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Senior secretary vs administrative support

The differences between senior secretaries and administrative supports 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 secretary, becoming an administrative support takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an administrative support has an average salary of $37,692, which is higher than the $33,120 average annual salary of a senior secretary.

The top three skills for a senior secretary include patients, routine correspondence and data entry. The most important skills for an administrative support are customer service, administrative tasks, and data entry.

Senior secretary vs administrative support overview

Senior SecretaryAdministrative Support
Yearly salary$33,120$37,692
Hourly rate$15.92$18.12
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs37,284114,480
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4950
Years of experience42

What does a senior secretary do?

A Senior Secretary is responsible for maintaining office records, receiving and directing telephone calls, and writing various reports for managers. They also schedule appointments and meetings for supervisors and assist in the process of new hires.

What does an administrative support do?

Administrative support specialists provide different types of governmental assistance. They carry out varied clerical duties in almost all industries. Most of these duties revolve around supervising and distributing information within an organization. This typically includes taking memos, answering phone calls, and managing, storing, and organizing files. They are also responsible for receiving and sending correspondence and greeting customers and clients. Some administrative support may be required to have vast professional knowledge as their duties are more specialized than the others.

Senior secretary vs administrative support salary

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

Senior SecretaryAdministrative Support
Average salary$33,120$37,692
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $40,000Between $26,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateHawaiiRhode Island
Best paying companyColumbia University in the City of New YorkPacific Investment Management Company LLC
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalTechnology

Differences between senior secretary and administrative support education

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

Senior SecretaryAdministrative Support
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Senior secretary vs administrative support demographics

Here are the differences between senior secretaries' and administrative supports' demographics:

Senior SecretaryAdministrative Support
Average age4950
Gender ratioMale, 5.9% Female, 94.1%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
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, 9.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage10%6%

Differences between senior secretary and administrative support duties and responsibilities

Senior secretary example responsibilities.

  • Manage high volume of requests and correspondence from executives and colleagues, pharmaceutical representatives, patients and outside physicians.
  • Prepare PowerPoint presentations, complete statistical reports, and convert reports to various formats.
  • Maintain confidentiality of all payroll documents and office files.
  • Compile and distribute customer updates for payroll software programs and telecommunications networks.
  • Maintain databases, prepare PowerPoint presentations, maintain inventory and requisition supplies for the department.
  • Demonstrate professional integrity and tactful handling of confidential and protect health information according to HIPAA and administrative policy guidelines.
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Administrative support example responsibilities.

  • Manage company finances using QuickBooks software, including monitoring the operating budget and collecting on unpaid invoices.
  • Interview veterans to determine issues/concerns and recommend services.
  • Mail VA benefits correspondence to veterans and various organizations.
  • Prepare payroll packages for distribution and delivery, including collating and packing of documents.
  • Research and maintain reference library with ADAPCP in support of prevention and rehabilitation efforts.
  • Develop SharePoint training of project personal and create operating procedures, training documents and briefings.
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Senior secretary vs administrative support skills

Common senior secretary skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Routine Correspondence, 11%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Telephone Calls, 6%
  • Office Equipment, 6%
  • Payroll, 5%
Common administrative support skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Administrative Tasks, 8%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 6%
  • Patients, 5%

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