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Administrative Assistant salary

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What an administrative assistant does

Administrative assistants keep an office running — scheduling, correspondence, records and supporting staff or executives.

Day-to-day duties

  • Manage calendars and schedule meetings
  • Handle correspondence and calls
  • Maintain filing and records
  • Prepare documents and reports
  • Order and manage supplies

Skills employers look for

  • Organisation and prioritisation
  • Office software proficiency
  • Written communication
  • Discretion with confidential information

Requirements Entry level

  • High school diploma; associate degree sometimes preferred
  • Strong office software skills
  • Typing speed and accuracy
  • Professional manner

How to get started

  1. 1 Start in a receptionist or clerical role
  2. 2 Build software and organisational skills
  3. 3 Move to executive assistant
  4. 4 Progress into office or operations management

Job outlook: Steady demand across every sector, with executive assistant roles paying substantially above general admin.

Common questions about administrative assistants

What does an administrative assistant do?

Administrative assistants keep an office running — scheduling, correspondence, records and supporting staff or executives. Day to day, that means manage calendars and schedule meetings, handle correspondence and calls, maintain filing and records and prepare documents and reports.

How do you become an administrative assistant?

The usual route is: (1) start in a receptionist or clerical role, (2) build software and organisational skills, (3) move to executive assistant, (4) progress into office or operations management. Employers typically look for high school diploma; associate degree sometimes preferred, strong office software skills and typing speed and accuracy.

Do you need a certification to work as an administrative assistant?

Usually not. Most employers hire administrative assistants without a specific licence, and train on the job.

Are administrative assistants in demand?

Steady demand across every sector, with executive assistant roles paying substantially above general admin.

Where are administrative assistants most in demand?

See the metro and rural areas with the highest concentration of this work, ranked from Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.

View demand map

Pay figures are estimates for guidance only, not an offer or guarantee. Advertised ranges come from job postings on LocalWork; government figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay depends on experience, certifications, shift and employer.