Career Explorer Office and admin
Changing shape
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.
Among the careers AI is changing fastest: more resilient than 10% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is very high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by 0.0% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on emotional intelligence and creative vision.
AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.
- Median pay (2025)
- $76,590
- Job growth to 2035
- 0.0%
- Openings a year
- 43,300
- People doing it (2025)
- 489,000
- Usual route in
- High school diploma
Where people already use AI for this work
- Perform administrative or clerical activities
- Present research or technical information
- Provide general assistance to others, such as customers, patrons, or motorists
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Schedule operational activities
- Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures
- Maintain health or medical records
What the work looks like
- Manage and maintain executives' schedules.
- Process payroll information.
- Make travel arrangements for executives.
- Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements, and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.
- Coordinate and direct office services, such as records, departmental finances, budget preparation, personnel issues, and housekeeping, to aid executives.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as firms increase the use of computer software, enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, to automate routine back-office functions, such as document preparation.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Self-enrichment teachersGrows with AI, Index 48, +3.5%
- Tour and travel guidesGrows with AI, Index 42, +6.3%
- Retail salespersonsChanging shape, Index 15, -0.3%
- Personal care and service workers, all otherHuman edge, growing, Index 77, +5.9%
Also known as: Administrative Assistant, Administrative Secretary, Executive Assistant, Executive Secretary, Administrative Aide, Administrative Associate, Administrative Coordinator, Administrative Specialist.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.