Administrative Assistants
(NOC 1241)
in All Business, Finance, and AdministrationAdministrative assistants do a variety of administrative duties to support managerial and professional employers. They work throughout the private and public sectors.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to remain largely the same over the next few years. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Administrative Assistants most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 52% of Administrative Assistants who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $40,076. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$21.00
Median$27.95
MaximumAnnual Pay
$8,517
Minimum$34,236
Median$52,509
MaximumCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$27.85
Median$38.46
MaximumAnnual Pay
$6,754
Minimum$36,515
Median$70,271
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Administrative assistants do a variety of administrative duties to support managerial and professional employers. They work throughout the private and public sectors.
Job duties
Administrative assistants:
- Prepare, key in, edit and proofread correspondence, invoices, presentations, brochures, publications, reports and related material from machine dictation and handwritten copy.
- Open and distribute incoming regular and electronic mail and other material and coordinate the flow of information internally and with other departments and organizations.
- Schedule and confirm appointments and meetings of employer.
- Order office supplies and maintain inventory.
- Answer telephone and electronic questions and relay telephone calls and messages.
- Set up and maintain manual and computerized information filing systems.
- Determine and create office procedures.
- Greet visitors, learn their nature of business, and direct visitors to employer or appropriate person.
- Record and prepare minutes of meetings.
- Arrange travel schedules and make reservations.
- May compile data, statistics and other information to support research activities.
- May supervise and train office staff in procedures and in use of current software.
- May organize conferences.
Sample job titles
- administrative assistant
- executive secretary (except legal and medical)
- office administrative assistant
- personal secretary
- school secretary
- secretary (except legal and medical)
- secretary-clerk
- taxation service secretary
- technical secretary
Skills
You need excellent grammar and communication skills. Accurate and fast typing speed is essential. You should have a working knowledge of computers, word processing software, and general office equipment. Interpersonal skills and the ability to work with others are important.
Job requirements
- High school is usually required.
- A one- or two-year college or other program for administrative assistants or secretaries or clerical experience is required.
Other considerations
Computer use has drastically changed this occupation in recent years as many executives and professionals create their own documents and use e-mail as a primary mode of written communication. This has reduced the type of work traditionally done by secretaries. Some secretarial positions are being converted to office manager positions and more specialized clerical roles. It is increasingly common for secretaries to support teams rather than individuals. Working in these jobs may cause back and neck strain due to sitting for long periods of time, as well as eye strain from computer screens.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Cape Breton
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Educational services
Public administration
Professional, scientific and technical services
Other services (except public administration)
Finance and insurance
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
College certificate or diploma
$35,038 median annual incomeHigh school
$33,259 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$33,219 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$27,938 median annual incomeLess than high school
$28,576 median annual incomeCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
College certificate or diploma
$36,304 median annual incomeHigh school
$32,903 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$41,755 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$34,807 median annual incomeLess than high school
$23,174 median annual incomeEducation & training
Administrative assistant and secretarial science - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to perform the duties of administrative assistants and/or secretaries and stenographers. These programs include courses in business communications, principles of business law, word processing and data entry, office machines operation and maintenance, office procedures, public relations, secretarial accounting, filing systems and records management, and report preparation.
Institutions providing this program
315 Jamieson Street
Sydney, NS B1N 2P7
(902) 564-2222
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
721 Alexandra Street
Sydney, NS B1S 2H4
(902) 564-6112
222 George Street, Suite C
Sydney, NS B1P 1J3
(866) 446-5898
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
75 High Street
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V8
(902) 543-4608
5685 Leeds Street
Halifax, NS B3K 2T3
(902) 491-6722
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Unit 37, 115 Chain Lake Drive
Halifax, NS B3S 1B3
(877) 491-6774
45 Alderney Drive
Dartmouth, NS B1N 2P7
(902) 706-5529
Adult high school/secondary diploma programs
This program is typically offered at the high school level.The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.
Institutions providing this program
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 220
Halifax, NS B3J 2M4
(866) 679-6722
Various, NS
Various, NS
General office occupations and clerical services
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to provide basic administrative support under the supervision of office managers, administrative assistants, secretaries, and other office personnel. These programs include courses in typing, keyboarding, filing, general business correspondence, office equipment operation, and communications skills.
Institutions providing this program
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
222 George Street, Suite C
Sydney, NS B1P 1J3
(866) 446-5898
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.