JobAfterNext

Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.

Wages

Median annual wage, U.S.$76,590
Employment, U.S.459,910
Median hourly wage$36.82
Annual wage percentiles, U.S., May 2025
10th25thMedian75th90th
$50,560$61,390$76,590$94,390$109,850
By state (51)
StateEmploymentMedian annualLocation quotient
Alabama2,880$69,4500.46
Alaska1,320$66,2101.37
Arizona6,490$70,7700.68
Arkansas2,070$51,6000.54
California59,640$89,0001.11
Colorado10,340$65,8501.22
Connecticut6,490$82,5201.29
Delaware1,320$78,9200.92
District of Columbia4,560$90,8502.20
Florida19,220$64,7100.65
Georgia14,560$68,2901.01
Hawaii1,440$80,7100.77
Idaho1,180$60,2000.46
Illinois14,900$74,3900.83
Indiana5,060$59,0800.53
Iowa4,150$62,3400.90
Kansas2,750$64,8600.65
Kentucky2,700$62,4100.46
Louisiana9,270$53,2401.62
Maine2,320$64,1001.22
Maryland13,960$78,5401.71
Massachusetts14,820$82,6501.38
Michigan9,030$66,8400.69
Minnesota7,970$78,4700.91
Mississippi1,240$55,6700.36
Missouri8,500$60,3200.98
Montana550$59,7500.36
Nebraska1,860$66,2100.61
Nevada2,670$67,8300.58
New Hampshire1,210$71,6500.60
New Jersey11,690$89,5200.92
New Mexico2,800$73,8901.09
New York88,890$80,6403.10
North Carolina8,890$70,1400.61
North Dakota540$61,2700.42
Ohio10,940$69,6000.67
Oklahoma2,810$59,9100.56
Oregon6,000$75,4801.03
Pennsylvania12,910$75,2700.72
Rhode Island950$77,8200.64
South Carolina3,880$60,8900.57
South Dakota1,230$55,1700.91
Tennessee5,360$68,1900.55
Texas34,520$71,9900.83
Utah5,440$61,1301.06
Vermont770$70,7700.85
Virginia10,360$80,3300.85
Washington11,560$79,2501.10
West Virginia860$63,8200.41
Wisconsin4,480$68,9200.51
Wyoming560$52,2100.67

Similar occupations

Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.

#OccupationJob ZoneSimilarity
1Office Clerks, General1-20.982
2Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive1-20.973
3Receptionists and Information Clerks1-20.972
4Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks1-20.970
5Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping30.965
6Correspondence Clerks1-20.964
7Medical Records Specialists30.961
8Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers1-20.960
9Loan Interviewers and Clerks30.959
10Project Management Specialists40.956

One skill away

Among the 50 occupations most similar to Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.

OccupationSkill to buildLevel gapSimilarity
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue AgentsMathematics1.000.948
Brokerage ClerksMathematics1.250.945
Eligibility Interviewers, Government ProgramsSocial Perceptiveness0.760.941
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing ClerksMathematics1.130.940

Software to learn next

Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, excluding software Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.

SoftwareSimilar jobs using itLift
Medical procedure coding software9 of 209.2x
Medical condition coding software8 of 209.2x
ADP Workforce Now7 of 2012.4x
Document management system software6 of 2017.3x
Filing system software4 of 2046.2x
Billing software5 of 2010.5x
Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS6 of 206.9x
Alpha Software Alpha Five3 of 2046.2x
IBM Check Processing Control System CPSC3 of 2046.2x
St. Paul Travelers e-CARMA3 of 2046.2x

Skills

From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.

SkillTypeImportanceLevel
Active ListeningEssential skill 4.00 4.00
Reading ComprehensionEssential skill 4.00 4.00
SpeakingEssential skill 3.88 3.88
Service OrientationTransferable skill 3.75 3.75
WritingEssential skill 3.75 3.75
CoordinationTransferable skill 3.38 3.00
Critical ThinkingEssential skill 3.25 3.75
Social PerceptivenessTransferable skill 3.25 3.12
Time ManagementTransferable skill 3.25 3.00
MonitoringEssential skill 3.12 3.62
Active LearningEssential skill 3.12 3.12
Judgment and Decision MakingTransferable skill 3.12 2.88
NegotiationTransferable skill 3.00 2.62
Complex Problem SolvingTransferable skill 2.88 3.00
Learning StrategiesEssential skill 2.88 3.00
InstructingTransferable skill 2.88 2.88
PersuasionTransferable skill 2.88 2.88
Systems AnalysisTransferable skill 2.75 2.50
MathematicsEssential skill 2.75 2.25
Systems EvaluationTransferable skill 2.62 2.62
Management of Personnel ResourcesTransferable skill 2.38 2.38
Quality Control AnalysisTransferable skill 2.12 1.88
Management of Material ResourcesTransferable skill 2.00 1.25
Management of Financial ResourcesTransferable skill 1.88 1.25
ProgrammingTransferable skill 1.88 1.25
Operations MonitoringTransferable skill 1.75 1.25
Technology DesignTransferable skill 1.75 0.75
Operations AnalysisTransferable skill 1.50 0.88
ScienceEssential skill 1.38 0.38
Operation and ControlTransferable skill 1.25not rated
Equipment SelectionTransferable skill 1.12not rated
RepairingTransferable skill 1.12not rated
Equipment MaintenanceTransferable skill 1.00not rated
InstallationTransferable skill 1.00not rated
TroubleshootingTransferable skill 1.00not rated
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
Knowledge
NameImportanceLevel
Administrative 4.52 6.03
English Language 4.16 3.97
Customer and Personal Service 3.46 3.75
Computers and Electronics 3.30 3.80
Administration and Management 3.18 3.28
Personnel and Human Resources 2.77 2.66
Communications and Media 2.67 2.67
Mathematics 2.52 2.78
Public Safety and Security 2.31 1.90
Telecommunications 2.14 1.09
Education and Training 2.11 2.11
Law and Government 2.11 2.07
Economics and Accounting 2.09 1.93
Transportation 2.01 1.90
Psychology 1.94 1.49
Sociology and Anthropology 1.82 1.21
Philosophy and Theology 1.72 1.30
Sales and Marketing 1.51not rated
Foreign Language 1.40 0.62
Production and Processing 1.39 0.77
Geography 1.36 0.73
Therapy and Counseling 1.33 0.57
Medicine and Dentistry 1.30not rated
Mechanical 1.30 0.58
Design 1.19not rated
Engineering and Technology 1.19not rated
Fine Arts 1.19not rated
History and Archeology 1.17not rated
Chemistry 1.14not rated
Physics 1.13not rated
Biology 1.09not rated
Building and Construction 1.09not rated
Food Production 1.09not rated
Abilities
NameImportanceLevel
Speech Recognition 4.00 4.12
Oral Comprehension 4.00 4.00
Oral Expression 4.00 4.00
Written Comprehension 4.00 4.00
Written Expression 4.00 4.00
Near Vision 3.88 4.12
Speech Clarity 3.88 3.88
Information Ordering 3.38 3.12
Problem Sensitivity 3.25 3.00
Category Flexibility 3.12 3.12
Deductive Reasoning 3.12 3.12
Perceptual Speed 3.12 2.75
Inductive Reasoning 3.00 3.12
Flexibility of Closure 3.00 3.00
Fluency of Ideas 3.00 3.00
Originality 3.00 3.00
Selective Attention 3.00 3.00
Far Vision 2.88 3.12
Time Sharing 2.88 2.88
Mathematical Reasoning 2.88 2.62
Memorization 2.75 2.75
Number Facility 2.62 2.75
Speed of Closure 2.62 2.50
Finger Dexterity 2.62 2.25
Visualization 2.25 2.25
Auditory Attention 2.25 2.12
Wrist-Finger Speed 2.12 1.88
Visual Color Discrimination 1.88 1.75
Hearing Sensitivity 1.88 1.50
Manual Dexterity 1.88 1.00
Arm-Hand Steadiness 1.75 0.88
Control Precision 1.62 0.75
Multilimb Coordination 1.62 0.62
Trunk Strength 1.50 0.88
Static Strength 1.38 0.38
Depth Perception 1.25not rated
Dynamic Strength 1.25not rated
Explosive Strength 1.25not rated
Response Orientation 1.25not rated
Extent Flexibility 1.12not rated
Dynamic Flexibility 1.00not rated
Glare Sensitivity 1.00not rated
Gross Body Coordination 1.00not rated
Gross Body Equilibrium 1.00not rated
Night Vision 1.00not rated
Peripheral Vision 1.00not rated
Rate Control 1.00not rated
Reaction Time 1.00not rated
Sound Localization 1.00not rated
Spatial Orientation 1.00not rated
Speed of Limb Movement 1.00not rated
Stamina 1.00not rated

Software used

Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.

All 89
  • Appointment scheduling software
  • Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Database software
  • Dropbox
  • Eko
  • Epicor Vantage ERP
  • Evernote
  • Exact Software Macola ES
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Fishbowl Warehouse
  • Geac MPC Production
  • Google Drive
  • Google Meet
  • Google Sites
  • Google Slides
  • Graphics software
  • Human resource management software HRMS
  • IBM Notes
  • Inetsoft
  • Intrado SchoolMessenger
  • JamBoard
  • KAPES
  • LexisNexis
  • LinkedIn
  • LogMeIn GoToMeeting
  • LogMeIn GoToWebinar
  • MTI Systems Costimator JS
  • Maynard PlanStaff Manager
  • Micro Estimating FabPlan
  • MicroStrategy Report Services
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Microsoft Dynamics GP
  • Microsoft OneNote
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft SharePoint Server
  • Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
  • PCC EHR
  • PCC Pediatric Partner
  • PRONTO Xi
  • ParentSquare
  • ProQuest RefWorks
  • ProQuest RefWorks RefShare
  • Questek Humanis
  • Records management systems
  • SYSPRO business software
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • Sage Peachtree Premium Accounting for Manufacturing
  • Slido interaction software
  • SmugMug Flickr
  • Social media sites
  • Transcription software
  • Web browser software
  • Web conferencing software
  • Work Technology WorkTech Time
  • Workbrain Employee Scheduling
  • Workbrain Time and Attendance
  • Workflow International Deskflow Enterprise

Where it concentrates

Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.

Metro areaEmploymentLocation quotientMedian annual
Ithaca, NY5904.13$69,310
Santa Fe, NM6003.30$81,410
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR6,0902.98$37,170
Springfield, IL8302.80$73,510
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ76,9502.74$83,840
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY3,4002.56$74,730
Binghamton, NY7302.56$72,230
Syracuse, NY2,1202.39$76,350
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX8,5602.24$69,600
Bloomington, IN4702.15$40,770

More metros, other thresholds