Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive score 64 out of 100, which is high exposure to AI. That ranks #73 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 32 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 11 on its own and 18 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 16 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

64/ 100

High

Rank: #73of 923 jobs
US workers: 1,706,790BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $47,540a year
In real AI use: 16 of 32tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 11 (34%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 18 (56%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 3 (9%)

Create, maintain, and enter information into databases.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Use computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Set up and manage paper or electronic filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents, such as attendance records, correspondence, or other material.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Compose, type, and distribute meeting notes, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Complete forms in accordance with company procedures.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Conduct searches to find needed information, using such sources as the Internet.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Open, read, route, and distribute incoming mail or other materials and answer routine letters.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Review work done by others to check for correct spelling and grammar, ensure that company format policies are followed, and recommend revisions.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Train and assist staff with computer usage.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Take dictation in shorthand or by machine and transcribe information.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Develop or maintain internal or external company Web sites.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Greet visitors or callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the appropriate persons according to their needs.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Operate electronic mail systems and coordinate the flow of information, internally or with other organizations.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Schedule and confirm appointments for clients, customers, or supervisors.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Maintain scheduling and event calendars.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Locate and attach appropriate files to incoming correspondence requiring replies.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Make copies of correspondence or other printed material.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Learn to operate new office technologies as they are developed and implemented.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Prepare conference or event materials, such as flyers or invitations.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Perform payroll functions, such as maintaining timekeeping information and processing and submitting payroll.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Collect and deposit money into accounts, disburse funds from cash accounts to pay bills or invoices, keep records of collections and disbursements, and ensure accounts are balanced.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Establish work procedures or schedules and keep track of the daily work of clerical staff.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Provide services to customers, such as order placement or account information.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Prepare and mail checks.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Arrange conference, meeting, or travel reservations for office personnel.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Manage projects or contribute to committee or team work.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Coordinate conferences, meetings, or special events, such as luncheons or graduation ceremonies.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Mail newsletters, promotional material, or other information.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Order and dispense supplies.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Supervise other clerical staff and provide training and orientation to new staff.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive and AI

Will AI replace secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive score 64 out of 100 (high exposure), #73 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 29 of the job's 32 tasks, 11 of them on its own, while 3 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Create, maintain, and enter information into databases"; "Use computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing"; "Set up and manage paper or electronic filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents, such as attendance records, correspondence, or other material".

Which secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions"; "Order and dispense supplies"; "Supervise other clerical staff and provide training and orientation to new staff".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 16 of the 32 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive, and what do they earn?

About 1,706,790 people in the US, with median pay of $47,540 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.