US dataswitch to UK

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

answering telephones and give information, setting up and managing paper or electronic filing systems, establishing work procedures or schedules and keeping track of the daily work of clerical staff and preparing and mailing checks. If that's your week, this page is about your job.

The honest answer

Most tasks in this job are the kind AI has learned to do: using computers for various applications. The tasks, though, are not you.

Your move: three real directions from here ↓

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 58%
changing shape: 11%
staying human: 31%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

Whole-job exposure score 61 out of 100 (56–67 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, across 31 scored tasks. The number is the support for the sentence above it, not a headline about anyone’s future.

How we know this

What is measured: Every published task statement for secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive is rated on five dimensions: can a model produce the output, does the work need a body in a room, does it need a legally accountable person, does it depend on a person being trusted in the moment, and how much data exists. A published formula turns those five ratings into the score; the model never writes the number.

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

It would be a lie to soften that; making copies of correspondence or other printed material is what this work rebuilds around. Your move starts there.

Your week, as this page understands it

Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers. The job title says “secretaries”, “administrative assistants”, “except legal”, “medical” or “executive”: officially one job, several names. The real job is the part underneath: making copies of correspondence or other printed material. That is the thing someone has to be right about.

The exposed part of this job is specific, and we won’t pretend it is coming back. But secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive is not one task. It is 31 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is making copies of correspondence or other printed material, and the ledger below shows exactly why.

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 58%
changing shape: 11%
staying human: 31%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

How we know this

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

Your job, task by task

These are the official task statements for this occupation, in plain English, sorted by what the evidence says is happening to each one. The official wording sits under every line so you can check the rewrite against it.

3 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.

Shifting to AI

17 tasks

Tasks today’s tools can already do most of. This is the part we will not soften: where these rows are the bulk of your week, the week changes.

Using computers for various applications
This is reading one thing and writing another: computers in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Use computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Using computers for databases and word processing is core screen work software does directly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Answering telephones and give information
This is reading one thing and writing another: telephones in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (75–83 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Answering calls, giving information, taking messages and transferring callers is voice and text work systems already do.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Creating, maintaining and entering information into databases
This is reading one thing and writing another: information in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Create, maintain, and enter information into databases.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Creating, maintaining and entering information into databases is routine data work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Setting up and managing paper or electronic filing systems
This is reading one thing and writing another: and managing paper in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Set up and manage paper or electronic filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents, such as attendance records, correspondence, or other material.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 69 out of 100 (62–76 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Managing filing systems and keeping documents updated is routine organizing, though paper records need handling.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Changing shape

4 tasks

Tasks where the machine takes the producing and a person keeps the checking, the deciding, or the answering-for-it. For most jobs this is the biggest group, and it is where "transformation, not termination" is literally visible.

Learning to operate new office technologies as they
The software now makes the first pass at operate new office technologies, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Learn to operate new office technologies as they are developed and implemented.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Getting to grips with new office systems depends partly on hands-on practice with the specific tools in place.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Opening, reading, routing and distributing incoming mail or other materials and answering routine letters
The software now makes the first pass at mail, but part of it still happens in the physical world. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Open, read, route, and distribute incoming mail or other materials and answer routine letters.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 46 out of 100 (39–53 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Answering routine letters is easy writing work, but opening and distributing physical mail needs hands.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Collecting and depositing money into accounts
The software now makes the first pass at money, but part of it still happens in the physical world. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “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.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 40 out of 100 (33–47 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Bookkeeping and balancing accounts is number work, but collecting and banking cash means going there in person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Staying human

10 tasks

Tasks that stay with a person, because they happen in the physical world, because the rules need someone accountable, or because the value is that a specific person does them.

Operating office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers or phone systems and arranging for repairs when equipment malfunctions
This work happens in the physical world: office equipment, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 14 out of 100 (10–18 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Working fax machines, copiers and phone systems, and getting them fixed, means being at the equipment.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Greeting visitors or callers and handling their inquiries or directing them to the appropriate persons according to their needs
This work happens in the physical world: visitors, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Greet visitors or callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the appropriate persons according to their needs.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 32 out of 100 (25–39 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Handling inquiries is straightforward, but greeting visitors at the door means someone being there.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Making copies of correspondence or other printed material
This work happens in the physical world: copies of correspondence, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Make copies of correspondence or other printed material.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–7 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Copying printed material means standing at the machine and feeding it paper.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

Show the other 21 tasks

Conducting searches to find needed information
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: searches in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Conduct searches to find needed information, using such sources as the Internet.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 100 out of 100 (96–100 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Looking things up on the internet is something current tools do quickly and thoroughly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Completing forms in accordance with company procedures
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: forms in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Complete forms in accordance with company procedures.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Filling in forms according to company procedure is structured document work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Reviewing work done by others to check for correct spelling and grammar
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: work done in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Review work done by others to check for correct spelling and grammar, ensure that company format policies are followed, and recommend revisions.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Checking other people's work for spelling, grammar and house format is exactly what proofreading software does well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Maintaining scheduling and event calendars
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: event calendars in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Maintain scheduling and event calendars.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Keeping diaries and event calendars straight is routine scheduling that software does end to end.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Composing type and distributing meeting notes, routine correspondence or reports
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: type in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Compose, type, and distribute meeting notes, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Writing up meeting notes, routine letters and standard reports is drafting work software does to a good standard.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Developing or maintaining internal or external company Web sites
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: internal or external company web sites in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 3 · Supplemental
Source: “Develop or maintain internal or external company Web sites.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (86–100 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Building and updating company websites is well-documented work software handles, using the firm's own content.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Scheduling and confirming appointments
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: appointments in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Schedule and confirm appointments for clients, customers, or supervisors.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (75–83 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Booking and confirming appointments is scheduling work, though it involves messages back and forth with people.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Providing services to customers, such as order placement or account information
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: services in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “Provide services to customers, such as order placement or account information.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (72–86 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Placing orders and giving account information for customers is routine system work with a short conversation attached.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Arranging conference, meeting or travel reservations for office personnel
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: conference, meeting or travel reservations in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “Arrange conference, meeting, or travel reservations for office personnel.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (75–83 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Booking conferences, meetings and travel is search-and-reserve work that online tools handle.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Operating electronic mail systems and coordinating the flow of information
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: electronic mail systems in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Operate electronic mail systems and coordinate the flow of information, internally or with other organizations.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (75–83 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Running email systems and passing information around the organization is routine screen work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing conference or event materials
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: conference in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 3 · Core
Source: “Prepare conference or event materials, such as flyers or invitations.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Flyers and invitations can be drafted and designed quickly, though the event details come from the office.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Locating and attaching appropriate files to incoming correspondence requiring replies
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: appropriate files in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Locate and attach appropriate files to incoming correspondence requiring replies.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 69 out of 100 (62–76 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Finding the right file and attaching it to incoming correspondence is document look-up, though paper files need handling.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Performing payroll functions, such as maintaining timekeeping information and processing and submitting payroll
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: payroll functions in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “Perform payroll functions, such as maintaining timekeeping information and processing and submitting payroll.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 69 out of 100 (62–76 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Payroll processing is highly structured, but rules and professional norms keep a qualified person in the loop.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing and mailing checks
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at checks, but part of it still happens in the physical world. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “Prepare and mail checks.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 40 out of 100 (33–47 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Preparing checks is straightforward, but mailing them is physical and payments need an authorized signature.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Establishing work procedures or schedules and keeping track of the daily work of clerical staff
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles work procedures and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “Establish work procedures or schedules and keep track of the daily work of clerical staff.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 39 out of 100 (32–46 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Setting procedures and schedules is planning work, though keeping track of staff depends on knowing the people.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Training and assisting staff with computer usage
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles staff and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 3 · Core
Source: “Train and assist staff with computer usage.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 39 out of 100 (32–46 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Guides and materials are easy to produce, but helping a colleague at their computer works best in person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Ordering and dispensing supplies
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: supplies, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 3 · Core
Source: “Order and dispense supplies.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 38 out of 100 (31–45 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Ordering supplies is simple system work, though handing them out means being in the office.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Coordinating conferences, meetings or special events, such as luncheons or graduation ceremonies
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: conferences, meetings or special events, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “Coordinate conferences, meetings, or special events, such as luncheons or graduation ceremonies.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 32 out of 100 (25–39 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Event plans and schedules are easy to draft, but running a conference or luncheon means being on site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Managing projects or contribute to committee or team work
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles projects and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “Manage projects or contribute to committee or team work.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 26 out of 100 (19–33 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Running projects and pulling your weight on a committee depends on working relationships and local knowledge.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Supervising other clerical staff and providing training and orientation to new staff
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles other clerical staff and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “Supervise other clerical staff and provide training and orientation to new staff.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 21 out of 100 (14–28 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Supervising clerical staff and settling new starters in depends on a person being there for them.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Mailing newsletters, promotional material or other information
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: newsletters, promotional material or other information, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 3 · Supplemental
Source: “Mail newsletters, promotional material, or other information.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 19 out of 100 (12–26 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Newsletter and promotional content is easy to produce, but stuffing and mailing the batch is physical.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

What this job pays, and how many people do it

Median pay: $47,540a year, the middle of the range, so half earn more and half earn less.bls-oews, 2025 · May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx)
How we know this
Source: bls-oews
Reference period: May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx)
Rounding: Shown as published.
People doing this job: 1,706,790in the US, 2025.bls-oews · May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx)

What is deliberately not here: a forecast of how many of these jobs exist in ten years. Where an official projection exists for a market we publish it with its vintage; where it does not, we leave the space empty rather than borrow the other country’s number.

Why this is shifting

The reason is boringly specific. Most of what is shifting here is reading one thing and writing another: operate new office technologies in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: using computers for various applications and answering telephones and give information. What it cannot do is be there in the room, and that is still where copies of correspondence get done. Which is why this page talks about your tasks changing, not your job ending.

Your move

Over a pint: what I’d tell you if you were my friend

The exposed part of your job is the biggest part, and I am not going to dress that up: using computers for various applications is work today's tools do quickly and cheaply, and that is not coming back.

So, given all that: 58% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 11% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 31% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 31 scored tasks. It is not a forecast about you.

What you have that the software does not is making copies of correspondence or other printed material, plus the years of knowing when something looks wrong before you can say why. That is the raw material for everything below.

This week: one thing

Sit on the machine's side of the desk. Pick one real piece of operate new office technologies you would normally do yourself, let whatever software you already have take the first pass at it, and then go through what it produced and write down every single thing it got wrong. One evening this week. Do not fix anything yet. Just catch it.

What you end up holding: a written list of the machine’s mistakes, in your handwriting
How long it takes: an evening, or an hour if you pick one job rather than one client

If you can’t run software on your employer’s or your clients’ data: Do the same hunt on paper. Take one printed piece of operate new office technologies, work through it the way you always do, and mark every point where you made a call rather than followed a rule. Same evening, same list, nothing to log into and nobody to ask permission from. That list is the same artifact: it is the judgment written down.

Over the next 90 days

Change one sentence about what you do. Not on a CV. Out loud, to whoever pays you. From “my job is using computers for various applications” to “I check what the software does and tell you what it means.” Your error list from this week is what makes that sentence true instead of a claim, so use it: show it once, to one person, inside the next ninety days. Same skills, priced as judgment rather than as typing.

Over the next 12 months

Walk toward the end of this job that answers for things, and get it recognised. Pick the one part of making copies of correspondence or other printed material you are already best at, and spend the year making it formal: a qualification, a named responsibility, a specialism people ask for by name. Price it honestly: that is evenings, it is months rather than weeks, and the seats are competitive because everyone in your position is looking at the same door. Before you pay for anything, use CareerOneStop - Find local training. It is free, it is the Labor Department's own service, and it is listed below with the rest of the free routes.

The roads out of here, and why I am not sending you down them

I looked at the obvious moves out of this job, and here is what I found.

I checked the 12 nearest US occupations to secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants: only about 10% of its durable work is work you already do and it is under the same pressure this job is. I am not going to pretend that is comfortable news: 58% of your own task list is already in the top exposure band. But the answer on this evidence is not a sideways jump into a job with the same problem. It is to walk toward the end of this one that answers for things. “operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and…” is the part that stays with a person, and spending a year getting formally recognised for it beats a standing start somewhere else.

How that was checked: this job was compared against all 830 US occupations in this release on their official task statements, and the 12 nearest were examined one by one. A move that turns on an industry, an employer or a qualification rather than on the work itself will not show up in a check like that. And this release carries no licence register, so anything you are weighing needs that looked up separately.

3 moves I checked and rejected

These are the obvious-looking jumps. They are here with their reasons rather than quietly dropped, because the ones that fail are worth knowing about. It is one less thing to turn over at night.

Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already greet visitors or callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the…, and their equivalent is to greet visitors and determine whether they should be given access to specific individuals. Across both published task lists that is about 10% of the durable work in that job.
Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 10% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on. I will not move you off one melting floe onto another: 68% of its own task list already scores in the top exposure band (65/100 in this release), so the same software is eating it.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Word Processors and Typists
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already make copies of correspondence or other printed material, and their equivalent is to print and make copies of work. Across both published task lists that is about 10% of the durable work in that job.
Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 10% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on. I will not move you off one melting floe onto another: 67% of its own task list already scores in the top exposure band (68/100 in this release), so the same software is eating it. And it is a narrow door: about 35,010 of those jobs against 1,706,790 of yours (OEWS May 2025), 2% as many seats.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already greet visitors or callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the…, and their equivalent is to greet visitors, ascertain purpose of visit, and direct them to appropriate staff. Across both published task lists that is about 6% of the durable work in that job.
Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 6% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step.
Look at that job’s page anyway →

What I’d stop worrying about

A friend tells you what not to spend fear on. This is that list.

The headline number you read somewhere
The big “X% of jobs” figures are about the whole economy, not about you. The number that describes your job is on this page: 58% of its task weight, across 31 scored tasks. Every row behind it is printed above with the source. Check ours; ignore theirs.
“It’s too late for me to become something else”
You are not starting from zero, and the page shows why: making copies of correspondence or other printed material is work the software cannot do and you already do it. The move above is a repricing of what you know, not a new career. Nobody who has just left college has that.
“I should learn to code”
Almost certainly not. The value in your job is moving toward checking, deciding and answering for the output, not toward writing the software. A weekend of Python will not change your position; the error list from this week will.
The “obvious” next job everyone suggests
I checked the obvious moves and most of them did not survive. The reasons are printed with the routes above, including the pay and the gate. A move that fails on the numbers is worth knowing about so you can stop turning it over at night.

You are reading the United States figures

The United Kingdom splits this work across more than one official group, of which Personal assistants and other secretaries is the closest. The pay and employment figures are not directly comparable, and we do not average them together.

Switch to the United Kingdom page →partial match

In UK official statistics this job is counted as Personal assistants and other secretaries. Pay and employment stay on this page’s own group; the task list and the scores do not cross over.

Your route through this

Two honest options, and no deadline on either

Free, and complete

The moves above cost nothing. These are the real services that go with them: public, government-funded, and free at the point of use. Nothing on this page is behind an email address or a payment.

Anywhere in the US:
CareerOneStop - Find local training
Search what's running near you, from the Labor Department's own database, before anyone sells you a course.
Free to search; individual programs vary, and some are funded
Anywhere in the US:
American Job Center locator
An American Job Center will sit down with you for free. Find yours by ZIP code.
Free
- CareerOneStop local help hub
Anywhere in the US:
CareerOneStop - Licensed occupations finder
Check what your state actually requires before you pay for anything.
Free
Anywhere in the US:
CareerOneStop
Free

A guided route for this

Collab365 Spaces is built by the same people as this site. We find the problems that AI and automation are creating inside one kind of work, then solve them as short courses, briefings and Blueprints. Each Space is the community too, so the research and the people doing your job are in the same place.

What a Space actually is, in full

Microsoft 365 Productivity Workers is built for coordinators, administrators, team leads and project owners who live in Outlook, Teams, meetings, files and task lists (the people this page is about). It works on the part of your job that is growing rather than shrinking: running the diary, the follow-ups, the meeting actions and the shared files as one system, instead of re-typing and re-sending the same things by hand.

Try Microsoft 365 Productivity Workers free →

7 days free, no card needed. Explore up to 2 Spaces before you choose a plan: you pick a plan later, not now.

After the trial it is a paid community, and you get identical data either way. If the overlap above is not your job, the moves above cost nothing and stand on their own.

Noted, and thank you. We’ll email you if a Space for administrative assistants launches. Nothing else.

That did not look like an email address, so nothing was saved. Have another go below.

We could not save that. The fault is ours, not yours, and your address was not stored. Please try again later.

No deadline on any of this. The page will still be here, and the data is refreshed on a published schedule rather than when someone wants a headline.

Questions people ask about this job

Will AI replace Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?: Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 31 official task statements scored for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive (United States, SOC 43-6014), 58% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 61 out of 100 (range 56–67, band: high). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.
Which tasks in “Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive” can AI already do?: The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Conduct searches to find needed information, using such sources as the Internet” (100/100, very high); “Complete forms in accordance with company procedures” (93/100, very high); “Review work done by others to check for correct spelling and grammar, ensure that company format policies are followed, and recommend revisions” (93/100, very high). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.
Which tasks in “Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive” stay human?: About 31% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Make copies of correspondence or other printed material” (0/100, minimal); “Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions” (14/100, minimal); “Mail newsletters, promotional material, or other information” (19/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.
What should someone working in “Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive” do about AI?: Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 58% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 31% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.
How is the AI exposure score for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive calculated?: Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 31 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

Where these numbers come from

Worth knowing about these figures

The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
3 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.

Task statements: onet-dbProcessing: catalogue-bridge → onet-im-rt-weighting → task-scoring → score-aggregation
Task weights: onet-db (im-rt)
Scores: Rubric task_scoring_v1.0, model claude-opus-5, computed 2026-08-04.
Pay and employment: bls-oews (May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx))bls-oews (May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx))

Figures on this page come from release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Every release keeps its own permanent address, so a figure you cite in March is still there, unchanged, in November.

The plain-English wording on this page is assembled directly from the task statements and the published ratings, not written by hand for this occupation. That is why it is specific, and it is also why we say so.

The routes and free resources further up are today’s, not the release’s (last reviewed 2026-08-05). A route is an offer, not a historical fact, so it moves on its own clock.

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Using these figures?

Cite this

Everything on this site is published under CC BY 4.0. Quote it, chart it, sell something built on it. Just say where it came from, and cite the dated release rather than the site, so the figure you quote stays checkable.

Plain text

Collab365 (2026). Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1 (methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0). https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Built with O*NET data (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); ONS data (Open Government Licence v3.0); GAISI task framework (arXiv:2507.22748, MIT); BLS data (public domain).

BibTeX

@misc{collab365futureproof2026q41,
  title        = {Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1},
  author       = {{Collab365}},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1},
  note         = {Release 2026-q4.1, methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0, CC BY 4.0}
}

Permalink

https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1

Data as of release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Releases never change after publication; when the figures move, a new dated release is published beside this one and this one stays exactly where it is.