Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive earn a median of $47,540 per year ($22.86/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 6.0% through 2035, with about 163,900 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 43-6014
- Office and Administrative Support
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive in four numbers
- Median pay
- $47,540a year, or $22.86/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $33KTop 10% $66K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -6.0%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 163,9001,889,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20251.9M
- Projected 20351.8M
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 1.9M Projected 2035 1.8M - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school49.9%
- Certificate6.5%
- Some college10.2%
- Associate's22.4%
- Bachelor's11%
Highest education held by secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive Segment Value High school 49.9% Certificate 6.5% Some college 10.2% Associate's 22.4% Bachelor's 11%
Also advertised as: Administrative Assistant (Admin Assistant), Administrative Clerk, Administrative Secretary (Admin Secretary), Administrative Specialist (Admin Specialist), Administrative Support Assistant (ASA), Administrative Technician.
Pay
How much do secretaries and administrative assistants make?
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive earn a median of $47,540 a year ($22.86 an hour, or about $3,960 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $33,280 and the top 10% more than $66,350 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is District of Columbia, with a median of $59,910. See Secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive salary in District of Columbia and every other state. By city, pay is highest around San Jose ($66,410 average): salary in every city.
Every secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$47,540
Middle half earn $38,830 to $58,000
- 10th
- $33,280
- 25th
- $38,830
- 75th
- $58,000
- 90th
- $66,350
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $33,280 |
| 25th | $38,830 |
| Median | $47,540 |
| 75th | $58,000 |
| 90th | $66,350 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $47,540
- Median hourly wage
- $22.86/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $49,350
- People employed
- 1,706,790
Versus all US occupations
At $47,540, Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive earn 7% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $3,440 a year.
Versus office and administrative support occupations
Inside the Office and Administrative Support group, where the middle occupation pays $49,230, this is 3% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $66,350 or more while the bottom 10% earn $33,280, a gap of 2.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 17% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($59,910), but once local prices are taken into account Connecticut leads at $55,217 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay secretaries and administrative assistants the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $59,910 | $54,513 | 11,800 |
| 2Massachusetts | $57,940 | $54,786 | 37,750 |
| 3Washington | $57,330 | $53,573 | 31,710 |
| 4Connecticut | $57,210 | $55,217 | 22,650 |
| 5California | $55,400 | $50,036 | 158,630 |
| 6Rhode Island | $52,140 | $50,978 | 5,200 |
| 7Oregon | $51,740 | $50,058 | 23,150 |
| 8Minnesota | $51,400 | $52,119 | 31,330 |
| 9Hawaii | $50,830 | $46,230 | 7,020 |
| 10New Jersey | $50,260 | $46,193 | 65,960 |
Job outlook
Is secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -6.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | −6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive to change -6.0% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 114,100 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 163,900 openings are projected each year, 8.7% of the 1,889,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of secretaries and administrative assistants varies by occupation (see table).
Employment growth is projected for medical secretaries, primarily due to the growth of the healthcare industry. More medical secretaries will be needed to handle administrative tasks and to ensure that operations in healthcare facilities run smoothly.
AI exposure: very high
BLS places this occupation in its very high relative AI exposure category, among the occupations most exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become a secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive
High school graduates who are comfortable using word processing and spreadsheet programs typically 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 to learn industry-specific terminology. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants typically need several years of related work experience.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)49.9%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree22.4%
- Bachelor's Degree11%
- Some College Courses10.2%
- Post-Secondary Certificate6.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 49.9% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 22.4% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 11% |
| Some College Courses | 10.2% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 6.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive do?
Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.
Secretaries and administrative assistants do routine clerical and organizational tasks. They arrange files, prepare documents, schedule appointments, and support other staff.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- Make copies of correspondence or other printed material.
- Set up and manage paper or electronic filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents, such as attendance records, correspondence, or other material.
- Conduct searches to find needed information, using such sources as the Internet.
- Complete forms in accordance with company procedures.
- Create, maintain, and enter information into databases.
- Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most secretaries and administrative assistants work full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Writing3.8
- Monitoring3.1
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Active Learning2.9
- Learning Strategies2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.8 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Service Orientation3.5
- Time Management3.5
- Coordination3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Management of Personnel Resources2.6
- Negotiation2.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 3.5 |
| Time Management | 3.5 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 2.6 |
| Negotiation | 2.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software · in demand
- Content workflow software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive?
Women make up 91.9% of secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation.
34.3% are 55 or older (23.2% across all jobs), so a larger-than-usual share of the workforce reaches retirement age over the next decade. Those exits are counted in the BLS openings figure.
The median worker is 47.9 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 91.9%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 47.9All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 34.3%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 1,491,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 91.9% | 47.1% |
| White | 83.8% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 8.4% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 4.2% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17.8% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 34.3% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 6.4% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 2 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 7 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Conventional7.0
- Enterprising4.2
- Social3.6
- Realistic2.0
- Investigative1.4
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
O*NET related occupations
- Office and Administrative Support
Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant
$76,590median a year
Most earn $51K to $110K
0.0%High school - Office and Administrative Support
- Management
- Office and Administrative Support
Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant
$55,570median a year
Most earn $37K to $92K
−5.2%High school - Office and Administrative Support
Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant
$45,930median a year
Most earn $36K to $61K
+4.8%High school - Office and Administrative Support
First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers
$69,500median a year
Most earn $46K to $105K
+0.1%High school
More office and administrative support careers
Median annual pay, with secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive highlighted
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant$76,590
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant$55,570
- Public Safety Telecommunicator$53,040
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk$50,670
- Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$50,610
- Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47,540
- Customer Service Representative$44,770
- Teller$43,030
- Receptionist and Information Clerk$38,010
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant | $76,590 |
| Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant | $55,570 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $53,040 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk | $50,670 |
| Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping | $50,610 |
| Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,540 |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,770 |
| Teller | $43,030 |
| Receptionist and Information Clerk | $38,010 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive appears on
Questions
Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: frequently asked questions
How much do secretaries and administrative assistants make?
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive earn a median of $47,540 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 7% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $22.86/hr. The middle half earn between $38,830 and $58,000. The top 10% earn $66,350 or more.
How much do secretaries and administrative assistants make an hour?
The median hourly wage for secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive is $22.86 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $47,540 annual median works out to about $3,960 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive earn less than $33,280 a year and the bottom quarter less than $38,830 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Which states pay secretaries and administrative assistants the most?
The highest state medians for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive are District of Columbia ($59,910), Massachusetts ($57,940), Washington ($57,330) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Connecticut moves to the top at $55,217.
What kind of secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive earns the most?
BLS does not split secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $66,350, against a median of $47,540 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are District of Columbia ($59,910), Massachusetts ($57,940), Washington ($57,330).
Do you need a degree to become a secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 49.9% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
How long does it take to become a secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for secretaries and administrative assistants is a high school diploma or equivalent. Once hired, BLS lists short-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing some preparation.
Is secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 6.0% over 2025–2035, a loss of 114,100 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 163,900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive do?
Secretaries and administrative assistants do routine clerical and organizational tasks. A core O*NET task: use computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Analytical or scientific software, Cloud-based data access and sharing software.
Do secretaries and administrative assistants work 40 hours a week?
Yes, for most. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 24% of secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive usually work more than 40 hours a week, 50% work exactly 40 and 26% work fewer. 100% say their schedule is regular and 0% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a secretary and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive?
O*NET scores Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive highest on the Conventional, Enterprising and Social interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESFJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of secretaries and administrative assistants are women?
Women make up 91.9% of secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation. 34.3% are 55 or older (23.2% across all jobs), so a larger-than-usual share of the workforce reaches retirement age over the next decade. Those exits are counted in the BLS openings figure. The median worker is 47.9 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.