Medical secretaries and administrative assistants
SOC Code: 43-6013
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants carries a 80% AI exposure score (Very High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $44,640 and +4.2% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 850,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 80% AI exposure, Medical secretaries and administrative assistants sits 43 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 Medical secretaries and 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.
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants has ai exposure of 80%. 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.
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Medical secretaries and 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
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants (SOC 43-6013) carries an AI exposure score of 80%, 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 850,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +4.2% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $44,640, 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 None 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 Medical secretaries and 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. Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
- 2. Transcribe recorded messages or practitioners' diagnoses or recommendations into patients' medical records.
- 3. Compile and record medical charts, reports, or correspondence, using typewriter or personal computer.
- 4. Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries, or medical consultations.
- 5. Complete insurance or other claim forms.
- 6. Greet visitors, ascertain purpose of visit, and direct them to appropriate staff.
- 7. Transmit correspondence or medical records by mail, e-mail, or fax.
- 8. Maintain medical records, technical library, or correspondence files.
- 9. Receive and route messages or documents, such as laboratory results, to appropriate staff.
- 10. Interview patients to complete documents, case histories, or forms, such as intake or insurance forms.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Complex Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Monitoring
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Administrative
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Economics and Accounting
- Mathematics
- Communications and Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Medical secretaries and administrative assistants?
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants has an AI exposure score of 80%, 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 Medical secretaries and administrative assistants?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Medical secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to grow by 4.2% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 850,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Medical secretaries and administrative assistants?
Key skills for Medical secretaries and administrative assistants include Speaking, Active Listening, Service Orientation, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Medical secretaries and administrative assistants earn?
The median annual wage for Medical secretaries and administrative assistants is $44,640, 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 Medical secretaries and administrative assistants?
The typical entry-level education for Medical secretaries and administrative assistants is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Medical secretaries and administrative assistants?
Medical secretaries and 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.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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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).