Nonsense.
As you can see from the data (for secretaries, with a link to 3,200 other professions included) in the above post, average incomes have soared from $3,060 in 1950 up past $28,000 by 1995, and they continue to climb today.
Average Administrative Salaries
OfficeTeam's 2000 Salary Guide contains some of the most up-to-date, "real world" salary and staffing trend information available. Job descriptions and a regional analysis of hiring trends and selected local salary variances are also included in the guide. You can request a copy of the Salary Guides through OfficeTeam’s Web site, www.officeteam.com, under "free resources" in the Career Corner section.
Here are the U.S national averages for various support titles/levels and average percentage increase from 1999 to 2000 (Canadian national averages are also included).
|
Title |
|
Salary Range | % increase from 1999 |
|
Front Desk Coordinator |
|
$21,000-$26,000 | 2.2% |
|
Junior Administrative Assistant |
|
$20,250-$23,000 | 6.1% |
|
Administrative Assistant |
|
$21,500-$26,500 | 5.5% |
|
Senior Administrative Assistant |
|
$25,000-$35,500 | 3.4% |
|
Executive Assistant |
|
$28,500-$34,750 | 5.4% |
|
Senior Executive Assistant |
|
$33,500-$46,000 | 2.6% |
|
Office Manager |
|
$26,500-$33,500 | 5.3% |
|
Senior Office Manager |
|
$33,000-$44,000 | 2.0% |
According to the OfficeTeam guide, "Administrative Assistants who possess the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) rating through the International Association of Administrative Professionals may command higher starting salaries." In addition, a new section on employee retention added to the salary guide this year also suggests that employers offer administrative staff paid association membership to build contacts and develop professionally.
Average Annual Salaries for Secretaries/Administrative Support Staff
1951-1999
Data based on research from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and other sources as noted.
1951
Average Annual Salary
Secretary: $3,060 (membership survey)
1965
Average Salary
Secretary: $5,678 (membership survey)
1975
Average Salaries (membership survey)
60% reported salaries of $9,000 or more
32% in the $9,000-$11,000 range
17% in the $11,000-$13,000 range
7% in the $13,000-$15,000 range
4% at $15,000 and over
1980
Average Salaries (membership survey)
| Under $10,000 | 14% |
| $10,000-$11,999 | 16% |
| $12,000-$14,999 | 33% |
| $15,000-$16,999 | 22% |
| $17,000-$19,999 | 12% |
| $20,000 or more | 4% |
1983
Average Salaries
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1983
| Secretary I | $14,732 |
| Secretary II | $16,031 |
| Secretary III | $18,254 |
| Secretary IV | $20,032 |
| Secretary V | $23,137 |
Administrative Management Society Survey, 1983
| Level B | $13, 468 |
| Level A | $15,080 |
| Executive Secretary | $17,628 |
IAAP Salary Study, 1983
| Below $10,000 | 3% |
| $10,000-$12,999 | 12% |
| $13,000-$15,999 | 23% |
| $16,000-$18,999 | 25% |
| $19,000-$21,999 | 19% |
| $22,000-$29,999 | 16% |
| $30,000-up | 2% |
1983 - 1990 comparison
Secretaries enjoyed a 36.1% increase in salary between 1983 and 1990, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics. The median average salary for secretaries in 1983 was an estimated $13,000. In 1990, it was almost $18,000. That put the average secretary a few steps ahead of the Consumer Price Index -- which measures the cost of living for a family of four. The CPI rose 31.3 percent in the same period.
1988
Average Salaries (based on member survey results)
| Less than $10,000 | 13% |
| $10,000-$19,999 | 18% |
| $20,000-$39,999 | 36% |
| $40,000-59,999 | 16% |
| $60,000-$74,999 | 5% |
| $75,000-$99,999 | 3% |
| $100,000 or more | 3% |
| Don't know/refused | 7% |
1991
Average Salary Range, by Title
| Administrative Assistant | $24,903-$29,305 |
| Executive Secretary | $24,582-$28,300 |
| Administrative Secretary | $24,267-$31,013 |
| Secretary/Receptionist | $ 8,320-$17,744 |
| Secretary | $19,352-$24,517 |
1995
Fortune Magazine, June 1995, "What Americans Earn"
| Initial Pay | Industry Average | Typical Top Pay | |
| Secretary | $12,480 | $28,189 | $50,000 |
| Receptionist | $13,000 | $22,387 | $28,000 |
| Executive Secretary | $14,000 | $37,485 | $70,000 |
1999
Average salaries
1999 Administrative and Office Support Salaries, United States
| Administrative Assistant | $20,000-$25,500 |
| Senior Administrative Assistant | $23,500-$36,000 |
| Executive Assistant | $26,000-$34,000 |
| Senior Executive Assistant | $32,000-$45,500 |
| Office Manager (up to 5 years exp.) | $25,000-$32,000 |
| Senior Office Manager (5+ years exp.) | $32,500-$43,000 |
| Specialized Medical Secretary | $26,000-$36,000 |
| Desktop Publishing Specialist | $27,000-$38,000 |
According to a 1997 IAAP study, the average salary for IAAP members was $28,420. Just over half (51%) earned over $26,000; thirty-one percent earned over $31,000.
For 3,200 other job-field salaries in the U.S., Click Here
Nonsense.
As you can see from the data (for secretaries, with a link to 3,200 other professions included) in the above post, average incomes have soared from $3,060 in 1950 up past $28,000 by 1995, and they continue to climb today.