobs as assigned. As a Program and Administrative Assistant, you will handle many tasks, and you need strong computer skills. You will use programs like Microsoft Office to organize apps, and you need to be up on the current tech trends and software. You need to continually refresh your computer skills.

You may need to keep a live calendar for upper management and know how to schedule conference rooms, travel, and general meetings. You need to know email apps, spreadsheet software, presentation software, digital publishing, design software, and document creating software and productivity apps. You will need at least a high school diploma, GED, or an associate degree, and you may also require a bachelor's degree in business. You can make a year's salary of $40,000.

What general advice would you give to a program and administrative assistant?

Anne McConnell Ph.D.

Professor, West Virginia State University

I would say it's important to be very attentive to the way you communicate with your employers, managers, and co-workers. Even sending an e-mail can be an opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism and communication skills. Some people think that no one knows how to write anymore, or how to communicate in a professional way. I don't think that's true. But we don't always think about how our writing can be a tool to communicate our competence and seriousness. If you know how to write and communicate professionally-which college grads do-then make sure to demonstrate that in the workplace.
ScoreProgram And Administrative AssistantUS Average
Salary
2.8

Avg. Salary $35,631

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.0

Growth rate -8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.73%

Asian 3.81%

Black or African American 9.15%

Hispanic or Latino 16.03%

Unknown 3.87%

White 66.41%

Gender

female 84.33%

male 15.67%

Age - 52
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 52
Stress level
6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.4

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Program and administrative assistant career paths

Key steps to become a program and administrative assistant

  1. Explore program and administrative assistant education requirements

    Most common program and administrative assistant degrees

    Bachelor's

    56.7 %

    Associate

    22.0 %

    Master's

    7.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific program and administrative assistant skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Data Entry9.36%
    Database Management7.32%
    PowerPoint7.19%
    Routine Correspondence7.02%
    Provides Administrative Support6.61%
  3. Complete relevant program and administrative assistant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New program and administrative assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a program and administrative assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real program and administrative assistant resumes.
  4. Gain additional program and administrative assistant certifications

    Program and administrative assistant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific program and administrative assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for program and administrative assistants include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research program and administrative assistant duties and responsibilities

    • Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
    • Work hand-in-hand with payroll director and maintain personnel and statistical reports for monthly review by regional director.
    • Perform business office duties, such as payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable, and balance all accounts monthly.
    • Archive and organize program documents using SharePoint.
  6. Prepare your program and administrative assistant resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your program and administrative assistant resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a program and administrative assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable program and administrative assistant resume templates

    Build a professional program and administrative assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your program and administrative assistant resume.
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  7. Apply for program and administrative assistant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a program and administrative assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first program and administrative assistant job

Zippi

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Average program and administrative assistant salary

The average program and administrative assistant salary in the United States is $35,631 per year or $17 per hour. Program and administrative assistant salaries range between $27,000 and $46,000 per year.

Average program and administrative assistant salary
$35,631 Yearly
$17.13 hourly

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How do program and administrative assistants rate their job?

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Program and administrative assistant reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

Writing a message,Organizing receipts and expenses and sending them out when needed

Cons

Failure to comply with working hours, theft and fraud,


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

It my passion to help people in need. It makes me feel good to see people the Youth do well in the life

Cons

I don't like to see anyone stuck in between and not being helped.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Cons

phones - because of my accent

Pros

everything except phones : Meeting,greeting, customer service, interviewing, on boarding, recruiting, presenting, etc.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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