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Senior office assistant vs administrative office specialist

The differences between senior office assistants and administrative office specialists 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 office assistant, becoming an administrative office specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an administrative office specialist has an average salary of $35,177, which is higher than the $34,082 average annual salary of a senior office assistant.

The top three skills for a senior office assistant include data entry, patients and office procedures. The most important skills for an administrative office specialist are customer service, data entry, and word processing.

Senior office assistant vs administrative office specialist overview

Senior Office AssistantAdministrative Office Specialist
Yearly salary$34,082$35,177
Hourly rate$16.39$16.91
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs77,39096,945
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4950
Years of experience42

What does a senior office assistant do?

A senior office assistant performs clerical support tasks to maintain the smooth flow of operations in an office. Their responsibilities typically include supervising junior assistants, conducting research and analysis, preparing and processing documents, answering calls and correspondence, arranging schedules and events, confirming appointments, and helping staff as needed. They must also maintain an active communication line with different departments and participate in various projects. Moreover, as a senior office assistant, they must lead and serve as a role model to junior office assistants, all while implementing and promoting the company's policies and regulations.

What does an administrative office specialist do?

An administrative office specialist helps offices to run efficiently and smoothly by performing clerical support tasks. Their responsibilities often include preparing and processing documents, arranging meetings and appointments, monitoring the budgets and expenditures, answering calls and correspondence, handling the inventory and procurement of office supplies, and developing strategies to optimize office operations. They may also address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and professionally. Furthermore, as an administrative office specialist, it is essential to coordinate staff, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Senior office assistant vs administrative office specialist salary

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

Senior Office AssistantAdministrative Office Specialist
Average salary$34,082$35,177
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $44,000Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyBrigham and Women's HospitalUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between senior office assistant and administrative office specialist education

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

Senior Office AssistantAdministrative Office Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Senior office assistant vs administrative office specialist demographics

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

Senior Office AssistantAdministrative Office Specialist
Average age4950
Gender ratioMale, 17.3% Female, 82.7%Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 4.0% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage10%6%

Differences between senior office assistant and administrative office specialist duties and responsibilities

Senior office assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage and update social media outlets including Facebook and LinkedIn.
  • Help implement EMR and eScript.
  • Design photo display boards, CD covers and PowerPoint presentations for educational purposes.
  • Obtain insurance/payment information from patients.
  • Communicate effectively pertinent information to Medical/Office staff and patients.
  • Create and maintain time cards for several individuals and submit payroll requisitions.
  • Show more

Administrative office specialist example responsibilities.

  • Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
  • Develop PowerPoint presentations for seminars and workshops.
  • Prepare briefings for senior level management using Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Prepare bi-weekly payroll reports and special cost analyses and forecasting.
  • Coordinate accessibility into main office building along with identification badge and process direct deposit via state guidelines for payroll.
  • Coordinate travel arrangements in DTS; schedule mode of transportation, prepare trip folders, arrange lodging reservations and develop itineraries.
  • Show more

Senior office assistant vs administrative office specialist skills

Common senior office assistant skills
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Office Procedures, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Word Processing, 6%
  • Telephone Calls, 6%
Common administrative office specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 27%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Word Processing, 6%
  • Payroll, 3%
  • PowerPoint, 3%
  • Phone Calls, 3%

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