How to Become an Administrative Assistant:
The Definitive Guide

What is an Administrative Assistant?

An Administrative Assistant can be considered many things, but mostly an office manager.

As an Administrative Assistant, you will likely find yourself wearing many hats.

Some things like budgeting, employees, training, and planning projects will be on the Administrative Assistants to-do list.

In this career, it is likely that you will find your own custom role in the company that you work for.

Those who have certifications or a degree will find more career opportunities, so earning an Associate’s degree in business can help.

Duties

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Salary

Most of the Administrative Assistants around the United States make almost $40,000 a year.

In this career, it is not likely that you will start out making that much, however.

In fact, most new Administrative Assistants make closer to $30,000 a year to begin.

When you receive credentials, education, and experience, it is probable that your pay will rise.

Those that are at the top of their career as an Administrative Assistant can expect to make around $50,000 a year.

People who work in larger populations or with bigger companies will make more money in this career as well.

Administrative Assistants in California make around $45,000 a year, while Administrative Assistants in Kansas make an average of $34,000 a year.

• Annually
• Monthly
• Hourly

*Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey.
Conducted by: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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How to Become an Administrative Assistant

Step 1Earn a Degree

It isn’t legally required that Administrative Assistants earn a degree in order to gain employment, but most employers appreciate at least a certificate or an Associate’s degree in business.

Having a degree shows employers and clients that you have competency in the field you are working in.

With an Associate’s degree in business, you will have knowledge in all types of entrepreneurial zones.

It takes about two years to earn an Associate’s degree, and certificate programs vary in length, depending on the program, most take around one year.

With a certificate, you can learn how to:

• Complete office procedures
• Basic computer maintenance
• Business applications
• Business communications

These are also sections that will be covered in most Associates degree programs.

A certificate as an Administrative Assistant will provide opportunities for entry-level careers, so many people interested in this field will earn an Associate’s degree.

Other courses that an Associates degree will typically include are:

• Human Resource Management
• Accounting
• Business Law
• Business Ethics
• Entrepreneurial Studies

Step 2Gain Experience

After earning a degree, there is a chance you will be looking for employment.

Many people suggest trying employment at a temp service to gain experience with many different companies in a short amount of time.

If you didn’t receive any training while pursuing a degree, work an apprenticeship, or take on an internship, here are some places to look for employment:

• Government agencies
• Real estate agencies
• Secondary schools
• Universities
• Offices and law offices

While gaining on the job experience, it’s important to keep up with your education as technology increases in popularity.

Once you have gained a couple of years of knowledge and hands-on experience, becoming certified might help you with further employment gains.

Step 3Become Certified

Just like earning a degree, having a certification is not required to work as an Administrative Assistant, but it helps with promotions and raises.

Certification also shows clients and employers that you are skilled in the ways of business administration.

There are several certifications that can be earned in this career:

• Certified Administrative Professional
• Certified Virtual Assistant

In order to gain the Certified Administrative Professional certification, you must have four years of experience as an Administrative Assistant.

To earn the Certified Virtual Assistant certification, you will need to be a member of the International Associations of Administrative Professionals and take an exam.

Some of the areas covered on the Certified Virtual Assistant exam include:

• Records management
• Communication
• Organization and planning

Recertification is required after three years of earning this credential, which can be done by retaking the exam or proof of further education.

Step 4Advance Your Career

After many years working as an Administrative Assistant, it’s possible to advance your position in the company that you work for, or in other companies across the United States.

Having hands-on experience in business can teach you many new skills, which can lead to other opportunities.

Some of the other careers to look forward to beyond an Administrative Assistant could be:

• Office Manager
• Executive Secretary
• Clerical Supervisor

You don’t necessarily even have to do office work, with your business experience and knowledge you can do nearly anything business-related, such as:

• Paralegal
• Marketing Coordinator
• Project Coordinator/Planner
• Consultant

There are possibilities to work as a teacher or instructor to educate others about working as Administrative Assistants as well.

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Education

As an Administrative Assistant, you can choose to earn a certificate or an Associate’s degree, if you want an education.

Even though education is not legally required for this career, employers suggest that all Administrative Assistants earn some type of education.

Earning an education in business can help you further your career beyond an Administrative Assistant as well.

Many certificate programs and Associates degrees can be earned online, the certification programs can take about a year, while Associates degrees typically take two years or more.

You can also find programs at your local community college if you are interested in on-campus education.

A certificate program will introduce you to entry-level careers in business, and educate you on many different areas of business, including:

• Databases
• Business English
• Keyboarding
• Communications
• Business writing

There are some programs that require students to take part in an internship, which can give students a boost in gaining employment upon graduation.

Most Associates degrees require general education as well as specialized courses like:

• Accounting
• Business Law
• Federal Taxation
• Marketing Strategies
• Human Resource Management
• Business and Technical Writing
• Math for Business and Finance

Online Associates degrees can take anywhere from two to three years to finish, and typically around two years for on-campus classes.

After earning an Associate’s degree, you can find employment in many different types of business.

These areas include:

• Corporate offices
• Human resource departments
• Marketing
• Retail
• Restaurants
• Hospitality

The great thing about earning an Associate’s degree, or any type of certificate for that matter, is that you learn many different techniques and roles in the business community, from creative to leadership roles, a business degree can cover it all.

If you are interested in furthering your education, even more, a Bachelor’s degree in business is the next step.

For most Administrative Assistants, becoming certified is more lucrative than working toward a Bachelor’s degree unless you are looking for other careers in business.

Video About The Career

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Certification

As of right now, there are only a few certifications that are accredited by the National Commission for Health Certifying Agencies from the International Associations of Administrative Professionals.

These certifications are:

• Certified Administrative Professional
• Certified Virtual Assistant

A Certified Administrative Professional credential shows employers that you are committed and serious about your career as an Administrative Assistant.

In order to become a Certified Administrative Professional, you will need to take an exam.

The test covers six areas that are should be common knowledge for anyone who wants to become a Certified Administrative Assistant.

The exam takes about three hours to finish and has anywhere from 200 to 225 questions.

The areas that the exam covers include:

• Organizational communications
• Office and records management
• Operational functions
• Business writing
• Technology and information distribution

Every three years you will need to recertify for this credential.

Another certification that is accredited by the NCHCA is the Certified Virtual Assistant certification.

Make sure that you find a certification by the International Virtual Assistants Association, to ensure accreditation.

This is one of the only accredited associations in the United States for virtual assistants.

You will have to join the IVAA which costs less than $150 a year.

Once you join this association, you will be able to take an exam to become certified.

The exam has around 65 questions and can take up to two hours to complete.

Some of the things that the exam to become a Certified Virtual Assistant will cover are:

• Management plans
• Bookkeeping
• Business ethics
• Virtual Assistant tools
• Business registration and licensing

Having a certification doesn’t guarantee better career opportunities, but it does show employers that you know what you are doing in an office or business setting.

Many people who earn certification as an Administrative Professional or a Virtual Assistant go on to have long careers far beyond working as an Administrative Assistant.

Certification Example:

Average Training Program Duration: 1-2 Years

Most training programs to become an Administrative Assistant take about a year.

A certificate program provides you with skills for entry-level positions as an Administrative Assistant.

Even though enrolling in a certificate program can be a great idea, many people who are interested in working as an Administrative Assistant find it easier to gain employment with an Associate’s degree in business.

An Associate’s degree takes about two to three years to complete.

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Popular Programs

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Job Outlook

There doesn’t seem to be a lot of growth in this field, as over the last several years technology has become more prominent.

Due to this growth, and the use of managers to do the duties of Administrative Assistants, this career will likely decline by about 9 percent in the next decade.

Computers are becoming the go-to for all things business, which will create a dip in career opportunities for Administrative Assistants.

However, this doesn’t mean that this career will disappear, many people still need Administrative Assistants.

For those with certifications or a degree, the job opportunities can be much more lucrative.

Employment Growth Projection: -8%

That's a higher than average projected growth of -156,800 jobs.

Administrative Assistant: Interest Over Time

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Should You Become an Administrative Assistant?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the average salary of an Administrative Assistant?

Most Administrative Assistants across the United States make around $36,000 to $37,000 a year at their jobs.

For those who work in large corporations, or in bigger populations, the career can garner even more salary, up to $50,000 in some areas.

However, if you are just starting out in this career, it’s likely that you will make about $30,000 a year to begin.

Depending on your job role and the duties that you must do every day, the salary can vary by company.

Q. How long does it take to become an Administrative Assistant?

It doesn’t have to take very long to become an Administrative Assistant.

In fact, it’s possible to become one right this second, however many employers like to see an Administrative Assistant with some training.

That’s why most Administrative Assistants seek a certificate program or an Associate’s degree before gaining employment.

These can take about 1-2 years to finish, and then it will take about four years of experience to become a Certified Administrative Assistant.

Q. What does an Administrative Assistant do?

An Administrative Assistant does many things around the office or business that they work for.

This could mean budgeting, making sure all of the employees are doing what they are supposed to be doing, paperwork, talking to clients, the list goes on.

An Administrative Assistant will speak to everyone in the company and will need to know the business side of the career.

Duties and daily tasks can vary depending on the type of company that you work in, as well.

Q. What is the demand for Administrative Assistants?

With the rise in technology, there has been a decrease in the need for Administrative Assistants.

However, that doesn’t mean you should give up on your dream of becoming one.

This job is still available in many areas, especially areas with many businesses large populations.

Administrative Assistants can work in several types of office settings, and with a variety of certifications and specializations, it’s possible to make this a great career.

Q. How much does it cost to become an Administrative Assistant?

Many online certificate programs cost less than the average Associate’s degree but don’t provide as much education.

Certificate programs can cost anywhere from $250 to over $1,000 to complete.

An Associate’s degree takes a year longer than a certificate and can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the school.

Depending on where you earn your education, it can cost anywhere from $250 to $15,000 to become an Administrative Assistant.

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