How to become Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executiveeducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Office & Admin Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$47,540

25th–75th pct. $38,830–$58,000

Top pay (est.)

$86,300

Top 10% $66,350

Pay in 5 years

$51,200est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$55,100est.

$47,400–$63,900

Outlook score

24/100

★☆☆☆☆ Weak

AI replacement risk

84%

Very high

Job growth (10 yr)

−6.0%

164K openings / yr

How to become Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Typical education

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Short-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 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Key skills

Reading Comprehension

3.9

Active Listening

3.8

Critical Thinking

3.6

Speaking

3.6

Writing

3.5

Monitoring

3.2

Service Orientation

3.1

Social Perceptiveness

3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Administrative

5.8

Computers and Electronics

4.6

Customer and Personal Service

4.4

English Language

4.2

Mathematics

3.3

Administration and Management

3.1

Education and Training

2.9

Economics and Accounting

2.6

What the work involves

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeGetting InformationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesProcessing InformationAssisting and Caring for Others

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionNear VisionWritten ExpressionWritten ComprehensionSpeech Recognition

Education of workers

High school diploma

50%

Associate's degree

22%

Bachelor's degree

11%

Some college

10%

Post-secondary certificate

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

31%

None / short demo

18%

1–2 years

15%

3–6 months

13%

1–3 months

13%

6–12 months

2–4 years

Related work experience

1–2 years

44%

6–12 months

24%

None

14%

2–4 years

10%

3–6 months

4–6 years

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 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

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	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%
4	Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures.	$45,930	41/100	76%
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.