Secretary / Administrative Assistant
O*NET-SOC: 43-6014.00
Provides clerical and administrative support to offices, managing schedules, handling correspondence, organizing files, coordinating meetings, and performing data entry and office management tasks.
About this Role
Secretaries and administrative assistants keep offices running by handling the organizational tasks that other staff depend on. They manage calendars for one or more executives, schedule meetings across multiple time zones, answer and route phone calls, and draft or edit correspondence such as emails, memos, and letters. Much of their day involves working with office software for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations, along with maintaining both digital and physical filing systems so that documents can be retrieved quickly when needed.
A Day in the Life
8:00 AM
Review inbox and voicemails
Scan overnight emails and phone messages, flag anything urgent for the supervisor, and sort remaining items by priority.
8:30 AM
Answer and route calls
Handle incoming phone calls, take detailed messages, and transfer callers to the appropriate person or department.
10:00 AM
Prepare meeting materials
Format agendas, assemble briefing packets, reserve a conference room, and make sure the projector and video setup are working.
11:30 AM
Process and file documents
Enter data into spreadsheets or databases, scan and file reports, and double-check entries for accuracy before archiving.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Step out for lunch and review the afternoon calendar on the way back.
1:30 PM
Coordinate schedules and travel
Update calendars for the team, book flights and hotels for an upcoming business trip, and send appointment confirmations.
3:00 PM
Greet visitors
Welcome visitors at the front desk, sign them in, and direct them to the correct office or conference room.
4:30 PM
Wrap up and plan ahead
File the day's paperwork, place an order for office supplies, and prepare a priority list for the next morning.
Tools & Technologies
Database Systems
- Apache Cassandra
- Apache Hadoop
- Apache Hive
- Teradata Database
- Apache Pig
Graphics & Design
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Canva
- Flickr
Project Management
- Confluence
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Teams
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
Databases & Data Tools
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Oracle Database
- Airtable
- FileMaker Pro
Web Development
- Apache Tomcat
- HTML
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- Drupal
Operating Systems
- macOS
- Linux
- Microsoft Windows
- Solaris
Salary Details
Salary Distribution
Most professionals earn between $38K and $56K
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $32K |
| 25th | $38K |
| 50th (Median) | $46K |
| 75th | $56K |
| 90th | $64K |
Certifications, Training & Memberships
Essential
Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
Focuses on advanced administrative competencies like scheduling and document preparation essential for government roles.
Recommended
Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
Demonstrates mastery of office management skills including records management and communication.
Helpful
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Word and Excel
Microsoft
Validates proficiency in key tools for report formatting, data entry, and database maintenance.
Professional Memberships
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Membership
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
Provides networking, resources, and professional development for administrative professionals.
Work Environment
- Remote Work
- Hybrid (Remote + Office)
- Work Setting
- Traditional office / indoor
- Physical Activity
- Mostly sedentary
- Social Interaction
- Highly collaborative — frequent team interaction
- Schedule
- Extended hours common
Your Skills & Attributes
Skills & Competencies Matches (44)
- Time ManagementGood Match
- Active ListeningStrong Match
- SpeakingStrong Match
- Reading ComprehensionGood Match
- WritingGood Match
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Secretary / Administrative Assistant a good career?
Secretary / Administrative Assistant can be a rewarding career choice. Based on current data, the median salary is $46K and job outlook is declining (-9% projected growth). Whether it's a good fit depends on your skills, interests, and values — take our quiz to find out how well you match.
What degree do you need to become a Secretary / Administrative Assistant?
The typical education requirement for a Secretary / Administrative Assistant is a High School Diploma. However, requirements can vary by employer and specialization. Some professionals enter the field with alternative credentials or relevant work experience.
How long does it take to become a Secretary / Administrative Assistant?
Becoming a Secretary / Administrative Assistant typically requires about 4 years of high school education. Additional time may be needed for certifications, internships, or on-the-job training depending on the specific role and employer requirements.
What is the work-life balance like for a Secretary / Administrative Assistant?
The work-life balance for a Secretary / Administrative Assistant is generally considered good, with reasonable hours and manageable workloads. Individual experiences vary based on employer, specialization, seniority level, and geographic location.
What is the job outlook for Secretary / Administrative Assistant?
The job outlook for Secretary / Administrative Assistant is declining. Employment is projected to decline by 9% over the coming decade. Labor market conditions can vary by region and specialization.
Find Secretary / Administrative Assistant Jobs
Google Jobs
Aggregated listings from across the web
Search Secretary / Administrative Assistant jobs
Indeed
One of the largest job search engines
Search Secretary / Administrative Assistant jobs
Professional network job listings
Search Secretary / Administrative Assistant jobs