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The differences between program support assistants and support associates 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 a support associate takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a support associate has an average salary of $47,039, which is higher than the $41,107 average annual salary of a program support assistant.
The top three skills for a program support assistant include patients, veterans and program support. The most important skills for a support associate are sales floor, computer system, and POS.
| Program Support Assistant | Support Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $41,107 | $47,039 |
| Hourly rate | $19.76 | $22.61 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 163,716 | 100,892 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| 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.
The primary role of sales support associates is to help sales staff and customers during the sales process. A sales support associate also performs other tasks that include maintaining positive customer relations, responding to customers' requests for quotes, information, and specifications, and, initiating contact with prospective customers. They are also responsible for coordinating proposals, sales literature production, and presentations. Requirements for this position include a high school diploma or general education development, administrative and communication skills, and organizational skills.
Program support assistants and support associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Support Assistant | Support Associate | |
| Average salary | $41,107 | $47,039 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $54,000 | Between $26,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | New York State Restaurant Association | Apollo Global Management |
| Best paying industry | Government | - |
There are a few differences between a program support assistant and a support associate in terms of educational background:
| Program Support Assistant | Support Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between program support assistants' and support associates' demographics:
| Program Support Assistant | Support Associate | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.7% Female, 72.3% | Male, 36.7% Female, 63.3% |
| 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, 11.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |