Career comparison
Administrative Services Manager vs. Executive Assistant
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Administrative services managers earn more at the median ($114,130 vs. $76,590), while executive assistants usually get to work faster (2–5 years of administrative experience of training). Administrative services managers run the support services that keep an office working. Executive assistants keep senior leaders organized, prepared and focused on what matters most.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Administrative Services Manager | Executive Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $114,130 ($54.87/hr) | $76,590 ($36.82/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $67,100 – $207,720 | $50,560 – $109,850 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.2% (faster than average) | 0.0% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 22,000 | 43,300 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Several years of experience | 2–5 years of administrative experience |
| Key credential | Certified Administrative Professional | Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) |
| Work setting | Managers work in offices across every industry.. | Executive assistants work in offices, often near the executives they support, and increasingly in hybrid arrangements. |
What each job does
Administrative Services Manager
- Supervise administrative staff
- Manage records and documents
- Oversee mail and supplies
- Manage vendor contracts
- Set office policies
Executive Assistant
- Manage executive calendars and schedule meetings
- Plan domestic and international travel
- Screen calls, email and visitors
- Prepare reports, presentations and board materials
- Take meeting notes and follow up on action items
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, desk work, high responsibility, and high-pay. Both are part of the business & office field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose administrative services manager if…
- I’m very organized
- I like solving everyday problems
- I enjoy managing people
Choose executive assistant if…
- I love being organized
- I can anticipate what people need
- I keep confidential information private
Still torn? Take the Administrative Services Manager fit quiz and the Executive Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, administrative services manager or executive assistant?
Administrative Services Managers earn more at the median: $114,130 versus $76,590 for executive assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Executive Assistants typically train faster (2–5 years of administrative experience) than administrative services managers (Several years of experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects administrative services managers to grow +5.2% from 2025–35, compared with 0.0% for executive assistants.