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Word processing secretary vs administrative associate

The differences between word processing secretaries and administrative associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a word processing secretary and an administrative associate. Additionally, a word processing secretary has an average salary of $43,970, which is higher than the $34,873 average annual salary of an administrative associate.

The top three skills for a word processing secretary include scheduling appointments, telephone calls and travel arrangements. The most important skills for an administrative associate are administrative tasks, purchase orders, and customer service.

Word processing secretary vs administrative associate overview

Word Processing SecretaryAdministrative Associate
Yearly salary$43,970$34,873
Hourly rate$21.14$16.77
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs16,05754,499
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

Word processing secretary vs administrative associate salary

Word processing secretaries and administrative associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Word Processing SecretaryAdministrative Associate
Average salary$43,970$34,873
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $65,000Between $23,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Lord Abbett
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between word processing secretary and administrative associate education

There are a few differences between a word processing secretary and an administrative associate in terms of educational background:

Word Processing SecretaryAdministrative Associate
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Word processing secretary vs administrative associate demographics

Here are the differences between word processing secretaries' and administrative associates' demographics:

Word Processing SecretaryAdministrative Associate
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 8.6% Female, 91.4%Male, 21.6% Female, 78.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between word processing secretary and administrative associate duties and responsibilities

Word processing secretary example responsibilities.

  • Manage fireworks inventory through QuickBooks and process customer wholesale orders.
  • Coordinate meeting agendas, compose correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, PowerPoint presentations.
  • Scan and create PDF files and Metz files.
  • Process all letters, memo and faxes via Wang using merge documents.
  • Transpose lengthy documents via Dictaphone or long hand for a professional final product.
  • Create, revise and prepare documents for all departments; transcribe from Dictaphone.
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Administrative associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage consultants' calendar, arrange travel, paid bills via QuickBooks software.
  • Support medical doctors, manage sensitive and confidential records pertaining to high risk patients with emphasis on accuracy.
  • Enter invoices in QuickBooks and P2P.
  • Fulfill medical record requests from patients, providers and insurance companies in a HIPAA compliant way.
  • Prepare PowerPoint presentations and address day to day general operations and office procedures.
  • Prepare PowerPoint & other digital media for presentations that are distributed to upper management.
  • Show more

Word processing secretary vs administrative associate skills

Common word processing secretary skills
  • Scheduling Appointments, 13%
  • Telephone Calls, 11%
  • Travel Arrangements, 6%
  • Real Estate, 5%
  • Law Firm, 5%
  • Secretarial Support, 5%
Common administrative associate skills
  • Administrative Tasks, 12%
  • Purchase Orders, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Telephone Calls, 9%
  • Travel Arrangements, 9%
  • Patients, 8%

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