www.iaap-hq.org
The 21st Century Administrative Professional
One of the largest segments of the office workforce...
An increasingly vital and skilled role in today's (and tomorrow's) office...
Job Titles
Most common job titles reported by members of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) in a 2005 survey are administrative assistant, 30%; executive assistant, 18%; executive secretary, 6%; office manager or supervisor, 5%; and secretary, 5%. More than one fourth (26%) of those surveyed have a wide range of titles commonly including terms such as coordinator, administrator, specialist, associate, or denoting specialized business types or functions such as legal, accounting, medical, human resources, and many others.
According
to the U.S. Department of Labor,
median annual earnings of
secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive, were
$27,450 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between
$21,830 and $34,250. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$17,560, and the highest 10 percent earned more than
$41,550. Median annual earnings in the industries employing
the largest numbers of secretaries, except legal, medical,
and executive in May 2006 were:
| Local government | $30,350 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals | 28,810 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools | 28,700 |
| Elementary and secondary schools | 28,120 |
| Employment services | 26,810 |
Median annual earnings of executive secretaries and administrative assistants were $37,240 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $30,240 and $46,160. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,190, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $56,740. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of executive secretaries and administrative assistants in May 2006 were:
| Management of companies and enterprises | $41,570 |
| Local government | 38,670 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools | 36,510 |
| State government | 35,830 |
| Employment services | 31,600 |
Median annual earnings of legal secretaries were $38,190 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,650 and $48,520. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,870, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $58,770. Medical secretaries earned a median annual salary of $28,090 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $23,250 and $34,210. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,750, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $40,870.
Salaries vary a great deal,
however, reflecting differences in skill, experience, and
level of responsibility. Certification in this field may be
rewarded by a higher salary.
A 2005 survey of IAAP members showed that 45% of members earn more than $40,000 per year in base salary, compared to 33% in 2002 and 8% in 1997.
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Career Paths for Administrative Support Staff
Source: International Association of Administrative
Professionals
Traditionally, a secretary was one who supported an executive by helping to manage their schedules, handle visitors and callers, and produce documents and communications. Many administrative professionals continue to support executives in business and institutions in this manner. However, for most administrative professionals today, much more is expected. With more managers keying their own correspondence and more files being stored electronically, the nature of secretarial work is changing drastically. Managers are doing more clerical work; administrative assistants and secretaries are doing more professional work. Technology and corporate restructuring have created jobs that are more rewarding and more skilled than ever before. In today’s downsized and restructured businesses, everyone is called upon to do more. Administrative professionals have gladly accepted their share of increased responsibility. Job descriptions are expanding and new titles are being created, such as administrative coordinator, office administrator, administrative specialist and information manager, to name just a few.
Administrative assistants have moved into training,
supervision, desktop publishing, information management and
research. They are involved with equipment purchase and
maintenance, customer service, project management, public
relations and supervision of outside vendors.
According to research by the International Association of
Administrative Professionals (IAAP), most administrative
professionals want to remain in their field and advance into
higher support positions or become office managers. Many say
they are finally receiving recognition for what they do.
They are becoming members of the management team.
With businesses operating in a global economy,
administrative professionals will have opportunities to
interact via e-mail, audio- and video-conferencing, and even
face-to-face with customers and associates from around the
world.
The winners will be those professionals who master
technology, effectively use their interpersonal and
communication skills, have the ability to track and organize
and be creative in solving problems, and most importantly,
have the willingness to learn and grow, and accept
challenges. For these administrative professionals, there is
a world of opportunity waiting for them!
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