Office & Administrative Support
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Also called: Administrative Assistant (Admin Assistant), Administrative Clerk, Administrative Secretary (Admin Secretary), Administrative Specialist (Admin Specialist)
US median pay
$47,540
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-6%
declining
Openings a year (US)
163,900
1,889,800 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Set up and manage paper or electronic filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents, such as attendance records, correspondence, or other material.
- Operate electronic mail systems and coordinate the flow of information, internally or with other organizations.
- Schedule and confirm appointments for clients, customers, or supervisors.
- Maintain scheduling and event calendars.
- Compose, type, and distribute meeting notes, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Time Management3.5/5
- Service Orientation3.5/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
- Management of Personnel Resources2.6/5
- Negotiation2.4/5
Knowledge
- Administrative4.5/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Computers and Electronics3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Mathematics2.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma50%
- Associate's degree22%
- Bachelor's degree11%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.