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
- File and retrieve corporate documents, records, and reports.
- Meet with individuals, special interest groups, and others on behalf of executives, committees, and boards of directors.
- Conduct research, compile data, and prepare papers for consideration and presentation by executives, committees, and boards of directors.
- Prepare responses to correspondence containing routine inquiries.
- Attend meetings to record minutes.
- Review operating practices and procedures to determine whether improvements can be made in areas such as workflow, reporting procedures, or expenditures.
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Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant Skills
When polled, Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Administrative Office Assistant
- Executive Secretary
- Personal Secretary
- Program Support Assistant
- Executive Administrative Assistant
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. There will be an estimated 54,600 positions for Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant per year.

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.
How Much Does an Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant Make?
The typical yearly salary for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants is somewhere 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.
How much do Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants make in each U.S. state?
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 |
What Tools & Technology do Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants Use?
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
Becoming an Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant
Are there Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become an Executive Secretary & Executive Administrative Assistant?

Where Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants work:

You May Also Be Interested In…
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References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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