Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
SOC: 43-6013 O*NET: 43-6013.00
Median Salary
$44,640
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.2%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
85.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.
What does a Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,050
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,880
25th percentile
Median
$44,640
50th percentile
Experienced
$49,720
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,050
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,050
25th
$37,880
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$44,640
Mean: $45,580
75th
$49,720
90th
$60,050
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $25,000 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,880 and $49,720
- •Salary spread is 26.5% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 830,760 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:850,000
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services62.8%
Offices of Physicians30.9%
Hospitals20.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.2%
Annual Openings:85,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)850,000
Current
2034 (Projected)885,300
+4.2%
+35,300
Employment Change
+4.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
116,890 jobs$52,7201.20x
Florida
80,430 jobs$39,4501.52x
Texas
72,810 jobs$39,5600.98x
North Carolina
45,540 jobs$39,9301.73x
New York
34,170 jobs$48,0900.66x
Tennessee
31,780 jobs$38,6301.80x
Ohio
29,970 jobs$41,9801.01x
Michigan
27,440 jobs$40,0501.16x
Pennsylvania
26,270 jobs$42,9900.81x
Illinois
24,150 jobs$45,2000.74x
Massachusetts
22,110 jobs$50,1901.13x
Virginia
20,860 jobs$44,2600.95x
Kentucky
20,550 jobs$38,0101.91x
Indiana
19,460 jobs$41,6401.13x
Georgia
18,180 jobs$40,8800.69x
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
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Service Orientation
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Writing
74%
#6
Coordination
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Time Management
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Writing
intermediate3.7
74%
Coordination
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
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:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks90%
5 shared skills
Audio and Video Technicians82%
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
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Critical Thinking
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★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 Medical Secretaries and 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 TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TecheClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechEpic Systems
🔥 Hot TechHenry Schein Dentrix
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Docs
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Epic Systems
Henry Schein Dentrix
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Google Docs
📚 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
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY 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 moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (8)Management & Supervision (2)
1
Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries, or medical consultations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Compile and record medical charts, reports, or correspondence, using typewriter or personal computer.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Receive and route messages or documents, such as laboratory results, to appropriate staff.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Greet visitors, ascertain purpose of visit, and direct them to appropriate staff.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Interview patients to complete documents, case histories, or forms, such as intake or insurance forms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Maintain medical records, technical library, or correspondence files.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Operate office equipment, such as voice mail messaging systems, and use word processing, spreadsheet, or other software applications to prepare reports, invoices, financial statements, letters, case histories, or medical records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Transmit correspondence or medical records by mail, e-mail, or fax.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Perform various clerical or administrative functions, such as ordering and maintaining an inventory of supplies.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •47% 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 Medical Secretaries and 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?
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants professionals typically have a CSE Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
SSocial
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.71
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.66
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.66
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.56
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.32
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.28
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Social Orientation
4.0
Independence
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
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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