Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants support healthcare settings by handling administrative and office-based tasks. This occupation has a national median annual salary of $44,640 and employs about 850,000 people, showing it is a large field with many existing roles. Projected employment growth of 4.2% and an estimated 86,000 annual openings suggest a steady stream of opportunities over time, including both new positions and turnover. Strong skills in customer service, interpersonal communication, computers and information technology, and detailed administrative work are central to success in this career. Many roles can be accessed with a high school diploma or equivalent, which can make entry more attainable for a wide range of job seekers. For those interested in related paths, similar occupations include other secretarial and administrative roles, human resources assistants, and information and record clerks. Overall, this career offers a sizable job market and consistent demand, especially for detail-oriented, adaptable professionals.
The national median annual salary for medical secretaries and administrative assistants is $44,640, but pay varies across states and metro areas. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $46,920 in Colorado to $58,100 in Washington. California and Massachusetts also show higher state-level medians of $54,490 and $50,290, respectively, while New York’s median stands at $47,710. At the metro level, earnings can be even higher. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro has a median salary of $69,350, and the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro reports $61,330. Other large metros such as Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV offer median salaries between $48,280 and $51,600. These figures show that geographic choice can significantly influence earning potential within this occupation.
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants have a national employment level of about 850,000, indicating a broad presence in the labor market. Projected employment growth of 4.2% suggests that the total number of positions is expected to increase over time. In addition to growth, this occupation is expected to have about 86,000 annual openings, reflecting a combination of new jobs and turnover in existing roles. The same 4.2% projected growth rate appears across several highlighted states and metro areas, indicating consistent expectations in multiple regions. Together, the large employment base, positive projected growth, and sizeable annual openings point to ongoing demand for workers in this field. Job seekers with the right mix of administrative and interpersonal skills may find multiple entry points and mobility options, and experienced workers may see opportunities to move among regions or employers as positions open.
Location can make a meaningful difference for medical secretaries and administrative assistants, both in pay and in the number of available jobs. Among states with top CareerGPS opportunity scores, California stands out with a median salary of $54,490 and employment of 115,050, the highest employment figure in this group. Washington shows the highest listed state median salary at $58,100, though with lower employment of 10,960. Massachusetts and New York combine mid-to-upper $40,000s and low $50,000s median salaries with employment of 22,210 and 57,720, respectively, while Colorado offers a median of $46,920 with 11,560 employed. At the metro level, differences are even clearer. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a median salary of $69,350 and an opportunity score of 77.42, the highest among the listed metros. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has the highest employment at 52,640 and a similarly strong opportunity score of 77.27. San Francisco, Washington DC-area, and Boston metros offer median salaries from $48,280 to $61,330 and solid employment levels, giving location-focused candidates several attractive regional options.
The typical education requirement for medical secretaries and administrative assistants is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to many people who are completing or have recently completed secondary education, as well as career changers who may not hold a college degree. However, success in this occupation depends heavily on a strong skill set. Key skills include customer service, interpersonal abilities, and speaking and listening, which support frequent interaction with patients and colleagues. Competence with computers and information technology, along with project management, helps in organizing and tracking administrative work. Writing and reading skills, detail orientation, and fine motor abilities support accurate documentation and handling of physical materials. Critical and analytical thinking and adaptability round out the profile, helping workers manage changing tasks and priorities. Building and demonstrating these skills can be as important as formal education for entering and progressing in this career.
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