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Senior administrative assistant vs administrative assistant

The differences between senior administrative assistants and administrative assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a senior administrative assistant, becoming an administrative assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior administrative assistant has an average salary of $46,790, which is higher than the $34,945 average annual salary of an administrative assistant.

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

Senior administrative assistant vs administrative assistant overview

Senior Administrative AssistantAdministrative Assistant
Yearly salary$46,790$34,945
Hourly rate$22.50$16.80
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs43,22665,769
Job satisfaction-4.14
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4950
Years of experience42

What does a senior administrative assistant do?

A senior administrative assistant's role is to accomplish clerical tasks to support senior managers. Such tasks involve preparing and processing documents, responding to inquiries and other forms of correspondence, arranging travel and appointments, attending meetings, and managing schedules. Furthermore, a senior administrative assistant must maintain a precise record system, serve as the main point of contact for office visitors, and prepare budget reports and other business plans. It is also essential to coordinate with various company personnel, ensuring accuracy in all activities and projects.

What does an administrative assistant do?

Administrative assistants, or admin assistants, do general clerical and administrative activities. Their duties involve organizing and maintaining files and records, preparing documents, scheduling meetings and appointments, and providing general support in the office. Administrative assistants handle incoming and outgoing official correspondences, take minutes of important meetings and manage calls to the main office number. They also assist executives in providing structure to their day by managing their schedule, drafting e-mails, and other activities that executives may need assistance in. Administrative assistants should have the following skills: organizing, business writing, decision-making, and communication.

Senior administrative assistant vs administrative assistant salary

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

Senior Administrative AssistantAdministrative Assistant
Average salary$46,790$34,945
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $62,000Between $26,000 And $46,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkCalifornia
Best paying companyJPMorgan Chase & Co.Westfield State University
Best paying industryPharmaceutical-

Differences between senior administrative assistant and administrative assistant education

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

Senior Administrative AssistantAdministrative Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Senior administrative assistant vs administrative assistant demographics

Here are the differences between senior administrative assistants' and administrative assistants' demographics:

Senior Administrative AssistantAdministrative Assistant
Average age4950
Gender ratioMale, 8.0% Female, 92.0%Male, 12.7% Female, 87.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage10%6%

Differences between senior administrative assistant and administrative assistant duties and responsibilities

Senior administrative assistant example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage RFP and proposal processes for various projects.
  • Manage branches fiscal transactions including A/P, A/R, payroll, petty cash, safeguard reconciliation, and corporate reporting.
  • Coordinate calendars, schedule meetings and manage associated logistics including domestic/international travel.
  • Scheduled/Coordinate enterprise-wide WebEx conferences, facilitate team meetings, and manage executive schedules and itineraries.
  • Manage and coordinate complex internal and external meetings and/or events via videoconferencing, WebEx and teleconference calls.
  • Manage upper level calendar scheduling, arrange domestic and international travel, prepare PowerPoint presentations, correspondence and process expense reports.
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Administrative assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage time and attendance using Kronos software for entire department.
  • Participate in national projects, manage new customer conversions to MCI from other carriers.
  • Manage FEDEX delivery requirements ensuring compliance with company policy.
  • Manage and update social media outlets including Facebook and LinkedIn.
  • Manage company finances using QuickBooks software, including monitoring the operating budget and collecting on unpaid invoices.
  • Manage and develop the daily clinical schedule for the in-patient rehabilitation staff taking into consideration Medicare guidelines and staffing ratios.
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Senior administrative assistant vs administrative assistant skills

Common senior administrative assistant skills
  • PowerPoint, 12%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Clerical Support, 5%
  • Patients, 4%
  • Provides Administrative Support, 4%
  • SVP, 3%
Common administrative assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Travel Arrangements, 5%
  • Database Management, 5%
  • Word Processing, 5%

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