Earnings

Median annual wages nationally of administrative professionals was $34,660 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,730. The top 10 percent earned more than $55,960.

Median annual wages for different types of administrative assistants in May 2010:

• $43,520 for Executive Secretaries
• $41,500 for Legal Secretaries
• $30,530 for Medical Secretaries
• $30,830 for all others

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)