Median annual earnings of executive secretaries and administrative assistants were $31,090 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $24,970 and $38,370 in 2000. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,350, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,250. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of executive secretaries and administrative assistants in 2000, were:
Computer and data processing services - $33,720
Local government - $32,100
Elementary and secondary schools - $30,470
Colleges and universities - $29,710
Personnel supply services - $28,020
Median annual earnings of legal secretaries, were $34,740 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $27,650 and $42,510. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,440, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $50,970. Medical secretaries earned a median annual salary of $23,430 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $19,530 and $28,120. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $16,510, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $34,510. Median annual earnings of all other secretaries, excluding legal, medical, and executive secretaries, were about $23,870 in 2000.
Salaries vary a great deal, however, reflecting differences in skill, experience, and level of responsibility. Salaries also vary in different parts of the country; earnings are usually lowest in southern cities, and highest in northern and western cities. In addition, salaries vary by industry; salaries of secretaries tend to be highest in transportation, legal services, and public utilities, and lowest in retail trade and finance, insurance, and real estate. Certification in this field usually is rewarded by a higher salary.
The starting salary for inexperienced secretaries in the Federal Government was $17,474 a year in 2001. Beginning salaries were slightly higher in selected areas where the prevailing local pay level was higher. All secretaries employed by the Federal Government averaged about $33,354 a year in early 2001.
Median annual earnings of word processors and typists in 2000 were $24,710. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,070 and $29,500. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $16,410, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $35,410. The salaries of these workers vary by industry and by region. In 2000, median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of word processors and typists were:
Local government - $25,710
State government - $24,850
Federal Government - $23,890
Elementary and secondary schools - $23,300
Personnel supply services - $22,720
Median annual earnings of data entry keyers in 2000 were $21,300. The middle 50 percent earned between $17,850 and $25,820. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $15,140, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $30,910. In 2000, median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of data entry keyers were:
Federal Government - $27,260
Accounting, auditing, and bookkeeping - $22,310
Computer and data processing services - $20,480
Commercial banks - $20,410
Personnel supply services - $20,070
In the Federal Government, clerk-typists and data entry keyers without work experience started at $16,015 a year in 2001. Beginning salaries were slightly higher in selected areas where the prevailing local pay level was higher. The average annual salary for all clerk-typists in the Federal Government was 24,934 in 2001.
