Administrative Assistant: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Administrative Assistants earn a national median of $46,290/yr with -1.6% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Administrative, English Language, Computers and Electronics.

Median Salary

$46,290

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

-1.6%

Declining

Employed Nationally

1,737,820

2024 data

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Administrative Assistant

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Administrative Assistant candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Active Listening 2 Speaking 3 Reading Comprehension 4 Writing 5 Service Orientation 6 Time Management 7 Monitoring 8 Coordination 9 Critical Thinking 10 Social Perceptiveness

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Administrative Assistant performance, based on verified occupational data.

Administrative English Language Computers and Electronics Customer and Personal Service Administration and Management

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Administrative Assistant roles.

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Adobe Acrobat Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow -1.6% for Administrative Assistant roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's declining compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
1,737,820
Projected Growth
-1.6%
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Administrative Assistant do?
Administrative Assistants apply expertise in Administrative, English Language, Computers and Electronics to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing.
How much does a Administrative Assistant make?
The national median salary for a Administrative Assistant is $46,290 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Administrative Assistant a good career in 2026?
Employment for Administrative Assistant roles is projected to grow -1.6% over the 2024–2034 decade — declining compared to all occupations. There are currently 1,737,820 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Administrative Assistant?
The typical entry-level education for a Administrative Assistant is High school diploma or equivalent. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Administrative Assistants need?
The most important skills for Administrative Assistant roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Service Orientation, Time Management, Monitoring, Coordination, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness. Key tools and technologies include: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.