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Word processing secretary vs administrative specialist

The differences between word processing secretaries and administrative specialists 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 specialist. Additionally, a word processing secretary has an average salary of $43,970, which is higher than the $38,758 average annual salary of an administrative specialist.

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

Word processing secretary vs administrative specialist overview

Word Processing SecretaryAdministrative Specialist
Yearly salary$43,970$38,758
Hourly rate$21.14$18.63
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs16,05771,227
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

Word processing secretary vs administrative specialist salary

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

Word Processing SecretaryAdministrative Specialist
Average salary$43,970$38,758
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $65,000Between $25,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between word processing secretary and administrative specialist education

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

Word Processing SecretaryAdministrative Specialist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Word processing secretary vs administrative specialist demographics

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

Word Processing SecretaryAdministrative Specialist
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 8.6% Female, 91.4%Male, 24.4% Female, 75.6%
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, 9.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between word processing secretary and administrative specialist 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 specialist example responsibilities.

  • Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
  • Process incoming and outgoing medical records with newly implement HIPAA requirements.
  • Maintain personnel records, electronic databases, oversee and administer department SharePoint website.
  • Redesign and reformat PowerPoint presentations, customize individual client presentations for specific look & feel.
  • Create and successfully implement a new faculty form to collect necessary information for payroll forms.
  • Conduct training of new personnel using spreadsheets & PowerPoint presentations to ensure compliance of organizational policies & procedures.
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Word processing secretary vs administrative specialist 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 specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Office Procedures, 5%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Payroll, 4%

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