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Word processing secretary vs administrative professional

The differences between word processing secretaries and administrative professionals 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 professional. Additionally, a word processing secretary has an average salary of $43,970, which is higher than the $39,486 average annual salary of an administrative professional.

The top three skills for a word processing secretary include scheduling appointments, telephone calls and travel arrangements. The most important skills for an administrative professional are customer service, powerpoint, and data entry.

Word processing secretary vs administrative professional overview

Word Processing SecretaryAdministrative Professional
Yearly salary$43,970$39,486
Hourly rate$21.14$18.98
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs16,05787,372
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

Word processing secretary vs administrative professional salary

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

Word Processing SecretaryAdministrative Professional
Average salary$43,970$39,486
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $65,000Between $23,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-HomeOwners Advantage
Best paying industry--

Differences between word processing secretary and administrative professional education

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

Word Processing SecretaryAdministrative Professional
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Word processing secretary vs administrative professional demographics

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

Word Processing SecretaryAdministrative Professional
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 8.6% Female, 91.4%Male, 17.4% Female, 82.6%
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 professional 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 professional example responsibilities.

  • Manage documentation, folder structures and user permissions in SharePoint.
  • Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
  • Keep vendors accounts up to date, process payroll, collect on accounts receivable, keep accounts payable up to date.
  • Create document libraries for several hospital initiatives in SharePoint.
  • Receive and distribute payroll garnishment/bankruptcy notification letters to employees.
  • Develop and maintain relevant organizational charts, facilitating retrieval of staff data in PowerPoint format.
  • Show more

Word processing secretary vs administrative professional 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 professional skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • PowerPoint, 12%
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • Travel Arrangements, 7%
  • Administrative Tasks, 3%
  • Office Equipment, 3%

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