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The differences between program support assistants and support clerks 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 clerk takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a program support assistant has an average salary of $41,107, which is higher than the $35,159 average annual salary of a support clerk.
The top three skills for a program support assistant include patients, veterans and program support. The most important skills for a support clerk are customer service, data entry, and patients.
| Program Support Assistant | Support Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $41,107 | $35,159 |
| Hourly rate | $19.76 | $16.90 |
| Growth rate | 12% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 163,716 | 163,168 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| 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.
A support clerk is primarily in charge of performing administrative support tasks in an office, making the daily workflow easier. Their responsibilities typically include preparing and processing documentation, answering and forwarding calls, handling correspondence, disseminating and organizing files, and running errands as needed. They may also update databases, maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a support clerk, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating to ensure efficient and smooth workplace operations.
Program support assistants and support clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Support Assistant | Support Clerk | |
| Average salary | $41,107 | $35,159 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $54,000 | Between $22,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Diego, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | New York State Restaurant Association | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a program support assistant and a support clerk in terms of educational background:
| Program Support Assistant | Support Clerk | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between program support assistants' and support clerks' demographics:
| Program Support Assistant | Support Clerk | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.7% Female, 72.3% | Male, 26.1% Female, 73.9% |
| 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, 10.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 8.4% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 6% |