Secretary still most common job for women

U.S. Census says the top five jobs for women are the same today as they were in 1950s; secretary tops the list.

By Charyn Pfeuffer - MSN Living Editor Feb 7, 2013 11:08PM

We’re sorry, ladies. When it comes to top jobs for women, we haven’t made much progress since the ‘50s.

Jobs as secretaries, bank tellers or clerical workers, sales clerks, private household workers and teachers reigned supreme in the ‘50s – and they still do, reports The Week.

At that time, roughly 1.7 million women held positions as stenographers, typists or secretaries, cites the U.S. Census Bureau. It was a easy for women to have a full-time career and succeed without the commitment of a college degree. Simply attend a secretarial school, get the necessary training and women could start on a professional path.

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Flash forward to 2010 and secretaries and administrative assistants position still hold the No. 1 position. Believe it or not, more than four million workers made up this category between 2006 and 2010.

This career isn’t going anywhere either. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects close to a half-million new administrative assistant positions by 2020 or 12 perfect growth.

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"Every time a major new technology showed up, there were always predictions that this would spell the end of secretaries," Ray Weikal, spokesman for the International Association of Administrative Professionals told CNN Money. "You saw that with the development of electric typewriters, the personal computer and the internet, but every time technology gets more efficient, the amount of business increases. You continue to need people who can use those tools."

In the category of administrative assistants, women outnumber men more than 20 to 1, but still earn less than their male counterparts. Full-time female secretaries and administrative assistants earned an average salary of $34,304 in 2010, while men earned $39,641.

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"The good news is over the past 40 years, there are very few jobs in which women have not broken through," Cindia Cameron, organizing director at 9to5, National Association of Working Women told CNN Money. "The glass ceiling is cracking in all different directions, but the bad news is, there is still a sticky floor. Most women still work in traditionally female jobs, like administrative support."

Why do you think secretary is still the top job for women?

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24Comments

Best

Feb 26, 2013 4:20PM

First of all, it's not "easy" for anyone to have a lifelong career as a secretary (a true secretary, not a general office clerk), as it's a very difficult job and plenty of people fail at it. It takes a high level of skill in several different areas and it requires intelligence.

It's a job that doesn't require a college degree or brute strength, and as jobs that require brute strength aren't ideal for a lot of women, becoming a secretary is a good way for a non college grad to make money, and is also a good career path for a college grad who has a degree that's difficult to find decent-paying work in, such as journalism, social work or theater arts.

Previous replies

Indy30

Feb 26, 2013 5:23PM

I guess I don't see what is so shameful about these jobs?

Women have the right... and the opportunity if they work for it in most fields... to choose any job they want, but there is nothing wrong with a woman choosing a clerical or nursing or teaching position. Typically, women are more nurturing than men (not always, but most of the time) and these skills are vital for most of the positions that women have historically held. There is nothing demeaning about holding these positions. I'm all for equal pay, but maybe there is a reason that women have flocked to these positions in the past. Maybe they enjoy them? It is almost like this article is saying that women who hold these positions are old fashioned and antiquated?

I am a woman... and an engineer. I've never felt held back by my gender... if anything it has helped me. It sets me apart from the competition when employers are looking at five resumes with identical qualifications. Being a girl in a man's world isn't always a bad thing... but it isn't for everyone.

Previous replies

dennysgirl11

Feb 26, 2013 5:28PM

Licensed Property and Casualty and Life and Health agent here. I do very well in a male dominated industry. I went to college and it was a bust. Broke into the business world. Ran an office for four years and now happily manage a busy insurance office. I can do it all. From the most menial office task to the most complicated commercial insurance accounts. Making me an extremely valuable asset in today's workplace. I love what I do.

Previous replies

BrandonKat

Feb 27, 2013 3:52AM

It appears we haven't come a long way, baby. I work in law and the only change I see is that there are more males working as "legal assistants", formerly known as legal secretaries. None of the guys I know doing this work would ever allow himself to be called a legal secretary. Different name - same old sh*t.

Previous replies

Joe Smith

Mar 1, 2013 1:36PM

I really don't understand why it's shameful to hold these positions as secretary or any of the other "stereotypical female jobs." Personally, I think those "stereotypical female jobs" are actually the most important in our businesses and community. We call our secretary the "director of first impressions," and even the partner of the firm has admitted that she has the most important job in the entire building.

It's almost like they're putting down those women who hold those jobs, as if they are selling themselves short or are being held down by "the man" to achieve their dreams of being a corporate shark. What if their dreams aren't to become a corporate shark? Not that every woman should, but what's wrong with being a stay at home mom, if that's their greatest dream and aspiration (THE most important job in the WORLD if I may add).

Life isn't about moving up the corporate ladder, or proving that one gender is just as good or better than the other. Personally, I consider the latter mindset to be very adolescent. Life is about doing everything you can to better your family, no matter what it takes. If more emphasis was placed on family rather than personal achievement through statuses and careers, then a lot of things would improve. Children would not feel abandoned and then go off and bully other kids, or come up with crazy ideas like to shoot up a school.

If we want to change something, we should focus more on the family. Honor the women who can hold a job and provide emotional support for their family. Encourage the fathers to be men to be actual men and stand up in the father role so that women don't feel this need to fend for themselves. It wasn't supposed to be like that.

So, to all of the corporate women out there, I commend you and your efforts to break so many barriers. You are reshaping America and have brought encouragement to so many other women out there. To all of the women in the "stereotypical female jobs," keep up the good work. Your job is not just stereotypical, but an intrical part of the community, business, and family. And to those women who are stay-at-home moms, I would consider you the bravest. Most people would say that you are belittling yourself just staying home and raising the kids, that you should go out and make a career and name for yourself. Instead, you have decided to put your family first, take on the full time job at raising your kids and making sure they know right from wrong, that they respect authority, and they grow up strong and wise. And that's the most important job in the world. Everyone, keep up the good work.

Now I will wait to write a similar response when there is a national men's history month.

Previous replies

thomas edwards (Peainthepod)

Feb 26, 2013 7:16PM

I think a lot of CEOs and office managers want a friendly, good-looking, and smart business woman sitting at the front desk instead of a man. Since the front desk is often the first and last impression that a customer has, a female filling that role makes more sense.

I think it has less to do with tradition and more to do what makes sense for the businesses bottom line.

Previous replies

Intellaman

Feb 27, 2013 5:37AM

Because men don't want it and won't do it and women are good at it. Pretty simple really.

Previous replies

dudeinski

Mar 1, 2013 2:50PM

um well, i'm not a woman- but i really question this report...for one i work for a woman today...she is the boss...and a good one too...number two, back in the 50's the number one job for a woman was house-wife....my question is what is so wrong with being a secretary, or bank teller? i would say there are more ladies doing that cause there are more jobs like that out there...there is usually only one CEO for a company and a bunch of employee's...my point is...it sounds like the info in the report is purposefully mis leading...don't know why... i love the fact woman are being empowered- but i can't stand when emotional arguments replace facts and are used like pawns to put a gap between us:)