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The differences between program support assistants and administrative support assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a program support assistant, becoming an administrative support assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a program support assistant has an average salary of $41,107, which is higher than the $36,341 average annual salary of an administrative support assistant.
The top three skills for a program support assistant include patients, veterans and program support. The most important skills for an administrative support assistant are customer service, provides administrative support, and data entry.
| Program Support Assistant | Administrative Support Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $41,107 | $36,341 |
| Hourly rate | $19.76 | $17.47 |
| Growth rate | 12% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 163,716 | 118,512 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 43 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
A program support assistant is responsible for performing administrative functions to ensure a program's smooth operations. Program support assistants organize the necessary documents, create the expense sheet, respond to the clients' inquiries and concerns, negotiate with vendors and suppliers, and conduct data analysis. They also act as a liaison between the clients and the senior planners to resolve issues and address the clients' requests. A program support assistant maintains the accuracy of client information on the database and regularly updates the clients' files as needed.
Administrative support assistants are individuals who provide support to employees and managers. They provide assistance in general functions in various administrative or academic units. Their primary duties involve the management and dissemination of information within an organization. They take memos, maintain files, and answer phone calls. They should develop skills in technology, written and verbal communication, independence, and organization. Excellent skills in problem-solving, time management, and attention to detail are also important.
Program support assistants and administrative support assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Support Assistant | Administrative Support Assistant | |
| Average salary | $41,107 | $36,341 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $54,000 | Between $29,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | SeaTac, WA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | New York State Restaurant Association | Brookhaven National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a program support assistant and an administrative support assistant in terms of educational background:
| Program Support Assistant | Administrative Support Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between program support assistants' and administrative support assistants' demographics:
| Program Support Assistant | Administrative Support Assistant | |
| Average age | 43 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.7% Female, 72.3% | Male, 16.6% Female, 83.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.5% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 6% |