Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
SOC Code: 43-6011
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants carries a 83% AI exposure score (Very High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $74,260 and -1.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 502,800 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 83% AI exposure, Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants sits 46 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - among the most AI-exposed occupations tracked. It is one of just 21 occupations above the 70% high-exposure line.
Where Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants has ai exposure of 83%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants (SOC 43-6011) carries an AI exposure score of 83%, placing it in the Very High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score above 70% signals that the majority of core duties are already technically automatable, workers in these roles face the steepest near-term displacement pressure.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 502,800 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -1.6% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $74,260, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus Less than 5 years of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Manage and maintain executives' schedules.
- 2. Process payroll information.
- 3. Make travel arrangements for executives.
- 4. Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements, and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.
- 5. Coordinate and direct office services, such as records, departmental finances, budget preparation, personnel issues, and housekeeping, to aid executives.
- 6. Answer phone calls and direct calls to appropriate parties or take messages.
- 7. Prepare responses to correspondence containing routine inquiries.
- 8. Open, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and email.
- 9. Greet visitors and determine whether they should be given access to specific individuals.
- 10. Prepare agendas and make arrangements, such as coordinating catering for luncheons, for committee, board, and other meetings.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Service Orientation
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Time Management
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Administrative
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Communications and Media
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Telecommunications
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants?
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants has an AI exposure score of 83%, indicating a very high level of automation risk. Many tasks in this role involve routine data processing and pattern recognition that current AI systems can perform.
What is the job outlook for Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants is projected to decline by 1.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 502,800 workers.
What skills are needed for Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants?
Key skills for Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants earn?
The median annual wage for Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants is $74,260, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants?
The typical entry-level education for Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants?
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Very High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A majority of tasks in this occupation are susceptible to AI automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).