### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			secretaries and administrative assistants imageSecretaries and administrative assistants provide clerical and organizational support.							
						Quick Facts:     Secretaries and Administrative Assistants2023     Median Pay
            						$46,010     per year
										$22.12     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    See How to Become OneOn-the-job Training
                                    See How to Become OneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    3,399,200Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -10% (Decline)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -332,600What Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Do
                                                
                        
                        
Secretaries and administrative assistants do routine clerical and organizational tasks.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Although secretaries and administrative assistants work in nearly every industry, about half of all workers in the occupation are employed in healthcare; education; and professional, scientific, and technical services. Most work full time.
            
                                                How to Become a Secretary or Administrative Assistant
                                                
                        
High school graduates who are comfortable using word processing and spreadsheet programs usually qualify for entry-level positions. Although workers typically learn their duties over several weeks on the job, legal and medical secretaries and administrative assistants may need additional training for industry-specific terminology. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants typically need several years of related work experience.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants was $46,010 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to decline							 10 percent from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite declining  employment, about 316,000 openings for secretaries and administrative assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for secretaries and administrative assistants.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of secretaries and administrative assistants with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about secretaries and administrative assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Do 
            

			Secretaries and administrative assistantsSecretaries and administrative assistants maintain databases and filing systems.			
Secretaries and administrative assistants do routine clerical and organizational tasks. They arrange files, prepare documents, schedule appointments, and support other staff.
Duties
Secretaries and administrative assistants typically do the following:
Answer telephones and take messages or transfer calls
Schedule appointments and update event calendars
Arrange staff meetings
Handle incoming and outgoing mail and faxes
Prepare memos, invoices, or reports
Edit documents
Maintain databases and filing systems
Perform basic bookkeepingSecretaries and administrative assistants help an organization run efficiently. They use computer software to create spreadsheets; manage databases; and prepare presentations, reports, and documents. They also may negotiate with vendors, buy supplies, and manage stockrooms or corporate libraries. Secretaries and administrative assistants also use videoconferencing and other office equipment. Specific job duties vary by experience, job title, and specialty.
The following are examples of types of secretaries and administrative assistants:
***Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants*** provide high-level support for an office and for top executives of an organization. They often handle complex responsibilities, such as reviewing incoming documents, conducting research, and preparing reports. Some also supervise clerical staff.
***Legal secretaries and administrative assistants*** must have knowledge of legal terminology and procedures. They prepare summonses, complaints, motions, subpoenas, and other legal documents under the supervision of an attorney or a paralegal. They also review legal journals and help with legal research—for example, by verifying quotes and citations in legal briefs.
***Medical secretaries and administrative assistants*** transcribe dictation and prepare reports or articles for physicians or medical scientists. They also take simple medical histories of patients, arrange for patients to be hospitalized, or process insurance payments. Medical secretaries and administrative assistants need to be familiar with medical terminology and codes, medical records, and hospital or laboratory procedures.
***Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive*** form the largest subcategory of secretaries and administrative assistants. They handle administrative activities for offices in almost every sector of the economy, including schools, government, and private corporations. For example, secretaries in schools are often responsible for most of the communications among parents, students, the community, teachers, and school administrators. They schedule appointments, receive visitors, and keep track of student records.
 Work Environment
			Secretaries and administrative assistantsSecretaries and administrative assistants usually work in offices.			

	    
				
	
	    	    		Secretaries and administrative assistants held about 3.4 million jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up secretaries and administrative assistants was distributed as follows:
    	    	
    	Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
                2,030,200Medical secretaries and administrative assistants
                696,600Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
                511,100Legal secretaries and administrative assistants
                161,400The largest employers of secretaries and administrative assistants were as follows:
        Healthcare and social assistance
                26%Educational services; state, local, and private
                15Professional, scientific, and technical services
                12Government
                8Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations
                5Secretaries and administrative assistants work in nearly every industry.
Most secretaries and administrative assistants work in offices. Some administrative assistants work out of their own homes as*virtual assistants*.
Work Schedules
Most secretaries and administrative assistants work full time.
 How to Become a Secretary or Administrative Assistant

			Secretaries and administrative assistantsSecretaries and administrative assistants may seek training in word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.			
High school graduates who are comfortable using word processing and spreadsheet programs typically qualify for entry-level positions. Although workers typically learn their duties over several weeks on the job, legal and medical secretaries and administrative assistants may need additional training to learn industry-specific terminology. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants typically need several years of related work experience.
Education
Some community colleges and technical schools offer courses or programs in a variety of secretarial and administrative assistance fields. For example, courses or programs in office procedures focus on working in a business setting; those in industry-specific terminology and practices prepare students for jobs as medical and legal secretaries. Temporary placement agencies also may provide training in word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
A bachelor's degree typically is not required to become a secretary or administrative assistant. However, some of these workers have a degree in a field such as business, education, or communications. Employers may prefer to hire candidates for executive secretary and executive administrative assistant positions who have taken some college courses or have a bachelor’s degree.
Training
Secretaries and administrative assistants typically learn their skills through on-the-job training that lasts a few weeks. During this time, they learn about administrative procedures, including how to prepare documents. Medical and legal secretaries and administrative assistants may train for several months as they learn industry-specific terminology and practices.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants typically need several years of work experience in other administrative positions, such as secretaries and general office clerks.
Important Qualities
***Decision-making skills.*** Secretaries and administrative assistants often prioritize tasks and make decisions on their employers’ behalf, so good judgment is essential.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff. They should communicate effectively and be courteous when interacting with others.
***Organizational skills.*** Secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently.
***Writing skills.*** Secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers. Therefore, they must have good grammar, ensure accuracy, and maintain a professional tone.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Secretaries and administrative assistants$46,010  Office and administrative support occupations$44,480Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants was $46,010 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,580, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,160.

			
                    	Median annual wages for secretaries and administrative assistants in May 2023 were as follows:
        Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
		$70,310Legal secretaries and administrative assistants
		50,680Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
		44,280Medical secretaries and administrative assistants
		40,640In May 2023, the median annual wages for secretaries and administrative assistants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Professional, scientific, and technical services
                $49,920Government
                49,320Educational services; state, local, and private
                47,090Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations
                46,960Healthcare and social assistance
                42,060Most secretaries and administrative assistants work full time.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Office and administrative support occupations-6%  Secretaries and administrative assistants-10%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to decline				 10 percent from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite declining  employment, about 316,000 openings for secretaries and administrative assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Projected employment of secretaries and administrative assistants varies by occupation (see table).
Employment growth is projected for medical secretaries, primarily due to the growth of the healthcare industry. For example, baby boomers will require more medical services as they age. Medical secretaries will be needed to handle administrative tasks related to billing and insurance processing of Medicare and other claims.
Employment is projected to decline for other secretaries and administrative assistants. Technology enables staff in many organizations to prepare their own documents without the help of secretaries. Additionally, many executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants support more than one manager in an organization, and many managers now do tasks that were previously done by these workers.
			

                        Employment projections data for     secretaries and administrative assistants, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Secretaries and administrative assistants**
			43-6000
			3,399,200
			3,066,600
			-10
			-332,600
			Get data**Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants**
			43-6011
			511,100
			403,000
			-21
			-108,100
			Get data**Legal secretaries and administrative assistants**
			43-6012
			161,400
			126,200
			-22
			-35,300
			Get data**Medical secretaries and administrative assistants**
			43-6013
			696,600
			743,200
			7
			46,600
			Get data**Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive**
			43-6014
			2,030,200
			1,794,300
			-12
			-235,900
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
					Legal secretaries and administrative assistants
					Medical secretaries and administrative assistants
					Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of secretaries and administrative assistants. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks**
            Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations and check financial records for accuracy.
            Some college, no degree
            $47,440**Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners**
            Court reporters create word-for-word transcriptions at trials, depositions, and other legal proceedings. Simultaneous captioners provide similar transcriptions for television or for presentations in other settings, such as press conferences and business meetings, for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $63,940**General Office Clerks**
            General office clerks perform a variety of clerical tasks, including answering telephones, typing documents, and filing records.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $40,480**Information Clerks**
            Information clerks perform routine clerical duties, maintain records, collect data, and provide information to customers.
            See How to Become One
            $40,540**Medical Records Specialists**
            Medical records specialists compile, process, and maintain patient files.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $48,780**Medical Transcriptionists**
            Medical transcriptionists use electronic devices to convert voice recordings from physicians and other healthcare workers into formal reports.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $37,060**Paralegals and Legal Assistants**
            Paralegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers.
            Associate's degree
            $60,970**Receptionists**
            Receptionists do tasks such as answering phones, receiving visitors, and providing information about their organization to the public.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $35,840**Financial Clerks**
            Financial clerks do administrative work, help customers, and carry out transactions that involve money.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $47,070**Travel Agents**
            Travel agents sell transportation, lodging, and entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $47,410
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about careers in secretarial and administrative work, visit
American Society of Administrative Professionals
The Association of Executive and Administrative Professionals
Executive Support Magazine
International Association of Administrative Professionals
For more information about legal secretaries and administrative assistants, visit
NALS
For more information about virtual assistants, visit
International Virtual Assistants Association
Occupational Requirements Survey
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants (PDF)
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants (PDF)
Secretaries and administrative assistants (except legal, medical, and executive) (PDF)
CareerOneStop
For a career video on secretaries and administrative assistants, visit
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative AssistantsLegal Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsMedical Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm (visited *May 06, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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