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Project assistant vs administrative support assistant

The differences between project assistants and administrative support 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 project assistant and an administrative support assistant. Additionally, a project assistant has an average salary of $38,564, which is higher than the $36,341 average annual salary of an administrative support assistant.

The top three skills for a project assistant include data entry, powerpoint and customer service. The most important skills for an administrative support assistant are customer service, provides administrative support, and data entry.

Project assistant vs administrative support assistant overview

Project AssistantAdministrative Support Assistant
Yearly salary$38,564$36,341
Hourly rate$18.54$17.47
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs59,664118,512
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

What does a project assistant do?

A project assistant's role mainly revolves around assisting a project manager. The responsibilities may vary upon the industry or organization. Still, most of them will be administrative tasks such as preparing reports and documentation, responding to calls and other forms of correspondence, and coordinating with various offices and personnel. Furthermore, a Project Assistant must also ensure the department's efficient workflow, proper utilization of budget, review documentation and schedules, attend meetings, and maintain an information database.

What does an administrative support assistant do?

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.

Project assistant vs administrative support assistant salary

Project assistants and administrative support assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project AssistantAdministrative Support Assistant
Average salary$38,564$36,341
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $57,000Between $29,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ORSeaTac, WA
Highest paying stateOregonHawaii
Best paying companyAstraZenecaBrookhaven National Laboratory
Best paying industryTechnologyGovernment

Differences between project assistant and administrative support assistant education

There are a few differences between a project assistant and an administrative support assistant in terms of educational background:

Project AssistantAdministrative Support Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Project assistant vs administrative support assistant demographics

Here are the differences between project assistants' and administrative support assistants' demographics:

Project AssistantAdministrative Support Assistant
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 32.9% Female, 67.1%Male, 16.6% Female, 83.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between project assistant and administrative support assistant duties and responsibilities

Project assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage SharePoint document repository and ensure that project managers comply with PMO policies.
  • Manage facilities by coordinating relocation of departments by using the facilities management database and VISIO.
  • Compose and balance departmental grants, tabulate and process payroll distribution, manage and maintain office routine during supervisor's absence.
  • Manage QA budget for assign projects by identifying actual and potential budget over-runs and under-runs, develop and monitor project/program plans.
  • Create a useful project tracking tool call JIRA.
  • Communicate with donors via phone, email, and twitter.
  • Show more

Administrative support assistant example responsibilities.

  • Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
  • Coordinate highly confidential and sensitive material relate to employee relations, payroll and personnel actions.
  • Complete diverse administrative tasks accurately and efficiently including verification of insurance information, payroll administration, and coordination of department meetings.
  • Create PowerPoint's of upcoming activities/events to distribute to departments/teams.
  • Interview patients and determine primary need of interest by providing assistance to other responsible personnel.
  • Maintain a database with confidential information regarding patients and providing medication for the HIV/AIDS section.
  • Show more

Project assistant vs administrative support assistant skills

Common project assistant skills
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Meeting Minutes, 4%
  • Data Collection, 4%
Common administrative support assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Provides Administrative Support, 6%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Travel Arrangements, 4%
  • Phone Calls, 4%

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