Front Desk Administrative Assistant Salary
Because the administrative services occupation is so broad, administrative assistants often specialize in one particular office function or department. Front desk administrative assistants usually double as receptionists and handle functions such as mail distribution and conference room scheduling. Nevertheless, their main duties -- answering phones, entering electronic data and creating memos -- are similar to those handled by general administrative assistants. Average salaries for administrative assistants can surpass $50,000 annually depending on location and the nature of their work.
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Salary Range
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that administrative assistants averaged $32,000 per year as of May 2010. However, salaries for this role ranged from as low as $20,000 to over $46,000 per year. For example, workers who fell within the 10th to 25th percentile of earners averaged between $19,960 and $24,710 per year. Top earners -- administrative assistants who fell within the 75th to 90th percentile range -- averaged between $38,160 and $46,430 annually.
Industry Comparison
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Some industries paid administrative assistants higher annual wages than others according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to the report, administrative assistants working in organizations that specialized in death care services averaged $27,490 annually. Other low-paying industries were religious organizations and real estate offices. Front desk administrative assistants in these industries reported similar average salaries of $28,710 and $28,810, respectively. Administrative assistants working in elementary and secondary schools averaged $32,790, while workers in colleges and universities averaged $34,140 per year. Professionals working in the U.S. Postal Service reported the highest annual wages at $54,150 per year.
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Geography
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Geography also influences how much front desk administrative assistants are paid. Professionals employed in New York averaged $34,780 per year. In Texas, administrative assistants reported an average salary of $29,220 per year. Administrative assistants also averaged $36,940 in California, $33,430 in Colorado and $28,780 in Wyoming. The lowest-paying state was Mississippi at $26,510 per year. The highest-paying region was the District of Columbia, which paid administrative assistants an average annual wage of $48,240.
Job Outlook
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Job growth for front desk administrative assistants should be on par with the national job growth rate. Employment for secretaries and administrative assistants is predicted to increase 11 percent until 2018. Job growth will be fueled by the expansion of health care, educational and social assistance services. Other sectors such as technology and scientific research will need front desk administrative assistants to help run their offices and support managers and executives in large organizations. Candidates with strong computer technology and communication skills, as well as previous job experience, should have the best job prospects during this time period.
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References
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