How to become a secretaries and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive

Q: How do I become a secretaries and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive?

The typical entry-level education is usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..

Q: How much does a secretaries and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive make?

The median pay in the United States is $47,540 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.

Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.Typical entry-level education

$47,540Median pay a year

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive do

Review work done by others to check for correct spelling and grammar, ensure that company format policies are followed, and recommend revisions.
Order and dispense supplies.
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.
Create, maintain, and enter information into databases.
Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions.

Skills that matter most

Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Learning Strategies

Is secretaries and administrative assistant, except legal, medical, and executive a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 7% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

District of Columbia $59,910
Massachusetts $57,940
Washington $57,330
Connecticut $57,210
California $55,400

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.