Office Clerk vs. Administrative Assistant: What Are the Differences?

Many people enter the workforce as an office clerk or administrative assistant. Both of these positions are entry-level jobs that provide the opportunity to learn new skills and grow within a company. There are, however, some key differences between these two roles. In this article, we discuss the similarities and differences between an office clerk and an administrative assistant, and we offer tips for those interested in pursuing a career in either field.

What is an Office Clerk?

Office Clerks are responsible for a variety of administrative tasks in an office setting. They may answer phones, take messages, sort and distribute mail, schedule appointments and maintain records. Office Clerks typically work in a fast-paced environment and must be able to multitask and stay organized. They may use computers to create spreadsheets, word processing documents and presentations. Office Clerks may also be responsible for ordering office supplies, setting up equipment and furnishing and maintaining office common areas.

What is an Administrative Assistant?

Administrative Assistants provide office support for businesses of all sizes. They are responsible for a variety of clerical and administrative tasks, including answering phones, scheduling appointments, managing calendars, preparing correspondence and handling customer inquiries. They may also be responsible for ordering office supplies, organizing and maintaining files, coordinating travel plans and managing projects. Administrative Assistants typically report to an office manager or supervisor. Some Administrative Assistants may also provide support to multiple executives or departments within a company.

Office Clerk vs. Administrative Assistant

Here are the main differences between an office clerk and an administrative assistant.

Job Duties

Administrative assistants and office clerks may share some job duties, like answering emails, taking phone calls or typing correspondence. However, an administrative assistant might have more responsibilities related to the executive or management teams in their company. They might schedule meetings, prepare presentations, take notes during meetings and manage email inboxes.

Office clerks might handle fewer professional responsibilities. They might scan documents into a computer system, organize filing cabinets or clean work spaces and perform other clerical tasks. It’s also common for office clerks to operate machinery like photocopiers and printers.

Job Requirements

Office clerks and administrative assistants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the field. However, some employers may prefer candidates with an associate degree in office administration or a related field. Additionally, many office clerks and administrative assistants pursue certifications through organizations like the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) or the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS). These organizations offer training programs that teach professionals how to use office software and other tools they might need on the job.

Work Environment

Administrative assistants typically work in an office environment, often for a large company or organization. They may travel to different locations within their workplace and interact with many people throughout the day. Some administrative assistants work full time, while others work part time.

Office clerks usually work in an office environment as well, but they may work for smaller companies or organizations. They also may work part time or full time. Office clerks may spend most of their days performing clerical duties, such as filing paperwork and answering phones.

Skills

Both office clerks and administrative assistants use a variety of basic office skills in their jobs. These can include customer service, data entry, filing, answering phones and other clerical duties. However, administrative assistants typically have more responsibilities than office clerks, which can require additional skills.

Administrative assistants often need to be able to multitask and prioritize their work, as they may have several tasks that need to be completed at any given time. They also may need to have project management skills to coordinate deadlines and deliverables for various projects. In addition, many administrative assistants are responsible for managing calendars and scheduling appointments, which can require strong organizational skills.

Salary

The average salary for an office clerk is $38,572 per year, while the average salary for an administrative assistant is $45,618 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the employee has.