Career comparison
Administrative Assistant vs. Bookkeeper
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Bookkeepers earn more at the median ($50,670 vs. $47,540), while administrative assistants usually get to work faster (Weeks to months of training). Administrative assistants keep offices organized: calendars, communication, documents and logistics. Bookkeepers record transactions, reconcile accounts and keep a business’s books accurate.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Administrative Assistant | Bookkeeper | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,540 ($22.86/hr) | $50,670 ($24.36/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $33,280 – $66,350 | $36,000 – $74,550 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -6.0% (a projected decline) | -5.6% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 163,900 | 144,100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Some college, no degree |
| Training time | Weeks to months | 3–12 months |
| Key credential | CAP (IAAP) | Certified Bookkeeper (AIPB) |
| Work setting | Administrative assistants work in offices across every industry: schools, hospitals, law firms, government, construction companies and corporations. | Bookkeepers work for small businesses, accounting firms, nonprofits and larger companies, or for themselves serving multiple clients. |
What each job does
Administrative Assistant
- Manage calendars and schedule meetings
- Answer phones, emails and visitors professionally
- Prepare documents, presentations and spreadsheets
- Organize physical and digital files and records
- Coordinate travel, events and meeting logistics
Bookkeeper
- Record transactions in accounting software
- Process accounts payable and receivable
- Reconcile bank and credit card accounts
- Prepare payroll data and track payroll liabilities
- Maintain the general ledger and chart of accounts
How they’re similar
Both careers involve desk work, indoor work, working with information, and steady routines. Both are part of the business & office field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose administrative assistant if…
- I’m highly organized and detail-oriented
- I like helping a team run smoothly
- I’m comfortable with computers and software
Choose bookkeeper if…
- I like numbers and keeping things accurate
- I’m comfortable with spreadsheets and software
- I prefer structured, detail-oriented work
Still torn? Take the Administrative Assistant fit quiz and the Bookkeeper fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, administrative assistant or bookkeeper?
Bookkeepers earn more at the median: $50,670 versus $47,540 for administrative assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Administrative Assistants typically train faster (Weeks to months) than bookkeepers (3–12 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects bookkeepers to grow -5.6% from 2025–35, compared with -6.0% for administrative assistants.