Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Administrative Assistant
- Administrative Secretary
- Executive Assistant
- Executive Secretary
Alternate Job Titles
- Administrative Aide
- Administrative Assistant
- Administrative Associate
- Administrative Coordinator
- Administrative Liaison
- Administrative Office Assistant
- Administrative Office Specialist
- Administrative Officer
- Administrative Secretary
- Administrative Services Assistant
- Administrative Specialist
- Administrative Support Specialist
- Clerical Specialist
- Confidential Secretary
- Congressional Apprentice
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Manage and maintain executives' schedules.
- Make travel arrangements for executives.
- Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements, and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.
- Coordinate and direct office services, such as records, departmental finances, budget preparation, personnel issues, and housekeeping, to aid executives.
- Answer phone calls and direct calls to appropriate parties or take messages.
- Prepare responses to correspondence containing routine inquiries.
- Open, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and email.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Keep track of employees' time.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Administrative
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Service Orientation
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- 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:
- Relationships
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Apple macOS
- Cisco Webex
- Google Docs
- Google Workspace software
- Intuit QuickBooks
Tools & Equipment
- 10-key calculators
- Data input scanners
- Desktop computers
- Dictation equipment
- Digital cameras
- Electric typewriters
- Handheld calculators
- Handheld computers
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Liquid crystal display LCD video projectors
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Pagers
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $48,300 |
| Median | $74,260 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $107,710 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 472,770
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,290
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
Office Clerks, General
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $43,630
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $66,140
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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.