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
Read more
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
A moderate number of administrative assistants were laid off in March and April due the temporary closures of certain types of business. Many have since been rehired. Workers in this occupation are spread across several different industries, some of which may have been affected more than others by COVID-19. Those in educational services and retail trade were more likely to experience layoffs than those in industries that continued to operate throughout the first wave of cases. With the increase of virtual communication, sanitization, and occupancy restrictions due the pandemic, many administrative assistants have experienced a change in work tasks.
Total employment in this occupation has been relatively stable in recent years. Looking forward, neither a large increase nor decrease is expected. Improvements in administrative software and other technological advancements have reduced the need for administrative assistants in some settings. Vacancies created by retirements are a main source of opportunities. Presently, there are many qualified jobseekers for vacancies in this occupation. Successful job applicants are likely to be distinguished by amount of experience or industry-specific skills.
The median employment income for the 52% of Administrative Assistants who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $40,076. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, the 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 Diploma
$35,038 median annual incomeHigh school
$33,259 median annual incomeBachelor
$33,219 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$27,938 median annual incomeLess than high school
$28,576 median annual incomeCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
College Diploma
$36,304 median annual incomeHigh school
$32,903 median annual incomeBachelor
$41,755 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$34,807 median annual incomeLess than high school
$23,174 median annual incomeEducation & training
Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs prepare students for the duties of administrative assistants and/or secretaries and stenographers. They 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
Halifax, NS
Halifax, NS
Sydney, NS
Sydney, NS
Stellarton, NS
Port Hawkesbury, NS
Adult High School Siploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramThe 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
Various, NS
Various, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.