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What does a Project Assistant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted Expert
Matthew Gilbert
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.

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Project assistant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real project assistant resumes:

  • 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.
  • Establish and maintain JIRA issue tracking database; direct several testing interns.
  • Implement parser and indexing algorithm in python to parse the data collect by crawler.
  • Maintain accurate and up to date logs (RFI, vendor/subcontractor, purchase, owner, etc . )
  • Compile bids and RFP technical specifications, addendums, RFI's, change orders, and maintain insurance certificates.
  • Provide never before facility to store the digitized input samples in MySQL and plotting them using matplotlib library in python.
  • Recommend improvements to product design and features which allows sharing of content on social media such as Facebook and twitter.
  • Prepare, collect and review regulatory document in preparation of IRB submission.
  • Design human machine interface and interactive procedures in Schneider PLC application projects.
  • Draft responses to external proposal questions and maintain project correspondence information in SharePoint.

Project assistant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Project Assistants are proficient in Data Entry, PowerPoint, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Organizational skills, and Writing skills.

We break down the percentage of Project Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Data Entry, 11%

    Reviewed financial documents for accuracy and completeness as well as performed data entry when necessary to update financial spreadsheets.

  • PowerPoint, 8%

    Provided word processing and PowerPoint presentations to Board of Directors, maintained training databases, communications to customers.

  • Customer Service, 8%

    Conducted research on a variety of topics, including facilities management, quality management, customer service, and organization assessment.

  • Project Management, 8%

    Led project management efforts for International Non-Government Organization (NGO) supporting executive management in active democracy projects in 60 countries.

  • Meeting Minutes, 4%

    Coordinated and attended project and corporate meetings as necessary and recorded and distributed meeting minutes when applicable.

  • Data Collection, 4%

    Purchased, configured and implemented computer-based technology for the production of multiple measurement instruments suitable for automated data collection.

Most project assistants use their skills in "data entry," "powerpoint," and "customer service" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential project assistant responsibilities here:

Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for a project assistant to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff." Additionally, a project assistant resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "organized, collaborative and self-motivated with excellent analytical, interpersonal and project management skills. "

Organizational skills. Many project assistant duties rely on organizational skills. "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently.," so a project assistant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways project assistant responsibilities rely on organizational skills: "created a computerized database and implemented new organizational systems for data entry, scheduling, and day-to-day operations. "

Writing skills. This is an important skill for project assistants to perform their duties. For an example of how project assistant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a project assistant: "reviewed and edited documents for 8 - 10 contractors writing protocols for fda compliance for a pharmaceutical start-up company. ".

Most common project assistant skills

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Compare different project assistants

Project assistant vs. Clerk's assistant/administrative assistant

A clerk's assistant/administrative assistant is responsible for supporting the company's operations and customers' needs by performing administrative and clerical duties as needed. Clerk's assistants/administrative assistants respond to customers' inquiries and concerns, acknowledging and processing orders, and posting their payments. They also sort company documents, manage office supply inventory, submit business transaction reports, schedule appointments, and operate office equipment. A clerk's assistant/administrative assistant must be very organized. They must also have excellent time-management and multitasking skills to perform office duties with high accuracy and efficiency under minimal supervision.

If we compare the average project assistant annual salary with that of a clerk's assistant/administrative assistant, we find that clerks's assistant/administrative assistant typically earn a $5,013 lower salary than project assistants make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between project assistants and clerks's assistant/administrative assistant are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like data entry, powerpoint, and customer service.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a project assistant are more likely to require skills like "project management," "data collection," "general contractors," and "assist project." On the other hand, a job as a clerk's assistant/administrative assistant requires skills like "telephone calls," "front desk," "scheduling appointments," and "dmv." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Clerks's assistant/administrative assistant tend to make the most money working in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $37,752. In contrast, project assistants make the biggest average salary, $49,238, in the technology industry.clerks's assistant/administrative assistant tend to reach lower levels of education than project assistants. In fact, clerks's assistant/administrative assistant are 9.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Project assistant vs. Administrative assistant and recruiter

An administrative assistant and recruiter's primary task is finding new personnel for a company. They provide accurate assessments of applicants, go over resumes, and select the best options. A recruiter works alongside supervisors and the human resources department to determine how to fill positions. Additionally, an administrative assistant and recruiter handles the data for applicants and newly recruited employees. They must be able to quickly discern talent, and they must have strong interpersonal and communication skills.

On average, administrative assistant and recruiters earn a $1,683 higher salary than project assistants a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Project assistants and administrative assistant and recruiters both require similar skills like "data entry," "powerpoint," and "word processing" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that project assistant responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "project management," "meeting minutes," and "data collection." But an administrative assistant and recruiter might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "background checks," "interview schedules," "recruitment process," and "drug screens."

Administrative assistant and recruiters may earn a higher salary than project assistants, but administrative assistant and recruiters earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $54,329. On the other hand, project assistants receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $49,238.In general, administrative assistant and recruiters achieve lower levels of education than project assistants. They're 7.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Project Assistants in the next 3-5 years?

Matthew Gilbert

Lecturer of Marketing, Coastal Carolina University

Marketing is at the intersection of creativity and technology, so it is difficult to identify an individual initiative that could be crowned king for the next 3 to 5 years. However, a list of technology, tools, and techniques at the forefront of marketing includes artificial intelligence, augmented reality, automation, big data, blockchain, chatbots, interactive content, geofencing, social commerce, and video search.

Project assistant vs. Administrative assistant/technical

An administrative assistant/technical is primarily responsible for performing clerical and support tasks in a company, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. They must produce progress reports, process documentation, receive communication letters, manage schedules, and even greet visitors. There are also instances when an administrative assistant/technical has to answer calls and correspondence, respond to inquiries, address issues and concerns, and resolve them promptly and professionally. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain records of all transactions, coordinate with different departments, and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.

An average administrative assistant/technical eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of project assistants. The difference in salaries amounts to administrative assistant/technicals earning a $3,977 higher average salary than project assistants.project assistants and administrative assistant/technicals both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "data entry," "powerpoint," and "meeting minutes," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from project assistant resumes include skills like "customer service," "project management," "data collection," and "general contractors," whereas an administrative assistant/technical is more likely to list skills in "patients," "access database," "scheduling appointments," and "calendar management. "

Administrative assistant/technicals earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $42,925. Project assistants earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $49,238.administrative assistant/technicals typically earn lower educational levels compared to project assistants. Specifically, they're 8.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Project assistant vs. Administrative assistant/scheduler

Administrative assistants/schedulers schedule company appointments and meetings, answer phone calls, and forward them to relevant staff members. They take meeting minutes and notes, order and take office supplies stock, and prepare documents for business trips and meetings. Besides finding methods to enhance administrative processes, administrative assistants/schedulers also help senior staff or other teams to write and issue emails to team members and company departments. Moreover, these professionals research and book the staff's travel arrangements.

Administrative assistant/schedulers average a lower salary than the annual salary of project assistants. The difference is about $540 per year.While their salaries may vary, project assistants and administrative assistant/schedulers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "data entry," "powerpoint," and "customer service. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between project assistants and administrative assistant/schedulers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a project assistant might have more use for skills like "project management," "data collection," "purchase orders," and "general contractors." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of administrative assistant/schedulers require skills like "patients," "excellent interpersonal," "patient care," and "schedule appointments. "

In general, administrative assistant/schedulers earn the most working in the construction industry, with an average salary of $39,696. The highest-paying industry for a project assistant is the technology industry.administrative assistant/schedulers reach lower levels of education compared to project assistants, in general. The difference is that they're 9.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of project assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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