Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
SOC: 43-6014 O*NET: 43-6014.00
Median Salary
$46,290
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
202.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.
What does a Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$31,600
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,770
25th percentile
Median
$46,290
50th percentile
Experienced
$55,650
75th percentile
Top Earners
$64,150
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$31,600
25th
$37,770
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,290
Mean: $47,640
75th
$55,650
90th
$64,150
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $32,550 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,770 and $55,650
- •Salary spread is 38.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 1,737,820 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,944,000
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services10.8%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services10.8%
Construction7.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-1.6%
Annual Openings:202,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,944,000
Current
2034 (Projected)1,913,200
-1.6%
-30,800
Employment Change
-1.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
169,670 jobs$53,1900.83x
Texas
150,480 jobs$43,3500.96x
New York
127,620 jobs$49,2001.19x
Florida
98,270 jobs$43,6500.89x
Illinois
79,440 jobs$47,8901.16x
Pennsylvania
72,610 jobs$44,7401.07x
New Jersey
60,320 jobs$49,6001.26x
Maryland
55,250 jobs$46,8001.78x
Ohio
53,690 jobs$45,4200.86x
Georgia
49,870 jobs$39,2200.91x
North Carolina
45,740 jobs$43,0100.83x
Michigan
42,500 jobs$44,8800.86x
Alabama
42,180 jobs$40,2001.79x
Missouri
36,350 jobs$40,2501.11x
Tennessee
35,410 jobs$43,3700.96x
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
Active Listening
100%
#2
Administrative
100%
#3
Written Comprehension
100%
#4
Speaking
94%
#5
Oral Expression
92%
#6
English Language
86%
#7
Reading Comprehension
86%
#8
Oral Comprehension
82%
#9
Writing
80%
#10
Service Orientation
74%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Administrative
advanced5.0
100%
Written Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Oral Expression
advanced4.6
92%
English Language
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Oral Comprehension
intermediate4.1
82%
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:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Administrative
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Written Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Oral Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Written Expression
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Computers and Electronics
intermediateImportance70%
knowledge
3.5/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Animal Control 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
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Administrative
- ✓English Language
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Coordination
- →Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Administrative
- ✓English Language
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Administrative
- ★English Language
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 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
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 TechSAP Concur
🔥 Hot TechIBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechSlack
🔥 Hot TechAtlassian JIRA
🔥 Hot TechSalesforce software
🔥 Hot TechApache Cassandra
🔥 Hot TechApache Hadoop
🔥 Hot TechApache Hive
🔥 Hot TechTeradata Database
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
SAP Concur
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
Slack
Atlassian JIRA
Salesforce software
Apache Cassandra
Apache Hadoop
Apache Hive
Teradata Database
Microsoft Access
📚 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
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Management & Supervision (4)Planning & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Greet visitors or callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the appropriate persons according to their needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision97% perform98%
3
Locate and attach appropriate files to incoming correspondence requiring replies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Open, read, route, and distribute incoming mail or other materials and answer routine letters.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Complete forms in accordance with company procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Make copies of correspondence or other printed material.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Review work done by others to check for correct spelling and grammar, ensure that company format policies are followed, and recommend revisions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Learn to operate new office technologies as they are developed and implemented.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Maintain scheduling and event calendars.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Schedule and confirm appointments for clients, customers, or supervisors.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities 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 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
💡 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?
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive professionals typically have a CES Holland code and highly value support
CConventional
EEnterprising
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.58
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.50
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.43
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.36
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.25
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.13
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.6
Integrity
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Dependability
4.4
Concern for Others
4.3
Self-Control
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Independence
3.9
Achievement/Effort
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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
5.0k program completions/year
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
2.8k program completions/year
Eastern Gateway Community College
Steubenville, OH
2.5k program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
1.6k program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
1.3k program completions/year
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC
1.3k program completions/year
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA
1.3k program completions/year
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
1.2k program completions/year
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
1.2k program completions/year
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA
1.0k program completions/year
Connecticut State Community College
New Britain, CT
978 program completions/year
Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ
897 program completions/year
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