Career Overview
Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.
Also Known As
- Administrative Assistant (Admin Assistant)
- Administrative Secretary (Admin Secretary)
- Office Assistant
- Secretary
Alternate Job Titles
- Administrative Assistant (Admin Assistant)
- Administrative Associate
- Administrative Clerk
- Administrative Coordinator
- Administrative Liaison
- Administrative Resources Associate
- Administrative Secretary (Admin Secretary)
- Administrative Specialist (Admin Specialist)
- Administrative Support Assistant (ASA)
- Administrative Support Specialist
- Administrative Technician
- Alumni Secretary
- Appointment Scheduler
- Clerical Secretary
- Clerk Secretary
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Administrative
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Information Ordering
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Apache Cassandra
- Apache Hadoop
- Apache Hive
- Apache Tomcat
- Apple macOS
Tools & Equipment
- Data input scanners
- Desktop computers
- Dictation equipment
- Digital cameras
- Handheld calculators
- Handheld computers
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Mobile phones
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Pagers
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
- Photocopiers
- Photocopying equipment
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $31,600 |
| Median | $46,290 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $64,150 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 1,737,820
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $74,260
Office Clerks, General
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $43,630
Administrative Services Managers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $108,390
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $54,140
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $44,640
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.