What does an Administrative Assistant do?
Administrative assistants are responsible for providing support to managers and employees as well as tending to clients and office visitors. An administrative assistant primarily performs clerical duties that assist in the overall productivity and organization of an office or company. These professionals sometimes specialize in a particular industry such as the legal industry. Administrative assistants are also referred to as secretaries, administrative specialists or administrative coordinators.
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Working as an Administrative Assistant
Administrative assistant job responsibilities may include:
- Greeting and assisting office visitors
- Answering phones and routing calls to the appropriate recipient
- Overseeing various daily office operations such as setting up appointments, handling incoming and outgoing mail and emails and editing documents
- Scheduling meetings and interviews
- Generating reports, managing inventory and performing bookkeeping tasks
How much does an Administrative Assistant make in the United States?
Average base salary
The average salary for a administrative assistant is $18.70 per hour in the United States. 140.6k salaries reported, updated at September 25, 2023
Where can an Administrative Assistant earn more?
Compare salaries for Administrative Assistants in different locations
How much do similar professions get paid in United States?
Office Administrator
Job openingsAverage $18.88 per hour
Receptionist
Job openingsAverage $15.93 per hour
Office Assistant
Job openingsAverage $16.85 per hour
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
Job openingsAverage $17.15 per hour
Front Desk Agent
Job openingsAverage $15.16 per hour
Executive Assistant
Job openingsAverage $63,475 per year
Common questions about for an Administrative Assistant
What is the difference between an administrative assistant and an executive administrative assistant?
Aside from the education requirements, which are more demanding for executive administrative assistants, administrative assistants usually focus on a department or work process. Executive administrative assistants focus more on people and positions. Also, executive administrative assistants tend to be involved in event planning, project management and strategic business planning.
Is being an administrative assistant stressful?
Every administrative job is different. A lot depends upon the environment and the people you work for. In a busy office where you are responsible for more than one department, there is the potential for a lot of stress. With good time management skills and communication with your management, you can help alleviate a lot of that stress.
