An Administrative Assistant plays a vital role in an organization. They keep the
office running smoothly and assist managers and professionals with their duties. This type of job is good for someone who likes variety, since an administrative assistant may be asked to perform a wide variety of duties including managing an office, working with other staff members, planning meetings, screening phone calls and taking messages, welcome visitors, keeping files organized, researching and writing reports, arranging travel, and a host of other duties to assist management.
Job Titles
Administrative Assistants positions may also be called:
- Clerk
- Communications equipment operator
- Computer operator
- Data entry and information processing worker
- Executive assistant
- Executive secretary
- Human resources assistant
- Information clerk
- Legal secretary
- Medical secretary
- Receptionist
- Secretary
- Secretary to Chief Executive Officer
Employment Statistics
Administrative Assistant work is among the largest occupations in the U.S. economy. According to the International Association of Administrative Professionals, more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants are currently working in the United States. Another 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles. More than 475,000 administrative professionals are employed in Canada. Millions more administrative professionals work in offices all over the world. Ninety percent of all administrative assistants are employed in service-providing industries, ranging from education and healthcare to government and retail trade. Manufacturing and construction industries also employ administrative assistants.
Employment Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that work for administrative assistants will increase by about 11% between 2008-2018, with the best opportunities for applicants that have extensive knowledge of computer software applications. Medical secretaries in particular will be in higher demand. Growing industries including education, construction, scientific and technical services will continue to generate the most new jobs.
Skills Needed
Administrative assistants need to have a wide variety of skills. Among them are:
- Word processing/typing
- Written communication skills including spelling, punctuation, grammar
- Oral communication skills
- Customer service and interpersonal skills.
- Organization
- Initiative
- Knowledge of computer software applications
- Desktop publishing
- Project management
- Spreadsheets design and data entry
- Database management.
Average salary
The average administrative assistant in 2011 earns from $26,000 to $28,000 per year. The average hourly pay is $9.86 to $19.27. Here are the average annual salaries for specific industries
- Local government – $32,610
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools – $31,530
- General medical and surgical hospitals – $30,960
- Elementary and secondary schools – $29,850
- Employment services – $28,340
- Local government – $41,880
- State government – $35,540
- Employment services – $33,820
- Legal secretaries – $39
Virtual assistants set their own rate structure and billing terms based on the type of work, skill level, cost of living in their area, experience, and personal financial needs. Those who bill using an hourly rate can range anywhere from $25 to $100 per hour. Some also bill on a per page or project rate.
Education and training
Entry-level secretarial positions may be open to high school graduates who have basic office skills, but more employers are seeking candidates with college degrees. A general business degree, a degree in English, or one related to the employer’s specific industry can be required for an administrative assistant job.
There are many ways to acquire the skills and education needed to be an administrative assistant. High school vocational education programs, business and vocational-technical schools, and community colleges offer courses for administrative assistants. There is special training for medical and legal secretaries. Online training is a great way to get the qualifications you need to become an administrative assistant.
