Becoming a Secretary: Careers, Salary Info & Job Description

About this article
A secretary's median annual salary is around $33,000. Is it worth the training requirements? See real job descriptions and get the truth about career prospects to find out if becoming a secretary is right for you.
  • Pros & Cons
  • Career Info
  • Requirements
  • Stand Out
  • Alternatives

Pros and Cons of a Becoming a Secretary

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Being a secretary can be a good option for those who have good software and communication skills. Read on to learn the pros and cons of becoming a secretary and decide if it's right for you.

Pros of Being a Secretary
Advancement opportunities for skilled workers*
Faster-than-average job growth for secretaries (12% increase by 2022)*
Can work in almost any field (education, healthcare, government, legal, retail, manufacturing, etc.)*
Can work practically anywhere*

Cons of Being a Secretary
Continuing education needed to keep current with software and office skills*
Lower-than-average median annual salary ($33,240 in 2014)*
Must be able to type and sit for long periods of time (possible eye or hand strain and stress)*

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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  • Pros & Cons
  • Career Info
  • Requirements
  • Stand Out
  • Alternatives

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Colorado Christian University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Business Administration, MBA - Advanced Accounting
      • Business Administration, MBA - Health Care Administration
      • Business Administration, MBA - Leadership
      • Business Administration, MBA - Project Management
      • Business Administration, MBA - Enterprise Agility
      • Business Administration, MBA - Cyber Security
    Bachelor's
      • Business Administration, B.S.
      • Business, B.A. - International Business
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DBA: Executive Coaching
      • DBA: Strategic Management
    Master's
      • MBA: Special Student (Non-Degree) - Business
      • MBA: Criminal Justice Administration
      • MBA: Executive Coaching
      • MBA: Master of Business Administration (36 Hours)
      • MBA: Tourism Management
      • MBA: Strategic Management
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Penn Foster

    Program Options

    Certificate
      • Career Diploma - Virtual Assistant
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MBA
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor: Business Admin
      • Bachelor: Applied Management
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Science in Nursing - MSN/MBA Dual Degree Option
      • MBA - Global Business
      • Master of Science in Nursing - MSN/MHCA Dual Degree Option
      • Master of Science in Nursing - MSN/MPH Dual Degree Option
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Business Admin
      • BS in Organizational Management - Decision Management
      • BS in Organizational Management - Management
    Associate's
      • Associate: Business Admin.
      • Associate of Applied Science in Small Group Management
      • Associate: Business Admin. - Office Mgmt
  • Online Programs Available
    6. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DBA - General Business
      • PhD-BA - Global Business Management
    Master's
      • MSTM - General Management
      • MHRM - Management of Virtual Organizations
  • Online Programs Available
    7. UMass Global

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MBA in Business Administration
      • MBA in Business Administration (Accounting)
      • MBA in Business Administration (Bus Intel & Data Analytics)
      • MBA in Business Administration (Finance)
      • MBA in Business Administration (Health Administration)
      • MBA in Business Administration (Human Resources)
    Bachelor's
      • BBA in Business Admin
      • BBA in Business Admin (Accounting)
      • BBA in Business Admin (Entrepreneurship)
      • BBA in Business Admin (Finance)
      • BBA in Business Admin (Healthcare Administration)
      • BBA in Business Admin (Human Resources)
  • Bridgeview, IL

    Northwestern College

  • Logan, UT

    Utah State University

  • Moscow, ID

    University of Idaho

Featured Schools

Colorado Christian University

  • Business Administration, MBA - Advanced Accounting
  • Business Administration, MBA - Health Care Administration
  • Business Administration, B.S.
  • Business, B.A. - International Business

What is your highest level of education completed?

Liberty University

  • DBA: Executive Coaching
  • DBA: Strategic Management
  • MBA: Special Student (Non-Degree) - Business
  • MBA: Criminal Justice Administration

What is your highest level of education?

Penn Foster

  • Career Diploma - Virtual Assistant

What is your highest level of education?

Grand Canyon University

  • MBA
  • Bachelor: Business Admin
  • Bachelor: Applied Management

What is your highest level of education?

Purdue Global

  • Master of Science in Nursing - MSN/MBA Dual Degree Option
  • Bachelor of Business Admin
  • Associate: Business Admin.

Which subject are you interested in?

National University

  • DBA - General Business
  • PhD-BA - Global Business Management
  • MSTM - General Management
  • MHRM - Management of Virtual Organizations

What is your highest level of education?

UMass Global

  • MBA in Business Administration
  • MBA in Business Administration (Accounting)
  • BBA in Business Admin
  • BBA in Business Admin (Accounting)

Which subject are you interested in?