Why is 'secretary' still the top job for women?

(MoneyWatch) The floor of my office is covered with women's magazines from 1963. I collect old magazines like Good Housekeeping and Ladies' Home Journal, and recently I've been studying the ones from exactly 50 years ago. The times they were a-changing then, with Betty Friedan's articles causing consternation in the letters-to-the-editor sections, and time-saving articles starting to acknowledge that some women actually worked outside the home, too.

What job did many of them have? Secretary -- the most common job title for women in the 1950s and 1960s. Although a lot has changed since then, it turns out that secretary and administrative assistant remain the most popular job titles for women, according to the Census Bureau.

Why is that? Some of this is just the nature of how the Census Bureau tracks jobs. An administrative assistant is a general title. You could be called that working in the oil industry or in a hospital. Some other female-dominated titles are also pretty broad: Elementary and middle school teacher for instance (no matter what subject or where you teach), or registered nurse (no matter whether you handle labor and delivery, pediatrics, hospice, or any other specialty). This is one reason women are more concentrated in fewer job titles than men.

Yet it also still speaks to a broader perception of what women are viewed as being well-suited for in office environments. Women can play support roles (some 96 percent of administrative assistants are women) but not leadership ones. Only about 32 percent of managers are women, the Census Bureau reports, and less than 20 percent of chief executives. With women earning the majority of all college degrees for decades, and now the majority of graduate degrees, it's unlikely this is because women are less qualified, in general, to be managers.

The biggest problem with this female ghetto is that administrative assistants don't tend to be highly paid. There are exceptions, of course; the secretary that a company-hopping CEO insists on taking with him is going to do well. But on average administrative assistants earn around $33,000 a year. This is less than what retail managers make, less than what truck drivers make, and less than the national median full-time salary of around $40,000. As women become about half of the workforce, one of the things that keeps the median family income down is the high proportion of women in lower-paying jobs.

Everyone is free to pursue whatever jobs they like, but it can be helpful for young people to peruse the tables produced by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the median incomes for various jobs. Actuaries need a degree and to pass certain exams, but on average they earn $105,000 a year. Engineering occupations tend to pay well, with engineering managers averaging $113,000.

There are far more women capable of passing the math and science courses necessary to earn an engineering degree than actually do. But 50 years after Friedan's seminal feminist book, "The Feminine Mystique," it seems we still view women as being good at organization and support, not running and making things.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user bethcoll

[GlobalMagik]

When women stop using there gender as an excuse for not being all that each individual desires to become is when we as a species, not a gender separated society will see changes in our social structure. I've come across many drama oriented or as I call them "Hen Clucking" articles such as this in my life time and the focus seems to always be the same money. Not once have I read an article that explains or social structure within the idea of duality. Within every relationship, be it between a man and a women, a man and man, or women and women. Each party in the relationship takes on either the dominant or the submissive role. We as women are naturally submissive through our sexual placement within the structure of humanity and more often then not we have no desire to be in a dominant position within this structure. To be the CEO of a company means that this individual has to take on the responsibility and accountability of dominating all individuals that report under them and it is this person's responsibility to make sure that everyone of these individuals does there job to the best of there ability so that they can provide for there responsibilities. With this said it is a fact that many women don't want the accountability or responsibility that comes with jobs that require this of them. There is very little accountability associated with administration but you make a mistake as a CEO and others loose there jobs, your make a mistake as a truck driver and others can get killed. If you understand the society that we live in today you will understand how pay scales work. The more responsibility, accountability and decision making a job require the more money it pays and this has nothing to do with gender.

[ronardt]

Could it be that women want the flexibility that secretaries and administrative assistants have. Don't forget, many men are teachers and nurses as well! You seem to think that women do not want these type of office jobs and that they all strive to be the boss!??? Where does that come from? Women are still given the primary role of custodian and guardian for their children because studies suggest they are more nurturing with younger children and enjoy raising their kids. My mother resents it that you think of her job as a ghetto!
It is too bad that you still view women as being good at organization and support, not running and making things. Maybe, as your article suggests, I should train my daughter to be a truck driver so she can make more money! It appears you seem to judge happiness, giving family support, and being realistic in this economy to actually HAVE A JOB as goals not worth the pay!

[darxandra]

I have a Master's in Information Systems, Microsoft Certified Professional Developer, Certified PMP and a woman. While I am not in the low admin assistant salary level, I have to work hard for everything I get and have much less chances of promotion where I am at. As an example that I am capable of managing as well as a man, I successfully managed and completed a high-profile project that several different men in the organization could attempted and failed for several years. Unfortunately, there is still a gender bias issue in our modern world.

Bottom-line, I spent a couple of years frustrated over that. Now I have decided to just continue to do my best and choose to be happy rather than let the world take away my joy in life.

[william02138]

College degrees are not all the same. As the joke goes, the science major says 'why does it work', the engineering major says 'how does it work', the accounting major says 'how much does it cost', and the liberal arts major says 'do you want fries with that?'.

So what if women have more college degrees than men? You have to know what majors they chose before you know if this has any bearing at all on their career prospects.

My wife has a successful career as a scientist. We know many women who are doctors. As a woman you won't have any more obstacles than a man does in pursuing these careers, but it's a lot of work. You won't just have it handed to you. 'Secretary' is a much easier career to pursue.

[[e-mail]]

Why is that?
Can it be that it also still speaks to the choices women make? Women can play support roles and they can play leadership roles (32 percent of managers are women and just around 20 percent are chief executives.) With women earning the majority of all college degrees for decades, and now the majority of graduate degrees, it's unlikely this is because women are less qualified. In general, may it just be a matter of time for women to take on true leadership roles in society and corporations?
Can the female ghetto be self made? If on average administrative assistants earn around $33,000 a year and this is less than what retail managers make, less than what truck drivers make, and less than the national median full-time salary of around $40,000 it appears the real question is, if other options exist to make more money why do more women than men gravitate toward the lower paying job of administrative assistant?
The fact that the median family income is down is not due to the high proportion of women in lower-paying jobs. The median family income is down because the overall median income is down. Given that the economic system is in equilibrium, if one person was to take a position for more money that would just mean that someone making more would then end up making less when they filled the lower position. Overall, the change in the position of one individual or group of individuals would have a net neutral effect on median family income.
While there are far more women capable of passing the math and science courses necessary to earn an engineering degree than actually do, the question is why don't more women enter the field?
Is it possible that 50 years post "The Feminine Mystique," that women still view women as being good at organization and support, rather than running and making things?

[AlBlack52]

Firstly there have been massive changes since the 1960's: Secretary is a dying occupation, since the managerial class now all use Word Processors. I am therefore not sure what you mean by "administrative assistant" - if it is an office junior, or a filing clerk then those are entry level positions, which would pay less than the average wage. If it means Executive Assistant, or Personal Assistant then they pay better.
In Australia a PA would be paid AU$60,000 (US$62K) or more, depending on the level of responsibility.
I agree with your comment that the job descriptions are far too broad to be much use, but I don't agree with the implication that women are under-paid due to gender discrimination.

For an alternative view of the Gender Gap Myth, read http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-07-26/commentary/32859540_1_gender-wage-women-staffers-higher-paying-fields

Many women work part-time because of work/life balance requirements: "When comparisons are made between men and women who work 40 hours per week, women make 87% of men's earnings, according to the Labor Department. For men and women who work 30 to 34 hours a week, women make more, 109% of men's earnings.
When economists compare men and women in the same job with the same experience, the analysts find that they earn about the same."

The reason more women work in office administration than as truck drivers or miners, is that many prefer being able to dress elegantly, work in an air-conditioned office and keep clean and cool than to work up a sweat getting their hands dirty in manual labour. If you think that is a sexist statement, then so is the often-repeated myth of the Gender Pay Gap. Office jobs are also far safer than working outdoors, underground or in factories, so the supply of people willing to work in safe, pleasant working conditions is far higher, even at lower rates of pay. Econ 101 tells you a higher supply means demand is met at a lower price.
No discrimination there, just the laws of Supply and demand.

[DianneBaumert-Moyik]

It's been 100 years since women battled for and earned the right to vote; almost 50 years since Betty Friedan first published the "Feminine Mystique" which challenged perceptions of what and who women are supposed to be. Today, women are earning more college degrees than men in what everyone considers the traditional and non-traditional careers. Gainful employment (with companies that offer tuition reimbursement programs) and on-the-job experience are stepping stones to affording to continue your education -- whether an undergraduate degree or graduate experience. More education means more opportunity, more earnings and a better ability to provide for your well being and the well being of your family. And, it's a calculated decision that only one can make when the timing is right (career, family, support, time commitment) and you can't be afraid to take a risk on yourself. It could mean the difference between being in the same job forever or a whole new world of possibilities you never even dreamed of. At 49, I recognize and appreciate all women who have come before me, sacrificed, and paved the way for the next several generations to grow, learn and lead. I am proud to say I found a 1974 10th anniversary copy of Betty's book and plan to read it this month!

[leelee91914]

Laura, I usually love your columns but, respectfully, I want, as a woman, I find this "women aren't paid enough" hand wringing really tiresome. If more money is the top priority to a woman, she can go into a higher paying position. I have never experienced any bias against me as a woman in over 30 years in the workforce.

To the extent that this even is an issue, it seems to be the result of women CHOOSING to go into careers that don't pay well. I know male secretaries and and they aren't paid any better than female secretaries. Women are free to look into salaries in advance and factor that into their career choices.

I'm a woman and I value making money. So I deliberately looked for a career path that had more income opportunity as a small business owner.

But with that said -- the hours I work are long. I work with a lot of secretaries at my client sites and I think many of them chose that career path because they don't want to work more than 9 to 5. When the day is done they head home to their families and leave work completely behind. Whereas it's normal for the people in the high paying roles to put in much longer days, work on the weekends, and be constantly available.

Also, women may gravitate toward more nurturing positions - secretary, teacher, hospice, etc. That may be a choice that fits with more female personalities. But it doesn't make the work more complicated where you need higher education or more intelligence to do it as you would with traditionally higher paying engineering, science, doctor, attorney, etc. type positions. If good secretaries that can get the job done are easy to come by, why should employers pay them more than they're worth?

[beechnut79]

I find the next to last paragraph of this comment to be on target. I do not begrudge any woman who has the talent to do so to find her true calling. As a single man in the dating field, however, I must say that the 9 to 5 secretary types were usually the ones who made the best dates. Why? It is because their time after 5 and on weekends is usually their own, whereas this is more often not the case with the more professional class. Over the past half century or so, especially since the 1980's, there has been much societal pressure to go "upscale" and the upscaling of restaurants, clothing, and just about everything else has become legendary. If anyone think this is a sexist comment, I as a man also consider 70 hour workweeks to be lunacy, especially if you aren't getting paid for all that extra time. And hasn't this whole politically correct bit gotten a bit out of hand?

[polyproc47]

After 35+ years as a secretary/administrative assistant/office manager, I actually got up to $39,000 a year. Like Missshona, I also was a college dropout who went back to college and got my BS in General Business. Then 15 years later I got my MBA in Marketing, because I was working for a marketing firm and thought they would appreciate me more with more education. I left the marketing firm before I finished my degree. When I applied for starting positions in other marketing firms, I was considered too old to start at the bottom, plus I had all those years as an administrative assistant, so I kept getting told "no." I ended up becoming the assistant to the President of a real estate firm, but there was no place for me to go unless I wanted to use my real estate broker's license to become a real estate salesman like others in the firm. Yes, I had a real estate broker's license also. It was frustrating. Now I work with my husband at our own consulting firm and although I make a lot less money, it is fulfilling to know that my brains come in handy as a consultant.

[saucymugwump]

"When I applied for starting positions in other marketing firms, I was considered too old to start at the bottom, plus I had all those years as an administrative assistant, so I kept getting told 'no.'"

This has nothing to do with your being a woman, but it does have a lot to do with America's intolerance of people who do not fit perfectly-shaped molds.

[[e-mail]]

Interesting article... But, it's the standard women-are-victims harangue; they've-always-been-treated-inequitably in the corporate workplace and always will be. If women didn't go into secretary/AA and similar lines of work, there would be a candidate shortage for such positions. That, in and of itself, would drive up those salaries. As long as women continue going into job areas that have low salaries, this seeming inequity will endure.

If a woman has an analytical mindset and the interest in being an actuary or an engineer (or hundreds of other higher-paying occupations) they will have the opportunity for MUCH better pay during their careers. However, most higher-paying positions require specialized education and aptitude. Not everyone (regardless of gender) has the particular kind of intelligence or interest to go into the educational programs that are necessary to get such positions. If women get the requisite education, they will get those higher-paying positions. Let's get real — it's not gender that causes low pay, it's the position!

[leelee91914]

My thoughts exactly.