How to become medical secretaries and administrative assistantseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Office & Admin Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$45,930

25th–75th pct. $38,570–$50,580

Top pay (est.)

$78,700

Top 10% $60,530

Pay in 5 years

$51,400est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$57,400est.

$49,400–$66,700

Outlook score

41/100

★★☆☆☆ Below average

AI replacement risk

76%

High

Job growth (10 yr)

+4.8%

89K openings / yr

How to become medical secretaries and administrative assistants

Typical education

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Key skills

Speaking

3.6

Active Listening

3.5

Service Orientation

3.2

Reading Comprehension

3.1

Social Perceptiveness

3.0

Critical Thinking

3.0

Writing

3.0

Time Management

2.9

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

4.8

Administrative

4.5

Computers and Electronics

3.8

English Language

3.7

Administration and Management

3.3

Medicine and Dentistry

3.2

Mathematics

3.2

Economics and Accounting

3.1

What the work involves

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicProcessing InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeAssisting and Caring for OthersGetting InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionNear VisionSpeech RecognitionSpeech Clarity

Education of workers

High school diploma

48%

Associate's degree

26%

Post-secondary certificate

20%

Less than high school

Some college

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

47%

None / short demo

16%

1–3 months

11%

3–6 months

10%

1–2 years

6–12 months

2–4 years

Related work experience

1–2 years

57%

2–4 years

21%

6–12 months

10%

3–6 months

10%

None

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as medical secretaries and administrative assistants

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Customer Service Representatives Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services.	$44,770	28/100	77%
2	Office Clerks, General Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures.	$45,010	24/100	83%
3	Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.	$47,540	24/100	84%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.	$69,500	40/100	80%
5	Receptionists and Information Clerks Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.	$38,010	29/100	73%
6	Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants 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.	$76,590	39/100	85%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.