What Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Manage and maintain executives' schedules"; "Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements, and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software"; "Read and analyze incoming memos, submissions, and reports to determine their significance and plan their distribution"; "Open, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and email"; "File and retrieve corporate documents, records, and reports".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years.
Job outlook for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 489,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 489,200 in 2035, a decrease of 100 jobs (0%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 43,300 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.8% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $76,590, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants earn the most
Across the 13 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $69,647 in Georgia to $90,320 in District of Columbia, a gap of $20,673 (1.30 times). 9 of those 13 states average above the BLS national median of $76,590 and 4 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 94,610, which is 22.4% of the 421,970 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 86,270.
Highest-paying states
District of Columbia ($90,320), California ($88,736) and West Virginia ($88,136) lead the ranking, while Georgia ($69,647) and Indiana ($71,358) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants: pay against the cost of living
We compare 16 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $48,900. The smallest margin is $22,641 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 16 of the 16 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 18.4% and 51.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive and Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-6000) include .
Frequently asked questions about Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
How much do Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $76,590. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $69,647 to $90,320.
Which state pays Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants the most?
District of Columbia, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $90,320. California is next at $88,736.
Is Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to stay flat by 0% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 43,300 openings a year.
What education do Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years, according to BLS.
Where can Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $48,900 on a median wage of $90,320.