Secretaries
Wages & Outlook
Wages
Wages vary based on the secretary's skill, experience, and level of responsibility. Wages vary by industry. They tend to be highest in transportation and public utilities. Wages are often lowest in retail trade, finance, insurance, and real estate.
Benefits vary by employer. Full-time secretaries usually receive typical benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Part-time secretaries often do not receive benefits.
View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:
Employment
In Minnesota, about 13,447 secretaries work in this large occupation.
Major employers:
- Schools and colleges
- Local, state, and federal government agencies
- Temporary worker agencies
Outlook
Secretaries will continue to play key roles in organizations. Many tasks that secretaries perform, such as working with clients, are not easily automated. In addition, good communication skills cannot be replaced by technology. Opportunities for secretaries will vary by industry.
Growth in secretarial jobs will be limited by the fact that most office workers have their own computers. Workers who would have given secretaries a letter to type in the past, now type it themselves or send an e-mail. Because so many people use e-mail for communication, there is less correspondence that needs to be filed. The trend is that there are fewer tasks for secretaries. This means one secretary can help more people. In addition, some tasks that secretaries used to do, such as bookkeeping, are now done by other workers.
The need to replace secretaries who leave this very large occupation will result in many job openings each year.
| Employment | Employment Change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2020 | Number | Percent | |
| U S | 2,032,200 | 2,150,800 | 118,500 | 5.8% |
| Minnesota | 13,307 | 13,761 | 454 | 3.4% |
| 2010 | 2020 | Number | Percent | |
| Central Minnesota | 1,261 | 1,369 | 108 | 8.6% |
| Northeast Minnesota | 806 | 813 | 7 | 0.9% |
| Northwest Minnesota | 1,209 | 1,248 | 39 | 3.2% |
| Southeast Minnesota | 1,135 | 1,191 | 56 | 4.9% |
| Southwest Minnesota | 879 | 876 | -3 | -0.3% |
| Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN | 8,027 | 8,279 | 252 | 3.1% |
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.
