What does a Secretary do?
A Secretary is a professional who supports the administrative functions of offices and organizations. Their role includes managing communication, scheduling appointments, preparing documents, and maintaining files. Secretaries are essential for the smooth operation of any business, providing crucial support that allows other staff to perform efficiently. They handle confidential information and serve as an intermediary among staff, clients, and other external partners. Secretaries need strong organizational skills, proficiency in office software, and excellent communication abilities to manage daily tasks effectively.
Secretaries often specialize in specific areas such as legal, medical, or executive administrative support, adapting their skills to the needs of the industry or the executives they assist.
Key duties & responsibilities
Secretarys in the Administrative field handle essential tasks and contribute significantly to achieving team and organizational goals. Here are some of their primary responsibilities:
- Answer phone calls, take notes/messages, and redirect calls when appropriate.
- Manage daily/weekly/monthly agendas and arrange new meetings and appointments.
- Prepare and disseminate correspondence, memos, and forms.
- File and update contact information of employees, customers, suppliers, and external partners.
- Support and facilitate the completion of regular reports.
- Develop and maintain a filing system.
- Make travel arrangements.
- Document expenses and hand in reports.
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How to become a Secretary
Launching a career as a Secretary requires a specific education. We outline the essential qualifications, skills, and steps to enter this field.
Qualification
- High school diploma; additional qualifications as an Administrative assistant or Secretary are a plus.
- Proven experience as a secretary or administrative assistant.
- Familiarity with office organization and optimization techniques.
- High degree of multi-tasking and time management capability.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office.
Requirements & skills
- Integrity and professionalism in handling confidential information.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- Punctuality and reliability.
- Attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
Secretary salary guide
Wondering what Secretarys earn? Explore salary ranges by experience, and career tips to maximize your earning potential.
The average salary for a Secretary in the U.S. is approximately $37,500 per year and can vary from entry-level to senior positions. Secretarys may receive a wide range of benefits.
Secretary salary career steps
- Entry Level0-2 years $28,125
- Mid Level3-5 years $33,750
- Experienced6-10 years $37,500
- Senior11+ years $41,250
- Veteran20+ years $46,875
Based on public data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale. Career-level figures are estimates derived from the national average; actual pay varies by employer, region and experience.
How much can you earn as a Secretary?
Explore salary insights and compensation trends across different countries.
How to advance your career
Secretaries can advance to higher administrative roles, such as senior Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant, or Office Manager. With further education and training, they may also specialize in specific fields like legal or medical administrative support, enhancing their prospects and responsibilities.
Typical work environment
Secretaries typically work in an office environment, often at the front desk or in the main administrative suite. Their work setting can vary widely depending on the type of organization, from corporate offices to schools, hospitals, and government agencies. The role typically involves regular office hours, but some positions may require additional hours depending on the workload and nature of the business.
About this profile
This profile for a Secretary is based on public sources such as the BLS and Payscale and was structured with the help of AI. It is intended as a general orientation — duties, requirements and salaries can differ by employer, country and experience.
