Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
High school graduates who are comfortable using word processing and spreadsheet programs usually qualify for entry-level positions. Although workers typically learn their duties over several weeks on the job, legal and medical secretaries and administrative assistants may need additional training for industry-specific terminology. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants typically need several years of related work experience. PayThe median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants was $48,310 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 314,400 openings for secretaries and administrative assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for secretaries and administrative assistants. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of secretaries and administrative assistants with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about secretaries and administrative assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants was $48,310 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 314,400 openings for secretaries and administrative assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for secretaries and administrative assistants. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of secretaries and administrative assistants with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about secretaries and administrative assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 314,400 openings for secretaries and administrative assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for secretaries and administrative assistants. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of secretaries and administrative assistants with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about secretaries and administrative assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Secretaries and administrative assistants do routine clerical and organizational tasks.
Work Environment
Although secretaries and administrative assistants work in nearly every industry, about half of all workers in the occupation are employed in healthcare; education; and professional, scientific, and technical services. Most work full time.
How to Become a Secretary or Administrative Assistant
High school graduates who are comfortable using word processing and spreadsheet programs usually qualify for entry-level positions. Although workers typically learn their duties over several weeks on the job, legal and medical secretaries and administrative assistants may need additional training for industry-specific terminology. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants typically need several years of related work experience.
Pay
The median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants was $48,310 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 314,400 openings for secretaries and administrative assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for secretaries and administrative assistants.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of secretaries and administrative assistants with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about secretaries and administrative assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Although secretaries and administrative assistants work in nearly every industry, about half of all workers in the occupation are employed in healthcare; education; and professional, scientific, and technical services. Most work full time.
How to Become a Secretary or Administrative Assistant
High school graduates who are comfortable using word processing and spreadsheet programs usually qualify for entry-level positions. Although workers typically learn their duties over several weeks on the job, legal and medical secretaries and administrative assistants may need additional training for industry-specific terminology. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants typically need several years of related work experience.
Pay
The median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants was $48,310 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 314,400 openings for secretaries and administrative assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for secretaries and administrative assistants.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of secretaries and administrative assistants with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about secretaries and administrative assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for secretaries and administrative assistants.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of secretaries and administrative assistants with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about secretaries and administrative assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about secretaries and administrative assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.