Description

Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.

Interests

Conventional
Enterprising
Social

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

Support
Relationships
Working Conditions

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
Integrity
Cooperation
Dependability
Concern for Others

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.
Greet visitors or callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the appropriate persons according to their needs.
Create, maintain, and enter information into databases.
Use computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing.
Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions.

Work Activities

Working with Computers
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Getting Information
Performing Administrative Activities
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Detailed Work Activities

Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Technology Skills

Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Data base user interface and query software
Video conferencing software
Data base management system software
Accounting software

Skills

Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Service Orientation

Knowledge

Administrative
English Language
Computers and Electronics
Customer and Personal Service
Administration and Management

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

These are the certification(s) applicable to Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive:

Certificate name

Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word 2016 Expert

Certifying Organization

Microsoft Corporation

Type

Product/Equipment

Certificate name

Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate (Office 365 and Office 2019)

Certifying Organization

Microsoft Corporation

Type

Product/Equipment

Certificate name

Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word Expert (Office 2019)

Certifying Organization

Microsoft Corporation

Type

Product/Equipment

Certificate name

Fundamental Payroll Certification

Certifying Organization

American Payroll Association

Type

Core

Certificate name

Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Excel 2016 Expert

Certifying Organization

Microsoft Corporation

Type

Product/Equipment

Certificate name	Certifying Organization	Type
Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word 2016 Expert	Microsoft Corporation	Product/Equipment
Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate (Office 365 and Office 2019)	Microsoft Corporation	Product/Equipment
Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word Expert (Office 2019)	Microsoft Corporation	Product/Equipment
Fundamental Payroll Certification	American Payroll Association	Core
Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Excel 2016 Expert	Microsoft Corporation	Product/Equipment

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income Percentile	Income
Low (10%)	$NaN
Median (50%)	$NaN
High (90%)	$NaN

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–7 years), to senior level (8+ years).

Experience	Income
Entry Level	$50,000
Mid Level	$100,000
Senior Level	$150,000

Employability

There are currently 1,982,300 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 1,976,200 positions, reflecting a projected growth of -0%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of -0%

Administrative Services Managers

Median Annual Income

$106,470

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

EnterprisingConventionalSocial

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers

Median Annual Income

$63,450

Projected Job Growth

-4 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.

EnterprisingConventionalSocial

Correspondence Clerks

Median Annual Income

$42,120

Projected Job Growth

-7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Financial Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Compose letters or electronic correspondence in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. Duties may include gathering data to formulate reply and preparing correspondence.

ConventionalEnterprising

Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs

Median Annual Income

$50,270

Projected Job Growth

+3 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing.

ConventionalSocialEnterprising

Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping

Median Annual Income

$47,710

Projected Job Growth

-5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Compile and keep personnel records. Record data for each employee, such as address, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports, and date of and reason for termination. May prepare reports for employment records, file employment records, or search employee files and furnish information to authorized persons.

ConventionalEnterprisingSocial

Receptionists and Information Clerks

Median Annual Income

$35,840

Projected Job Growth

-1 %

Career Cluster(s)

Hospitality, Events, & Tourism

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

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.

ConventionalEnterprisingSocial

Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

Median Annual Income

$70,310

Projected Job Growth

0 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

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. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.

ConventionalEnterprisingSocial

Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Median Annual Income

$50,680

Projected Job Growth

-5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.

ConventionalEnterprising

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Median Annual Income

$40,640

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

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.

ConventionalSocial

Office Clerks, General

Median Annual Income

$40,480

Projected Job Growth

-6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing.

Conventional

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), with ONET® being a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA; CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED); and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).