How to Become an Admin Assistant in 2026

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To become an administrative assistant in 2026, you’ll need at least a high school diploma or equivalent, some basic office skills, and, depending on the employer, relevant experience. If you’re new to the job, it can be a good entry-level role that can help you start down the path to more advanced career options if you’re interested.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to become an administrative assistant, what the job is like, and how to know if this career path is the right one for you.

Key takeaways

• To become an administrative assistant, you typically need a high school diploma, strong organizational and communication skills, and basic knowledge of office software like Microsoft Office.
• The average salary in the United States for administrative assistants was $43,768 in 2026.
• Administrative assistants can work in legal offices, medical offices, government offices – essentially anywhere a manager or department needs support.
• In 2026, administrative assistants should have AI skills to be competitive in the workforce.

What does an administrative assistant do?

Administrative assistants keep an office or business organized, managing schedules, appointments, paperwork, and some communications. Depending on where they work, they may also be responsible for managing the office – keeping track of supply inventory, reordering supplies when necessary, and working with vendors for various purchases and needs.

They play a super important behind-the-scenes role in making sure a business – large or small – runs smoothly from day to day.

Typical administrative assistant responsibilities

Some typical responsibilities of administrative assistants include

• Answering and directing phone calls and emails
• Scheduling appointments and meetings, and booking conference rooms
• Maintaining calendars for your boss or department
• Preparing, editing, and formatting documents, reports, and presentations
• Organizing and maintaining filing systems (digital and physical)
• Greeting and assisting visitors, clients, and staff
• Coordinating travel arrangements
• Ordering and managing office supplies and inventory
• Processing mail, packages, and deliveries
• Taking meeting notes
• Assisting with data entry
• Handling expense reports, invoices, and basic bookkeeping tasks
• Coordinating office events, meetings, and team activities
• Conducting research as requested
• Supporting managers and staff with day-to-day administrative needs
• Ensuring office operations run smoothly and efficiently
• Connecting with vendors, customers, and external partners

Your day-to-day experience in the job can vary a lot based on what industry you work in and what your boss expects of you, so you may do more tasks than these or less.

Read more: How Kendall Earned Her Degree in 17 Months While Working Full Time

Where do administrative assistants work?

Administrative assistants work in a wide variety of industries and workplaces – essentially, anywhere a person, department, or even entire office staff needs support. In 2024, admin assistants had 3.5 million jobs, mostly in industries like healthcare, education, or professional services, but you’re not limited to just those sectors. You could potentially find jobs in places like:

• Government agencies and public offices
• Law firms and legal offices
• Nonprofit organizations and charities
• Real estate agencies and property management companies
• Financial institutions such as banks and insurance companies
• Manufacturing and industrial companies
• Small businesses and startups
• Human resources departments
• Marketing and advertising agencies
• Religious organizations and community centers
• Remote or virtual office environments
• Hotels, travel agencies, and hospitality businesses

Can administrative assistants work from home?

Yes, administrative assistants can often work from home! In this case, you may see remote admin assistant jobs referred to as “virtual assistant” jobs, but many of the responsibilities are similar.

There are some administrative tasks that can only be done in person, or some industries that do require face time, so you’ll also find plenty of in person or hybrid (where you spend some time in office and some time working remotely) administrative job posts. When you’re applying for jobs, make sure you check if the post specifies remote or in-person work!

Read more: Going Back to School as an Adult

What is being an administrative assistant really like?

Administrative assistant jobs require someone who pays attention to small details, is organized, and has strong communication skills. Being an admin doesn’t always come with the same job duties, expectations, and experience, however. It can vary a lot based on the employer, the industry you’re working in, and your experience.

You may find yourself working to support just one boss within the office or be responsible for reporting to and assisting several different members of the team.

While your work environment can offer some variety, being an administrative assistant can be a repetitive job – you’re often working on the same types of tasks every day – but that can be great for someone who likes to know what to expect.

For the most part, you can expect a steady schedule as an admin, working when the office is open. That often means a regular Monday through Friday, 9 to 5 job.

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Average administrative assistant salary

As of May 2026, the national average salary for administrative assistants is $43,768 per year or about $21 per hour. The amount you can actually make will really depend on where you live, what industry you’re in, and your experience.

Types of administrative assistants

There are several different types of administrative assistants, though some people treat the job titles as interchangeable. However, each type of admin assistant can be responsible for unique tasks and have different job descriptions and requirements. The most common types of administrative assistants include

• Executive assistant
• Secretary
• Receptionist
• Office manager
• Virtual assistant
• Bookkeeper
• Medical administrative assistant 

Administrative assistant vs executive assistant

Administrative assistants could be considered the entry-level role, while executive assistant jobs are positions that require more work experience and skills.

Executive assistants usually work to support a single member of a corporate leadership team, or the leadership team as a whole, versus working for an entire company, office, or department. While the job does cover a lot of the same responsibilities as an administrative assistant, executive assistants may also handle higher-skilled tasks such as sending or responding to communications on behalf of their boss, overseeing projects, and managing project timelines and expectations for the leadership team.

On average, most employers looking for executive assistants require job applicants to have at least 3 years of relevant administrative experience to qualify for the position.

Administrative assistant vs secretary

Secretaries handle the schedules of their boss or bosses, set appointments, make and take calls, pass along messages, and record notes in meetings. While administrative assistants may be responsible for a lot of the same tasks, they’re also usually more independent in their role and have duties that can include managing an office, maintaining office inventory, and being responsible for some projects.

While both jobs can be considered entry-level, there may be more opportunities for career advancement as an administrative assistant.

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Administrative assistant vs receptionist

Receptionists are generally the first people you see at a business or office. They greet and welcome clients and visitors, answer phones, and may set appointments. Administrative assistants don’t necessarily work at the front of an office and are more responsible for a lot of the behind-the-scenes organization of a business.

Administrative assistant vs office manager

Becoming an administrative assistant is usually one of the first steps on the path toward becoming an office manager. An office manager is the person responsible for the day-to-day operations of the office and may manage administrative assistants and receptionists. They ensure that the office runs smoothly, from making sure necessary supplies are kept in stock to scheduling some employees. Depending on the size of the company and office, office managers may have varying tasks that include planning office events to organizing company meetings for management and leadership teams.

Administrative assistant vs virtual assistant

A virtual assistant is sometimes considered a sort of digital version of an administrative or secretary and they may fill those roles for clients. But virtual assistants are almost always their own bosses, freelancing to offer their services to smaller companies, individual professionals, and busy people who need someone to take charge of their calendars and communication.

Virtual assistants perform a lot of the same tasks as administrative assistants, but rather than working for one employer, they handle many clients and projects. Depending on the client’s needs, their responsibilities include

• Taking calls
• Scheduling appointments and travel
• Writing professional documents and memos
• Maintaining and organizing records

Because being a virtual assistant allows them to be their own boss, they usually can decide how many clients they work for, what kind of tasks they’re willing to work on, the services they offer, and the hours they work.

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Administrative assistant vs bookkeeper

Some administrative assistants may be responsible for completing some bookkeeping work, depending on the size of the company they work for. This experience could be a great first step toward a full-time job as a bookkeeper for admins who want to advance their careers.

Bookkeepers record financial transactions, keep financial records up to date, and process invoices. Good bookkeepers need to be organized, detail-oriented, and analytical, which are qualities many administrative assistants already possess. A lot of the skills you need as an administrative assistant are transferable to other roles, so after gaining experience it’s not difficult for interested assistants to further their education and take the next steps toward becoming a bookkeeper. 

Administrative assistant vs medical administrative assistant

Medical administrative assistants have very similar jobs to administrative assistants. The biggest difference is that they are trained to provide admin services to a specific industry: healthcare. Medical administrative assistants most often work in physician’s offices, scheduling appointments, billing patients, and processing paperwork for health insurance claims. Because some tasks require specific knowledge, medical administrative assistants should have a good knowledge of medical terminology and medical office procedures on top of their other administrative skills.

Read more: Your Guide to Medical Assistant Duties

How to become an administrative assistant

To become an administrative assistant, you’ll need to

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent. At minimum, most admin assistant jobs are going to want to see at least a high school diploma or similar, like a GED.
• Gain relevant office skills or demonstrate experience. Employers will want new hires in the role to be able to demonstrate basic office skills, so even if you don’t go further than a high school education, you want to show that you know how to work with things like Excel and PowerPoint. Hiring managers will also be looking for soft skills like adaptability and communication skills.
• Complete education or training. While a degree isn’t necessarily required for this job, having some training or education in business or office work can be helpful, especially if you don’t have direct experience as an administrative assistant.
• Update your resume, apply for jobs, get hired! Make sure you tailor your resume and cover letters to the jobs you’re applying for, highlighting the skills you have that match what the role is looking for.

How to become an administrative assistant

There are a few different paths you can take to become an administrative assistant. However, the first step is to earn your high school diploma. Most employers require entry-level administrative assistants to have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify for the job. The steps to become an administrative assistant include

1. Getting your high school diploma or GED
2. Administrative assistant training
3. Finding an entry-level job
4. Gaining experience on the job
5. Deciding on your career path
6. Pursuing any additional education, specialization, or certification to take the next steps in your career  

Read more: The Busy Mom's Guide to Going Back to School 

Do you need a degree to become an administrative assistant?

No, you don’t need a degree to become an administrative assistant. However, even though it’s not a requirement to qualify for the job, having some formal training and education can be beneficial and help you stand out when competing for open positions. An Administrative Assistant Career Diploma can also help you build the skills that can set you up for success in the job.

If you don’t want to complete a full diploma program or college degree, completing some shorter, job-relevant certificate programs could be a good idea to back up your skills.

Do administrative assistants use AI?

Yes, administrative assistants do use AI in their everyday job. Besides having strong office, business, and soft skills, knowing how to use AI effectively is something a lot of employers will likely expect to see. You don’t have to be an expert in it, but being proficient and confident in how to use some of the more common AI agents to do things like help with meeting scheduling, data entry, and inbox management – among other tasks – can potentially help your chances of landing the job.

How to choose a good administrative assistant program

If you do decide to get formal administrative assistant training, you want to make sure you sign up for the right program that can help you build the skills you need. When you’re doing research, look for programs that cover things like

• Office technology, applications, and management
• Communication skills
• Business English

You’ll also want to find a program that is cost effective and works with your schedule, especially if you need to balance going back to school with work and family responsibilities.

How much experience do you need to be an administrative assistant?

Since becoming an administrative assistant is considered an entry-level job, you don’t necessarily need to have a ton of experience to qualify for the job. However, most employers do want to see that you have some level of experience with the skills you’ll need to be good at the job. While you don’t have to have an administrative assistant background to get a job as one, having other work experience that demonstrates things like communication skills, customer service skills, and office skills can be very helpful. 

Prepare for a new career with online administrative assistant courses

Whether becoming an administrative assistant is your end goal or it’s just the first step on your career path to other professional opportunities, earning an Administrative Assistant Career Diploma can help you build the foundational skills that can prepare you to get a foot in the door. With Penn Foster’s online training program, you can take the next steps toward starting a new career in the field on your schedule – from home. If you’re ready to start the next step on your career journey or have more questions about what you’ll learn in online classes, request more information or reach out to our expert Admissions Specialists at 1-800-275-4410!