What is an Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant?
Job Description & Duties 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.
Life As an Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant
- 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.
- Conduct research, compile data, and prepare papers for consideration and presentation by executives, committees, and boards of directors.
- Provide clerical support to other departments.
- Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements, and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.
- Manage and maintain executives’ schedules.
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Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant Jobs
- Personal Assistant
- Administrative Aide
- Administrative Support Specialist
- Project Assistant
- Corporate Secretary
What Kind of Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 685,300 jobs for Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant. The BLS estimates 54,600 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant are Maryland, Alaska, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Connecticut, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of an Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant
The average yearly salary of an Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant ranges between $36,950 and $89,310.

Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants who work in New York, California, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $61,140 |
Alaska | $62,130 |
Arizona | $55,030 |
Arkansas | $49,850 |
California | $71,590 |
Colorado | $56,830 |
Connecticut | $70,690 |
Delaware | $63,000 |
District of Columbia | $72,090 |
Florida | $51,780 |
Georgia | $60,700 |
Hawaii | $58,730 |
Idaho | $46,180 |
Illinois | $58,670 |
Indiana | $50,080 |
Iowa | $50,810 |
Kansas | $51,760 |
Kentucky | $48,280 |
Louisiana | $43,160 |
Maine | $50,960 |
Maryland | $67,880 |
Massachusetts | $62,150 |
Michigan | $58,070 |
Minnesota | $56,730 |
Mississippi | $40,970 |
Missouri | $58,520 |
Montana | $52,320 |
Nebraska | $48,360 |
Nevada | $62,900 |
New Hampshire | $59,500 |
New Jersey | $68,360 |
New Mexico | $63,260 |
New York | $72,040 |
North Carolina | $55,950 |
North Dakota | $48,500 |
Ohio | $57,980 |
Oklahoma | $45,670 |
Oregon | $57,330 |
Pennsylvania | $59,210 |
Rhode Island | $64,180 |
South Carolina | $55,850 |
South Dakota | $39,030 |
Tennessee | $53,080 |
Texas | $59,430 |
Utah | $53,220 |
Vermont | $54,820 |
Virginia | $64,190 |
Washington | $62,120 |
West Virginia | $49,090 |
Wisconsin | $57,120 |
Wyoming | $49,410 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
How to Become an Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant
Learn what Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant education requirements there are.

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants Work

Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants work in the following industries:

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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