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Program and administrative assistant vs clerical/administrative assistant

The differences between program and administrative assistants and clerical/administrative assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a program and administrative assistant and a clerical/administrative assistant. Additionally, a program and administrative assistant has an average salary of $35,631, which is higher than the $30,983 average annual salary of a clerical/administrative assistant.

The top three skills for a program and administrative assistant include data entry, database management and powerpoint. The most important skills for a clerical/administrative assistant are data entry, word processing, and payroll.

Program and administrative assistant vs clerical/administrative assistant overview

Program And Administrative AssistantClerical/Administrative Assistant
Yearly salary$35,631$30,983
Hourly rate$17.13$14.90
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs119,53356,261
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

What does a program and administrative assistant do?

The Program and Administrative assistant work alongside a company's admin to manage all administrative tasks and activities. The program and administrative assistant work in both clerical duties and organizing files and storage. Included are making and receiving calls, setting, reminding, and following-up appointments, meetings, and events. The program and administrative assistant acts as the primary contact person of the administration and may be tasked to do a lot of clerical work. If you are interested in this position, you can start now.

What does a clerical/administrative assistant do?

An administrative assistant, also known as a secretary or office clerk, is someone who carries out daily clerical and administrative tasks. Admin assistants do a variety of tasks such as answering phone calls, organizing files, maintaining contacts, schedule meetings and appointments, and many more. Their task can be extensive, depending on the needs of operations and higher management. They serve as a gatekeeper of the company, so strong verbal and written communication skills are a must. They should also exhibit great organizational skills and time management since they act as the resource of the company.

Program and administrative assistant vs clerical/administrative assistant salary

Program and administrative assistants and clerical/administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Program And Administrative AssistantClerical/Administrative Assistant
Average salary$35,631$30,983
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $46,000Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateConnecticutWashington
Best paying companyUC Santa BarbaraUniversity of California
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between program and administrative assistant and clerical/administrative assistant education

There are a few differences between a program and administrative assistant and a clerical/administrative assistant in terms of educational background:

Program And Administrative AssistantClerical/Administrative Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Program and administrative assistant vs clerical/administrative assistant demographics

Here are the differences between program and administrative assistants' and clerical/administrative assistants' demographics:

Program And Administrative AssistantClerical/Administrative Assistant
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 15.7% Female, 84.3%Male, 14.5% Female, 85.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between program and administrative assistant and clerical/administrative assistant duties and responsibilities

Program and administrative assistant example 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.
  • Ensure that written correspondences including PowerPoint presentations adhere to procedural compliance, style composition, typing and grammatical accuracy.
  • Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
  • Show more

Clerical/administrative assistant example responsibilities.

  • Work with QuickBooks to manage store invoices and accounts.
  • Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA.
  • Support medical doctors, manage sensitive and confidential records pertaining to high risk patients with emphasis on accuracy.
  • Check patients in and out, EMR, collect co-pays, answer phones, and take patients to exam rooms.
  • Assist with preparing and printing of exhibits, spreadsheets and PowerPoint slides as needed.
  • Maintain payroll and expense information.
  • Show more

Program and administrative assistant vs clerical/administrative assistant skills

Common program and administrative assistant skills
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Database Management, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 7%
  • Routine Correspondence, 7%
  • Provides Administrative Support, 7%
  • Travel Arrangements, 5%
Common clerical/administrative assistant skills
  • Data Entry, 31%
  • Word Processing, 18%
  • Payroll, 14%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 4%
  • Clerical Support, 3%

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