The 2025 State of the Profession

Lucy Brazier explains how administrative professionals can lead, evolve, and thrive in her review of 2025 ASAP State of the Profession Report

The administrative profession is undergoing a profound transformation, and the recently published 2025 ASAP State of the Profession Report offers a timely and vital look at what that means for the future of administrative professionals (APs). The landscape is shifting rapidly, driven by technological advances, evolving workplace structures, and increasing demands for strategic input. This report highlights the crucial developments that will shape the profession and underscores why now, more than ever, it’s important for administrative professionals to seize the opportunities ahead.

The State of the Profession report introduces a Career Stages Framework, which categorizes the evolution of administrative roles into four stages: Assisting, Supporting, Partnering, and Leading. Each stage reflects an increase in responsibility, autonomy, and strategic involvement, with APs moving from tactical tasks to high-level leadership roles. This framework offers valuable insight into career progression for the US market; however, it’s worth noting that the Global Skills Matrix, developed in 2021, provides a more comprehensive structure for assessing competencies and mapping career development in a way that complements and extends the ideas presented in the Career Stages Framework.

The Impact of AI on the Administrative Profession

One of the most exciting and challenging changes for APs in 2025 is the rise of artificial intelligence. The 2025 ASAP State of the Profession survey shows that AI adoption among APs has more than doubled in just a year, from 26% in 2024 to 53% in 2025. This surge marks a dramatic shift in how APs work, with AI now an integral part of their daily tools. Whether it’s ChatGPT, Grammarly, or Microsoft Copilot, AI is helping APs work smarter, faster, and more strategically.

For those who are still apprehensive about AI, the data paints a clear picture: AI is here to stay, and its adoption is not only increasing but also becoming essential for those who want to remain competitive in the field. APs are using AI tools primarily for tasks like writing and research, with ChatGPT being the most widely used tool, adopted by over 70% of those who use AI. As Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and other tools like Grammarly become more mainstream, APs will increasingly rely on these technologies to optimize their workflows.

What does this mean for you, the administrative professional? AI is not a threat; it’s an opportunity to elevate your role. Rather than spending hours on mundane tasks, you can leverage AI to automate processes, optimize schedules, and even assist in drafting communication. With more time to focus on high-level, strategic work, you can demonstrate your value as a partner in leadership and decision-making. The 2025 report also shows that APs who are using AI tools are more likely to report an increase in their productivity, enabling them to take on more strategic responsibilities.

As AI tools become more sophisticated, the skills needed to use them effectively will also evolve. The 2025 survey identified AI tools and automation as top priorities for AP training in 2025. If you haven’t already, now is the time to invest in training that will equip you with the knowledge and expertise to harness the full potential of AI. The future of your career depends on your ability to adapt to new technologies and use them to enhance your strategic influence.

The Skills That Matter: From Communication to Leadership

The ASAP State of the Profession Report 2025 emphasizes the importance of skills development in the evolving landscape of administrative work. As the role of the AP continues to shift from tactical to strategic, the demand for new and advanced skills has never been greater. According to the survey, the top skills that APs are focusing on in 2025 include AI tools, project management, data visualization, strategic planning, and executive-level communication.

At every stage of an AP’s career, there are certain core skills that are expected, such as organizational communication, time management, and problem-solving. However, as APs move into more strategic roles, the demand for leadership skills becomes paramount. The 2025 report highlights a growing need for APs to develop proficiency in skills such as executive-level project management, strategic thinking, and people management.

For those at the Assisting stage, the primary focus remains on foundational skills such as scheduling, document organization, and active listening. But as APs progress through their careers, the complexity of their roles increases. At the Supporting and Partnering stages, APs begin to take on more autonomy, manage projects, and contribute to business strategy. At the Leading stage, APs are expected to take on high-level responsibilities such as managing executive projects, strategic planning, and systems thinking at the executive level.

A particularly important area of focus for 2025 is leadership. The report reveals that APs at the Leading stage are unsurprisingly the most proficient in leadership skills, including executive project management, strategic planning, and presenting at the executive level. However, APs at earlier stages, especially those in Assisting and Supporting roles, often view leadership skills as emerging skills that they are still working to develop.

This signals a clear message for APs at all levels: it’s time to start thinking and acting like a leader. Whether it’s managing a small team or presenting strategic plans to executives, APs must build leadership skills to stay relevant in a rapidly changing professional landscape. Leadership isn’t just about managing people; it’s about influencing business decisions, driving organizational goals, and becoming a trusted advisor to executives.

Training and Professional Development: The Key to Advancement

For APs, professional development is the foundation of career progression. The 2025 ASAP report underscores the importance of continued learning and training, revealing a notable increase in both internal and external training opportunities for APs. In 2025, 72% of APs reported receiving internal training, while 59% took part in external training, showing a significant rise in professional development participation compared to previous years.

Despite these positive trends, barriers still exist. The report identifies time constraints, budget approval issues, and the relevance of training content as the primary obstacles preventing APs from pursuing professional development opportunities. Many APs, particularly those at the Assisting stage, face challenges in accessing the resources they need to grow and advance in their careers. This is where organizations must step up. Investing in APs’ professional growth is beneficial not only for the individuals but for the organization as a whole. When APs are supported with the right training and development opportunities, they can better align with the organization’s strategic goals, increase productivity, and enhance their overall performance.

One area where APs are seeing a clear return on investment is in certifications. The report reveals that APs with professional certifications earn $5,000 to $6,000 more annually than their non-certified peers. Certification not only validates your expertise but also gives you a competitive edge in the job market. It signals to employers that you are committed to your profession and equipped with the knowledge and skills to drive success.

Compensation Trends: Know Your Worth

Compensation continues to rise for APs, but there are still disparities that need to be addressed. The 2025 report reveals that the average salary for APs has increased to $69,643 per year, with 44% of APs reporting incomes exceeding $70,000. While this is a positive trend, salary growth has slowed compared to previous years. In particular, performance-related pay increases have been the main driver of salary growth. APs who engage in professional development, whether through certifications, external training, or taking on more responsibilities, are more likely to see salary increases.

Interestingly, the report also highlights that APs who directly support executives tend to earn more than those in non-executive support roles. Executive-supporting APs earn an average of $71,000 per year, which is 22% higher than their non-executive supporting counterparts. Additionally, the compensation gap between career stages is significant. APs at the Leading stage, for example, earn an average of $84,102 per year, while those at the Assisting stage earn closer to $57,125 annually. This reinforces the notion that as APs take on more strategic responsibilities, their compensation reflects that increased value.

The Call to Action: Invest in Yourself

As the 2025 ASAP report makes abundantly clear, the administrative profession is evolving rapidly. The future of the profession is being shaped by those who are willing to embrace new technologies, develop leadership skills, and invest in their own professional growth. If you’re reading this and wondering what comes next for your career, the answer is simple: invest in yourself.

For APs at all stages of their careers, this is the time to seize the opportunities that are emerging. Learn the latest tools, such as AI and project management software, and develop the leadership skills that will set you apart from others in your organization. Whether it’s through certifications, attending training events, or taking on more strategic tasks, now is the moment to take charge of your career.

If you’re feeling undervalued or stuck, the 2025 ASAP report provides a clear roadmap to help you advocate for your worth. By understanding the value you bring to your organization, identifying skills gaps, and pursuing relevant training, you can move from reactive to proactive, ensuring that your career progression aligns with your goals and the future of the profession.

The landscape is shifting. The administrative professionals of the future aren’t just people who manage tasks; they are strategic partners, tech-savvy leaders, and indispensable contributors to organizational success. The 2025 ASAP State of the Profession report is not just a snapshot of where we are today; it’s a call to action for APs to take ownership of their professional journey and ensure they’re equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

So, ask yourself:

The time to act is now.

The 2025 State of the Profession report can be downloaded here: https://www.asaporg.com/downloads/state-of-the-profession-report

The Global Skills Matrix is available as a free resource here: https://globalskillsmatrix.com/