Career comparison
Administrative Assistant vs. Office Manager
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Office managers earn more at the median ($69,500 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. Office managers run an office’s daily operations, staff and systems so everyone else can do their jobs.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Administrative Assistant | Office Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,540 ($22.86/hr) | $69,500 ($33.41/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $33,280 – $66,350 | $45,610 – $104,710 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -6.0% (a projected decline) | +0.1% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 163,900 | 127,400 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Weeks to months | 3–5 years of administrative experience |
| Key credential | CAP (IAAP) | Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) |
| Work setting | Administrative assistants work in offices across every industry: schools, hospitals, law firms, government, construction companies and corporations. | Office managers work in offices of every kind, from medical practices and law firms to construction companies and nonprofits. |
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
Office Manager
- Supervise administrative and front office staff
- Manage office budgets and expenses
- Negotiate with and manage vendors
- Order supplies and manage inventory
- Coordinate facilities, maintenance and IT support
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, desk work, indoor work, and teamwork. 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 office manager if…
- I like making things run smoothly
- I’m comfortable leading people
- I can handle constant interruptions
Still torn? Take the Administrative Assistant fit quiz and the Office Manager fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, administrative assistant or office manager?
Office Managers earn more at the median: $69,500 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 office managers (3–5 years of administrative experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects office managers to grow +0.1% from 2025–35, compared with -6.0% for administrative assistants.