Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

SOC: 43-6011 O*NET: 43-6011.00
Median Salary
$74,260
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
50
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3

Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.

What does a Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants do?

Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$48,300
10th percentile
Early Career
$60,000
25th percentile
Median
$74,260
50th percentile
Experienced
$90,440
75th percentile
Top Earners
$107,710
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$48,300
25th
$60,000
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$74,260
Mean: $77,060
75th
$90,440
90th
$107,710
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $59,410 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $60,000 and $90,440
  • Salary spread is 41.0% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 472,770 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:502,800

Top Industries

Finance and Insurance12.3%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services12.3%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services12.3%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:-1.6%
Annual Openings:50,000

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)502,800
Current
2034 (Projected)494,900
-1.6%
-7,900
Employment Change
-1.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: More slowly than average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
New York
88,830 jobs$80,4903.04x
California
63,250 jobs$84,7901.14x
Texas
35,090 jobs$69,5800.83x
Florida
19,950 jobs$65,3500.66x
Massachusetts
16,630 jobs$79,3601.49x
Maryland
15,940 jobs$75,7601.89x
Illinois
13,490 jobs$74,4100.73x
New Jersey
12,850 jobs$83,7400.99x
Georgia
12,710 jobs$67,9900.85x
Pennsylvania
11,870 jobs$69,8900.64x
Ohio
11,040 jobs$66,2700.65x
Washington
10,570 jobs$78,1400.97x
Colorado
10,120 jobs$64,6201.14x
North Carolina
9,610 jobs$66,0000.64x
Virginia
9,600 jobs$77,6400.77x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Employment decline projected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Service Orientation
80%
#5
Writing
74%
#6
Coordination
66%
#7
Time Management
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Critical Thinking
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%

Skills Overview

Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.0
80%
Writing
intermediate3.7
74%
Coordination
intermediate3.3
66%
Time Management
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Reading Comprehension

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Active Listening

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Service Orientation

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Writing

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Coordination

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Time Management

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Critical Thinking

basic
Importance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0

Active Learning

basic
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Office Clerks, General90%
5 shared skills
Community Health Workers82%
5 shared skills
Counter and Rental Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Flight Attendants82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
  • Coordination
  • Time Management
  • Social Perceptiveness

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
  • Reading Comprehension

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Intuit QuickBooks

🔥 Hot Tech

SAP Concur

🔥 Hot Tech

Slack

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Adobe InDesign

🔥 Hot Tech

Adobe Acrobat

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft SharePoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Dynamics

🔥 Hot Tech

Oracle PeopleSoft

🔥 Hot Tech

SAP software

🔥 Hot Tech

Adobe Illustrator

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Intuit QuickBooks
SAP Concur
Slack
Microsoft Access
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP software
Adobe Illustrator

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet high physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Management & Supervision (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)Planning & Development (1)General Responsibilities (9)Communication & Coordination (1)
1

Manage and maintain executives' schedules.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Management & Supervision100% perform
2

Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements, and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform
3

Read and analyze incoming memos, submissions, and reports to determine their significance and plan their distribution.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Planning & Development94% perform
4

Open, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and email.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

File and retrieve corporate documents, records, and reports.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform
6

Greet visitors and determine whether they should be given access to specific individuals.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Prepare responses to correspondence containing routine inquiries.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform
8

Make travel arrangements for executives.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Conduct research, compile data, and prepare papers for consideration and presentation by executives, committees, and boards of directors.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Management & Supervision76% perform
10

Compile, transcribe, and distribute minutes of meetings.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on management & supervision activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants professionals typically have a CES Holland code and highly value relationships

CConventional
EEnterprising
SSocial

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

Attention to Detail

Critical

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.59

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.58

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.56

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.46

Adaptability/Flexibility

Very Important

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level4.16

Concern for Others

Very Important

Concern for Others

Importance Level4.14

Complete Work Styles Profile

Attention to Detail
4.6
Integrity
4.6
Dependability
4.6
Cooperation
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Concern for Others
4.1
Self-Control
4.1
Initiative
4.1
Independence
4.0
Persistence
3.9

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies

Preparation Level

Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Training:

Training of more than one year

💼 Experience Requirement

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Associate degree programs
  • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
  • Vocational training with related experience
3

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience

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