Consider working as an administrative or executive assistant if you’re interested in a career in business administration. There are contrasts between these two unique jobs, despite the fact that these roles are in charge of some of the same professional tasks. Determining which of them is best for you may be made easier if you were aware of their similarities and distinctions. In this article, we examine the differences between administrative and executive assistants, explore their resemblance and offer advice on how to pursue both occupations.
Executive Assistant vs Administrative Assistant
An executive assistant may do more complicated and advanced administrative activities, generally for senior executives and other higher-ups in a business. An administrative assistant, sometimes known as an admin assistant, is responsible for carrying out a wide range of administrative chores at their place of employment. These other key differences could be summed up as follows:
- Requisite education
- Experiences at work
- Skill sets
- Salaries
Executive assistants go beyond administrative assistants in that they may also be in charge of conducting research, reading over documents, and even overseeing other clerical staff members. Administrative assistants and executive assistants are both likely to take calls, keep schedules, edit documents, and set up reports. Here, we go into greater detail on a few of the additional distinctions between the two positions.
#1. Education
Given that all roles necessitate at least a high school graduation, the amount of education needed for both an administrative and executive assistant may be the same. Each position also has a variety of certificate and associate’s degree programs available, however, the distinction is in the type of degree program.
In fields like business administration or administrative office management, administrative assistants can enroll in a variety of office assistant certificate programs or associate’s degree programs. This administrative assistant certificate and associate degree programs are frequently offered online.
The minimal educational requirement for an executive assistant may be a high school diploma, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that most employers prefer to recruit executive assistants with at least some college education or even a bachelor’s degree. For executive assistants especially, some colleges offer online courses and associate’s degree programs in fields like executive assistance or office administration. Even some online bachelor’s degree programs with concentrations in office administration and technology can help executive assistants find better employment opportunities.
#2. Experience at Work
While executive assistants often require a few years of related job experience, administrative assistants typically do not require any prior work experience, according to the BLS. Executive assistants frequently transition into their roles after holding lesser administrative positions, sometimes even within the same company. Executive assistants are prepared for the position’s more complex duties through their prior work experience.
#3. Skills
Both executive and administrative assistants must be well-organized and proficient communicators, both verbally and in writing. Executive assistants, on the other hand, frequently help top executives and deal with more sensitive information than administrative assistants, therefore, they might need to be more skilled in these skills. As they analyze paperwork and manage CEOs’ calendars, executive assistants also require good decision-making abilities.
In order to highlight their talents and abilities, both types of assistants have the option of pursuing professional certification. Through a designation like a certified administrative professional (CAP), administrative assistants may want to become certified administrative assistants. The professional administrative certification of excellence (PACE) certification and the organizational management (OM) certification are further possibilities for certification.
#4. Salary
According to the BLS, executive secretaries, and executive administrative assistants earned an average annual salary of $61,550 in 2018, compared to $38,030 for secretaries and administrative assistants (excluding legal, medical, and executive). According to the BLS, the majority of administrative assistants in 2018 worked in elementary and secondary schools and earned an average salary of $38,080, while executive assistants were more prevalent in colleges, universities, and professional institutions and earned an average salary of $59,950.
Executive Assistant vs Personal Assistant
It can be difficult to compare an executive assistant to a personal assistant because they perform many of the same tasks. The fact that different definitions of what a personal assistant does contribute to this complication.
Both occupations require similar abilities, such as organization, professionalism, computer proficiency, reliability, and communication skills. We will define executive assistance and personal assistance, compare the two, and discuss the qualifications you might need to be successful in either position.
What is an Executive Assistant
An executive assistant is a professional administrative assistant who works with one or more executives. Many larger firms only assign an executive assistant to one executive at a time, but smaller companies may do the same, provided it doesn’t take up too much time. An executive assistant may organize the executive’s travel, manage their calendar, react to and screen their correspondence, and perform other administrative duties.
A Personal Assistant is What?
Depending on the setting, the position, and the sector, a personal assistant may be defined in a number of different ways. Personal errands, food shopping, meal preparation, home organization, family and personal calendar management, and event planning are all things that some personal assistants may help with. Many celebrities hire someone to undertake this job because they require help managing their busy lives.
Other personal assistants are more similar to executive assistants, however, they typically support managers at lower management levels as opposed to executives. Personal assistants of this kind organize the manager’s schedule, arrange for trips, deal with mail, and more.
You should consider the following details while deciding which role is ideal for you:
Key Variations
Personal assistants and executive assistants who both work for the same company differ only a little from one another. Most jobs as a personal assistant or executive assistant simply require a high school diploma, and neither type of position often has any additional education requirements. Personal assistants assist managers and other lower-level employees who require assistance, whereas executive assistants typically support executives and those who are higher up in the organization.
Because you work with executives who are more visible than you are as a personal assistant, you might need to be ready to represent your business at events. Executive assistants in these firms and industries frequently have more responsibilities than personal assistants. A personal assistant role for these kinds of positions may be a stepping stone to employment as an executive assistant, which is frequently a more lucrative and well-recognized career.
There are significant contrasts between an executive assistant and a personal assistant who works with a client in their home to handle more private tasks. These personal assistants might work from their own homes or the homes of the people they support. Depending on their demands, your employer might recruit you for remote work. You might handle more private tasks, and you typically won’t be as active in your employer’s operational requirements. Even though personal assistants don’t perform all of the same duties as nannies, you could need to help out with the care of your employer’s kids.
How to Select
You should think about what interests you before deciding whether you would choose to work as a personal assistant or an executive assistant.
#1. Accountabilities
Working as a personal assistant may be more fun for you if you are interested in assisting someone with managing their personal life, particularly if you have prior experience as a nanny or in a position related to household administration. Additionally, you could discover that working as a personal assistant in someone’s home allows you to work around other commitments like school or another job.
#2. Situation And Timetable
An executive assistant or another form of personal assistant employment will likely be more enjoyable for you if you prefer to work in an office setting and manage business communications, travel, and scheduling. The working hours of your manager and those of a company personal assistant or executive assistant are more in line with each other.
#3. Career Advancement
Working in one of these positions might be more advantageous if you want to switch careers or just want to pursue an executive assistant profession in the long run.
#4. Culture
It’s also important to keep in mind that a job as a personal assistant is frequently in a more relaxed setting than serving as an executive assistant. If you work for a company as a personal assistant, you can be expected to meet the same standard. Many CEOs demand that their assistants dress exceptionally professionally every day.
Although there may be instances when you must dress more professionally based on the individual situation, personal assistants working in someone’s house may find the attitude and attire to be more informal.
What Is Higher Than Executive Assistant?
The chief administrative officer is higher. The position requires managing, organizing, and directing the company’s daily operations.
What Is the Difference Between Executive Assistant and Executive Administrator?
An executive administrator handles the daily administrative tasks of a group of executive professionals, whereas an executive assistant typically handles the daily administrative tasks of a single executive professional.
Who Is the Highest Paid Executive Assistant?
The highest-paid category of executive assistants earns an average of $115,560 per year and an hourly wage of $55.56. Executive assistants to chief executive officers earn an average wage of $71,955, making them the second highest-paid category of executive assistant.
What Is the Next Level After Executive Assistant?
The next step or level could be an executive assistant in another business, COO, VP of business development, director of public relations, executive director of a non-profit, or director of public relations in another industry.
Can You Make 6 Figures as an Executive Assistant?
Executive assistants do have the potential to earn a lot of money. This is particularly true in the financial industry, where the base wage for the executive assistant to chief executives frequently varies from $100,000 to $150,000, with a small number earning up to $200,000.
What Is the Next Career Step for an Administrative Assistant?
Other jobs that you can use to enhance your career after working as an administrative assistant include:
- Billing expert
- Manager of administrative services
- Medical billing coder
- Operations manager
- Sales representative
- Project director
- Assistant in accounting
- Sales and marketing assistant
- Manager of human resources
- Clerical manager
- Accounting assistant
- Administration expert
- Research assistant
- Office manager’s assistant
Is Executive Assistant a Stressful Job?
The executive assistant position is demanding, easily overwhelming, and taxing on your emotional well-being. Your brain and body can only withstand so many terrible days, no matter how strong or capable you are or how much self-care you practice.
Related Articles
- CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Meaning, Job Description, Duties & Salary
- PERSONAL ASSISTANT: Definition, Duties, & Salary
- ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT DUTIES: Meaning, Salary, Tips For Medical & What You Need To Know
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