What Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive this way: "Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation 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"; "Locate and attach appropriate files to incoming correspondence requiring replies"; "Open, read, route, and distribute incoming mail or other materials and answer routine letters"; "Complete forms in accordance with company procedures".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,889,800 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 1,775,700 in 2035, a decrease of 114,100 jobs (-6%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 163,900 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 8.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $47,540, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive earn the most
Across the 33 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $41,881 in Alabama to $57,407 in New Hampshire, a gap of $15,526 (1.37 times). 17 of those 33 states average above the BLS national median of $47,540 and 16 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 166,690, which is 8.4% of the 1,982,750 counted across them. New York follows with 165,130.
Highest-paying states
New Hampshire ($57,407), Massachusetts ($56,762) and Washington ($56,334) lead the ranking, while Alabama ($41,881) and Georgia ($42,451) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: pay against the cost of living
We compare 54 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 $23,789. The smallest margin is $351 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 54 of the 54 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 29.0% and 79.4% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants 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 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
What is the national median wage for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $47,540. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $41,881 to $57,407.
Which state pays Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive the most?
New Hampshire, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $57,407. Massachusetts is next at $56,762.
What is the job outlook for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 163,900 openings a year.
What education do Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $23,789 on a median wage of $53,660.