NOC 13110: Administrative assistants

The employment outlook will be Good for administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

Several positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

This large occupation is found across all industries, so replacement of staff generates a lot of positions even though technology has lessened the need for many clerical tasks. The job market for this occupation has tightened in recent years throughout much of the province, improving prospects for applicants with little-to-no experience. Further, there has been an increase in remote hiring of admin assistants, providing individuals with employment opportunities beyond their geographic area. Even so, jobseekers may find that holding a post-secondary certificate is a requirement for many openings. Many employers have a preference for applicants with experience in a broader range of tasks, such as bookkeeping or the management of social media accounts, so applicants with backgrounds in these areas may have more success securing employment.

Here are some key facts about administrative assistants in Nova Scotia:

Approximately 5,050 people work in this occupation.

Administrative assistants mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 13%

Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 8%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 8%

Universities (NAICS 6113): 8%

Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 7%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 82% compared to 82% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 18% compared to 18% for all occupations

65% of administrative assistants work all year, while 35% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: less than 5% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: more than 95% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 23% compared to 27% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 41% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 18% compared to 20% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

Several positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

This occupation is found in all sectors of economic activity, but particularly in services.

In the medium term, it should benefit from projected growth in construction, healthcare, and education. However, job growth in the latter two sectors is expected to be more moderate at the beginning of the forecast period due to budgetary constraints limiting the hiring of administrative staff in the Quebec public administration.

However, the digitization of business activities, as well as changes in working methods, such as flexible working arrangements, the return of employees to the office and the geographical distribution of work teams, should support demand for this occupational group. The need to coordinate work teams in a virtual environment will remain important, which will also be an asset for this occupation.

Here are some key facts about administrative assistants in Quebec:

Approximately 82,500 people work in this occupation.

Administrative assistants mainly work in the following sectors:

Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing (NAICS 52, 53): 12%

Construction (NAICS 23): 10%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 7%

Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 6%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 82% compared to 82% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 18% compared to 18% for all occupations

64% of administrative assistants work all year, while 36% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: less than 5% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: more than 95% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 24% compared to 19% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 27% compared to 19% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 30% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 11% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Several positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Base services like administrative services are tied to general economic conditions and business cycle in the province.

A positive economic growth outlook for 2026 and 2027 should support a moderate employment growth.

The broader trade dispute environment and heightened uncertainty have weakened business confidence, slowing investment and hiring decisions as businesses evaluate ongoing risks.

High labour demand in construction, ambulatory healthcare services, and population-driven record enrolment in elementary and secondary schools will likely increase demand for this occupation.

Here are some key facts about administrative assistants in Saskatchewan:

Approximately 7,050 people work in this occupation.

Administrative assistants mainly work in the following sectors:

Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 11%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 8%

Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 6%

Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 6%

Religious, grant-making, civic, and professional and similar organizations (NAICS 813): 6%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 78% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 22% compared to 19% for all occupations

65% of administrative assistants work all year, while 35% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: less than 5% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: more than 95% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 33% compared to 33% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 20% compared to 15% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 12% compared to 18% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment decline will lead to the loss of a few positions.

Several positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Knowledge of certain software programs and industry characteristics may be required in some industries. The software-based automation of certain clerical tasks may result in fewer positions. Employers tend to seek administrative assistants who can learn new software quickly, and have advanced computing knowledge of databases, spreadsheets, word processing, and setting up power point presentations. The requirement for candidates with industry experience and strong organizational and time-management skills is also common.

Here are some key facts about administrative assistants in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Approximately 2,050 people work in this occupation.

Administrative assistants mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 19%

Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 9%

Universities (NAICS 6113): 8%

Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 7%

Construction (NAICS 23): 6%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 84% compared to 83% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 16% compared to 17% for all occupations

66% of administrative assistants work all year, while 34% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: less than 5% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: more than 95% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 18% compared to 27% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 16% compared to 17% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 54% compared to 23% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 9% compared to 14% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

Several positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Here are some key facts about administrative assistants in Prince Edward Island:

Approximately 1,250 people work in this occupation.

Administrative assistants mainly work in the following sectors:

Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 11%

Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 10%

Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 9%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 8%

Other services (except public administration) (NAICS 81): 8%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 84% compared to 84% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 16% compared to 16% for all occupations

69% of administrative assistants work all year, while 31% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: less than 5% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: more than 95% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 19% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 11% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 50% compared to 25% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 15% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

Several positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Administrative positions are typically entry-level and are found in nearly all industries.

New positions frequently become available through staff turnover, including positions that become vacant when employees are promoted.

Candidates with strong oral and written communications skills and familiarity with word processing and spreadsheet software packages are the most sought after for this position. However, digital literacy is becoming increasingly important, and knowledge of other software packages or processes may also improve job prospects, depending on the industry. Administrative assistants will be expected to work with new technologies, as they emerge.

The automation of tasks and the advancement of artificial intelligence may change the role of administrative assistants going forward.

Candidates may be required to be bilingual for certain positions.

Here are some key facts about administrative assistants in New Brunswick:

Approximately 5,300 people work in this occupation.

Administrative assistants mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 9%

Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 8%

Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 8%

Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 8%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 7%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 85% compared to 84% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 15% compared to 16% for all occupations

66% of administrative assistants work all year, while 34% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: less than 5% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: more than 95% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 27% compared to 30% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 44% compared to 23% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 12% compared to 16% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Several positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

Employed across all industries with the leading shares in educational services, public administration, and health care

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

Ongoing need for administration and office assistance across businesses and departments will support work in this occupation

There may be some opportunities for virtual assistants to support multiple clients

Greater use of technology may temper job growth and change some job functions

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

Completion of a college diploma in administration or previous experience in a clerical role may be required

Some employers may require assistants to have experience in a particular industry

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

There may be fewer employment opportunities in educational services during the summer months.

Here are some key facts about administrative assistants in Ontario:

Approximately 77,350 people work in this occupation.

Administrative assistants mainly work in the following sectors:

Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 8%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 7%

Construction (NAICS 23): 6%

Monetary Authorities - central bank and securities, commodity contracts and other intermediation and related activities (NAICS 521, 522, 523): 6%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 6%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 78% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 22% compared to 19% for all occupations

62% of administrative assistants work all year, while 38% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 7% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 93% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 28% compared to 25% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 8% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 32% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 23% compared to 24% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 6% compared to 13% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.

Several positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Key trends for this occupation include the use of advanced software and automation which may result in more complex tasks and fewer positions in the future. There has been an increasing growth in virtual assistant roles.

This occupation tends to have high employee turnover.

Here are some key facts about administrative assistants in Manitoba:

Approximately 8,100 people work in this occupation.

Administrative assistants mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 11%

Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 10%

Religious, grant-making, civic, and professional and similar organizations (NAICS 813): 6%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 80% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 20% compared to 19% for all occupations

65% of administrative assistants work all year, while 35% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 6% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 94% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 35% compared to 31% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 16% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 25% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 16% compared to 20% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Several positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Changes in technology, including the availability of online services, artificial intelligence, and the automation of back-office processes, may slow down job growth and change some job roles.

Here are some key facts about administrative assistants in Alberta:

Approximately 26,500 people work in this occupation.

Administrative assistants mainly work in the following sectors:

Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 10%

Construction (NAICS 23): 8%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 7%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 6%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 77% compared to 80% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 23% compared to 20% for all occupations

61% of administrative assistants work all year, while 39% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 5% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 95% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 34% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 13% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 19% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 16% compared to 21% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Several positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Employment opportunities may be impacted by digital transformation initiatives, including the availability of online services, artificial intelligence (for example virtual agents), and the automation of back-office processes (for example data entry).

Key trends for this occupation include the use of advanced software and automation which may result in more complex tasks and fewer positions in the future.

There has been an increasing growth in virtual assistant roles.

Here are some key facts about administrative assistants in British Columbia:

Approximately 30,350 people work in this occupation.

Administrative assistants mainly work in the following sectors:

Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 9%

Construction (NAICS 23): 6%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 6%

Religious, grant-making, civic, and professional and similar organizations (NAICS 813): 5%

Monetary Authorities - central bank and securities, commodity contracts and other intermediation and related activities (NAICS 521, 522, 523): 5%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 74% compared to 78% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 26% compared to 22% for all occupations

60% of administrative assistants work all year, while 40% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 8% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 92% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 31% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 13% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 24% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 22% compared to 22% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 7% compared to 12% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in Northwest Territories for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Several positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Administrative assistants are employed across all industries in the Northwest Territories.

Key employers include public administration, healthcare, and educational institutions.

Changes in technology, including the availability of online services, artificial intelligence, and the automation of back-office processes, may slow down job growth and change some job roles.

From 2021-2040, 341 job openings are forecast for administrative assistants in the Northwest Territories (

Government of Northwest Territories, 2023

).

Here are some key facts about administrative assistants in Northwest Territories:

Approximately 300 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.

Administrative assistants mainly work in the following sectors:

Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 61%

Educational services (NAICS 61): 15%

Health care and social services (NAICS 62): 11%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 89% compared to 88% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 11% compared to 12% for all occupations

75% of administrative assistants work all year, while 25% work only part of the year, compared to 71% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: less than 5% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: more than 95% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 12% compared to 17% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 40% compared to 26% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 9% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 33% compared to 18% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 5% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in Nunavut for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Administrative assistants are employed across all industries in Nunavut.

Key employers include public administration, healthcare, and educational institutions.

Changes in technology, including the availability of online services, artificial intelligence, and the automation of back-office processes, may slow down job growth and change some job roles.

Here are some key facts about administrative assistants in Nunavut:

Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.

Administrative assistants mainly work in the following sectors:

Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 61%

Educational services (NAICS 61): 15%

Health care and social services (NAICS 62): 11%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 94% compared to 87% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 6% compared to 13% for all occupations

74% of administrative assistants work all year, while 26% work only part of the year, compared to 72% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 11% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 89% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 31% compared to 37% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 36% compared to 22% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 11% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 17% compared to 15% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a