How To Become A Program Support Assistant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a program support assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A program support assistant supports an organization or institution's program with administrative and clerical tasks. His/Her clerical duties include managing correspondence, making travel arrangements, and maintaining files. He/She may manage communications and negotiations with clients, supervisors, or other parties outside the program. Also, he/she may be tasked with writing brochures, newsletters, and reports. He/She serves as the primary contact for program procedures and policies. Furthermore, he/she represents the organization on matters relating to the program. Additionally, he/she performs other tasks as required by superiors. Besides that, he/she may train program employees and clients.

A high school diploma or its equivalent is often required for this position. However, most employers prefer prior working experience in a similar role. Candidates must possess communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, organization, negotiation, time management, and multitasking skills. You must be proficient in Microsoft Office. Program support assistants make about $44,534 per annum. This ranges from $35,000 to $57,000.

ScoreProgram Support AssistantUS Average

Salary

3.2

Avg. Salary $41,107

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.9

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.20%

Asian 6.53%

Black or African American 13.93%

Hispanic or Latino 17.68%

Unknown 5.21%

White 54.45%

Gender

female 72.33%

male 27.67%

Age - 43

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 - 43

Stress level

8.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a program support assistant

Explore program support assistant education requirements

Most common program support assistant degrees

Bachelor's

49.0 %

Associate

23.0 %

High School Diploma

10.3 %

Start to develop specific program support assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	13.56%
Veterans	10.21%
Program Support	8.38%
Customer Service	8.00%
Rehabilitation	5.33%

Complete relevant program support assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New program support 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 support assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real program support assistant resumes.

Research program support assistant duties and responsibilities

Create reports, graphs, and PowerPoint presentations for special projects.
Design and implement new web pages for all libraries in the district using HTML.
Perform student information management application updates and maintain SharePoint log.
Ensure all timekeeping data are accurate and produce routine timekeeping reports as requested.

Prepare your program support assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your program support 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 support 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 support assistant resume templates

Build a professional program support 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 support assistant resume.