Summary
Quick Facts: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | |
---|---|
$34,660 per year
$16.66 per hour |
|
High school diploma or equivalent | |
See How to Become One | |
See How to Become One | |
4,010,200 | |
12% (About as fast as average) | |
492,900 |
What Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Do
Secretaries and administrative assistants perform routine clerical and organizational tasks. They organize files, draft messages, schedule appointments, and support other staff.
Work Environment
Although secretaries and administrative assistants work in nearly every industry, many are concentrated in schools, hospitals, government agencies, and legal and medical offices. Most work in comfortable office settings. Virtual assistants typically work from a home office.
How to Become a Secretary or Administrative Assistant
High school graduates with basic office and computer skills usually qualify for entry-level secretarial and administrative assistant positions.
Pay
The median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants was $34,660 in May 2010.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is expected to grow 12 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Among specialties, medical secretaries is the only occupation that is expected to have much-faster-than-average employment growth. This is driven by the rapid growth of the healthcare industry. Overall, the majority of job openings will result from the need to replace workers who leave these occupations.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of secretaries and administrative assistants with similar occupations.
O*NET
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Contacts for More Information
Learn more about secretaries and administrative assistants by contacting these additional resources.