National
| Median wages (2008) |
$19.24 hourly, $40,030 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
1,618,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
497,000 additional employees |
43-6011.00 - Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, handling information requests, and performing clerical functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.
Sample of reported job titles:
Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant, Executive Secretary, Administrative Secretary, Office Manager, Administrative Coordinator, Administrative Aide, Administrative Associate, Executive Administrative Assistant, Secretary
Tasks
- Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.
- Answer phone calls and direct calls to appropriate parties or take messages.
- Conduct research, compile data, and prepare papers for consideration and presentation by executives, committees and boards of directors.
- Attend meetings to record minutes.
- Greet visitors and determine whether they should be given access to specific individuals.
- Read and analyze incoming memos, submissions, and reports to determine their significance and plan their distribution.
- Perform general office duties, such as ordering supplies, maintaining records management database systems, and performing basic bookkeeping work.
- File and retrieve corporate documents, records, and reports.
- Open, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and email.
- Make travel arrangements for executives.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Notebook computers — Laptop computers |
| Pagers |
| Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers — Handheld computers; Personal digital assistants PDA |
| Scanners — Data input scanners |
| Special purpose telephones — Multiline telephone systems |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — Intuit QuickBooks software; Sage Peachtree software |
| Data base user interface and query software — Database software; Microsoft Access; RefWorks |
| Electronic mail software — Email software; Microsoft Outlook |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Word processing software — Corel WordPerfect software; Microsoft Word; Transcription software |
