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
Short-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.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive, play a central role in coordinating office activities and supporting day-to-day operations. Nationally, this occupation employs about 1,944,000 workers, indicating a large and established field. Typical entry into this career requires a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible to individuals who do not plan to complete a college degree. Key strengths for success include computers and information technology, interpersonal abilities, speaking and listening, and strong writing and reading skills. Customer service, project management, fine motor skills, adaptability, mathematics, and attention to detail are also important. While projected employment growth is -1.6%, there are still an estimated 203,000 annual openings, reflecting turnover and replacement needs. Individuals considering this path can also explore related roles such as legal secretaries and administrative assistants, office clerks, medical secretaries, office and administrative support workers, and human resources assistants as alternative or next-step options.
The national median annual salary for secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive, is $46,290. Earnings vary by location, with some states offering higher typical pay. For example, California reports a median salary of $55,400, Massachusetts $57,940, Washington $57,330, and New York $49,600. Among metro areas, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA shows a median salary of $62,940, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is close behind at $62,110. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH has a median of $59,330, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV reports $53,660. These figures suggest that workers in certain states and metro areas may see higher earning potential than the national median. Because the typical education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, this salary profile may appeal to people seeking office-based roles without investing in lengthy formal education.
This occupation has national employment of about 1,944,000 workers, highlighting its broad presence across many types of organizations. Projected employment growth is -1.6%, indicating a modest decline in total positions over time. However, the occupation still shows 203,000 annual openings. These openings reflect ongoing movement within the workforce, including people changing careers, advancing to different roles, or leaving the labor force. As a result, individuals entering the field may continue to find opportunities even as overall employment edges down. The consistent projection of -1.6% growth across highlighted states and metro areas shows a relatively uniform outlook geographically. For those evaluating long-term prospects, it can be useful to consider both the large current employment base and the steady flow of annual openings when planning a career path as a secretary or administrative assistant or when comparing this role to similar occupations.
Location plays a meaningful role in opportunity for secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive. Among states, California and Massachusetts stand out with higher opportunity scores, 67.38 and 65.87 respectively, supported by median salaries of $55,400 and $57,940. New York also offers a relatively strong profile with 122,490 employed and an opportunity score of 65.78. Colorado and Washington present opportunity scores in the mid-50s, with Washington combining a $57,330 median salary and 31,710 employed. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has the highest opportunity score at 77.42 and a median salary of $62,940. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro closely follows with a 77.27 opportunity score and 122,680 employed. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also offer relatively high salaries and solid scores. These differences suggest that certain coastal and large metropolitan areas currently offer particularly strong combinations of pay and opportunity score within this occupation.
The typical education requirement for secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive, is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the career accessible to individuals who complete secondary education and are ready to enter the workforce without additional formal schooling. Success in this occupation relies heavily on a broad skill set rather than advanced degrees. Important abilities include computers and information technology, interpersonal skills, speaking and listening, and strong writing and reading. Customer service and project management skills support effective coordination of tasks and interactions. Fine motor skills, adaptability, mathematics, and being detail oriented also contribute to everyday performance. Together, these competencies form a balanced profile that combines communication, organization, and technical comfort. People who already possess many of these skills, or who are motivated to develop them through on-the-job learning and shorter training opportunities, may find this career a practical option aligned with their educational background.
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