Job Outlook
According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to decline 9 percent from 2019 to 2029.
Pay
According to BLS, the median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants was $40,990 in May 2020.
Administrative jobs can encompass a wide variety of duties. Administrative workers are those who provide support to a company. This support might include general office management, answering phones, speaking with clients, assisting an employer, clerical work (including maintaining records and entering data), or a variety of other tasks.
Here are some type of administrative jobs, since it is such a broad category:
Administrative Assistants and Secretaries
Secretaries and administrative assistants perform a variety of administrative and clerical duties. They might answer phones and support customers, organize files, prepare documents, and schedule appointments. Some companies use the terms "secretaries" and "administrative assistants" interchangeably. However, administrative assistants often have a higher degree of responsibility. Along with doing the work of a secretary, they might also be involved in organizing meetings and conferences, performing bookkeeping tasks, and even managing the office budget.
Bill and Account Collectors
Bill and account collectors help manage and maintain the finances of a company. They receive payments, record financial information, and arrange for payment of overdue bills. They often help debtors find solutions for paying their overdue bills. They might also perform other related clerical duties.
Financial Clerks
This job type includes bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks. These clerks produce and maintain financial records for companies. There are also financial clerks who perform less specified duties, such as carrying out financial transactions and helping customers. These clerks typically require a high school diploma, while bookkeepers, accountants, and auditing clerks require some postsecondary education.
General Office Clerks
General office clerks perform a variety of administrative tasks. They might answer telephones, file records, type and maintain documents, and assist clients. They might also do some basic bookkeeping and financial transactions.
Information Clerks
Information clerks perform a variety of clerical duties. They often gather information to help the company. This might involve searching databases, retrieving files, or maintaining records. They typically need at least some coursework or experience with spreadsheet computer programs.
Mail Clerks
Postal service clerks receive, sort, and deliver mail. They may also assist customers either on the phone or in person.
Receptionists
Receptionists perform a variety of administrative tasks. They are often the first point of contact for clients and customers. They answer phones, greet customers, and answer questions about the organization.
