Ethan Rhodes
Hospital unit secretaries are in high demand and are responsible for a variety of clerical and administrative tasks. They are often the first point of contact for patients and are responsible for greeting them, recording their medical information and insurance details, and directing them to their rooms. They also assist with patient discharge, answer phone calls and emails, and provide support to medical professionals. Unit secretaries are required to have strong communication skills, computer skills, and knowledge of medical terminology. As of 2025, the average annual salary for a unit secretary in the United States is around $50,000, with the hourly rate ranging from $13.30 to $22.15. The salary can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and the specific department within the hospital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salary | The median wage for medical secretaries is $34,610, with half earning higher wages and half earning lower wages. The lowest-paid 10% earn below $24,240, while the top 10% earn over $50,340. The average salary is $50,088 per year or $24 per hour. |
| Salary by Experience | Entry-level: $15.79/hour. Early career (1-4 years of experience): $15.94/hour. |
| Salary by Location | The District of Columbia: $47,110 per year. Massachusetts: $44,900 per year. Rhode Island: $43,740 per year. Evansville, Indiana: $45,000 per year. Washington, D.C.: $76,759 per year. San Francisco: $93,646 per year. |
| Salary by Industry | Government & Public Administration: $48,438. Manufacturing: $45,895. Healthcare: $42,539. Education: $41,518. |
| Salary by Company | Stanford Health Care, John Muir Health, and Kaiser Permanente are among the top-paying companies in Healthcare. University of Pennsylvania, University of Miami, and University of Alabama at Birmingham are among the top-paying companies in Education. |
| Job Description | Greet patients, record their medical problems and insurance information, direct patients to their rooms, answer phones and emails, take notes for medical professionals, coordinate with other departments, schedule appointments, make copies, and maintain patient files. |
| Minimum Requirements | High school diploma, experience with electronic equipment, and knowledge of medical terminology. |
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What You'll Learn
Salary range and job outlook
Salary Range
As of 2025, the average annual salary for a hospital unit secretary in the United States is $50,088, with a typical pay range between $41,546 (25th percentile) and $61,047 (75th percentile). The hourly rate for this role ranges from $13.30 for entry-level positions to $22.15 for more experienced unit secretaries. The median hourly pay across all medical secretaries was $16.64 as of May 2017, with the lowest-paid 10% earning under $11.65 and the highest-paid 10% making over $24.14.
The specific pay for a hospital unit secretary can vary depending on the type of hospital. On average, they earn $36,310 in general hospitals and $38,290 in specialty hospitals. Additionally, the cost of living in different regions can significantly impact the required salary to maintain the same standard of living. For example, a hospital unit secretary earning $45,000 in Evansville, Indiana, would need to make $76,759 in Washington, D.C., or $93,646 in San Francisco to maintain their standard of living.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for hospital unit secretaries is positive, with an expected increase in demand for these professionals. The BLS projects an 11% growth in job demand for medical secretaries and administrative assistants, including hospital unit secretaries, from 2020 to 2030. This is faster than the average growth for all jobs and significantly better than the decline in legal secretary positions. The rapid expansion of the healthcare industry and the growing senior citizen population are expected to contribute to increased job opportunities for hospital unit secretaries.
The specific duties of a hospital unit secretary can vary depending on the department they work in, which could include radiology, oncology, ICU, pediatrics, or labor and delivery. However, the core responsibilities revolve around clerical and administrative tasks, supporting both patients and medical staff. Unit secretaries are often the first point of contact for patients, greeting them, managing their records, and directing them to the appropriate rooms. They also assist with appointment scheduling, billing, insurance verification, and maintaining patient privacy in accordance with HIPAA procedures.
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Daily duties and responsibilities
Hospital unit secretaries are responsible for a variety of clerical and administrative tasks that support the smooth functioning of their assigned department or unit within a hospital. They work closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers to ensure efficient patient care. Here is a detailed overview of their daily duties and responsibilities:
Greeting and Assisting Patients:
Hospital unit secretaries are often the first point of contact for patients when they arrive at the department for appointments or procedures. They greet new and existing patients, assist with patient admission and discharge, and provide directions to visitors and patients. They also help patients with filling out forms, ensuring these are completed accurately and in accordance with insurance requirements.
Answering Calls and Emails:
Answering incoming phone calls and responding to emails are crucial aspects of the role. Unit secretaries act as the main point of contact for the department, communicating with patients, their families, and other medical professionals. They take messages, relay information, and direct calls to the appropriate medical staff.
Scheduling and Appointment Management:
Unit secretaries schedule patient appointments, including new consultations and follow-up exams, in accordance with doctor availability. They coordinate with other hospital departments to schedule tests and procedures, such as MRIs, x-rays, or bloodwork. Secretaries also handle appointment reminders, referral requests, and ensure patients have the necessary instructions prior to their procedures.
Maintaining Patient Records:
Maintaining accurate and up-to-date patient records is a critical responsibility. This includes organizing and filing patient charts, test results, and medical reports, ensuring they are readily available for physician review. Secretaries must also verify and update patient information, adhering to medical record software systems and data entry procedures, while maintaining patient privacy in compliance with HIPAA guidelines.
Supply Management:
Hospital unit secretaries are responsible for maintaining inventory and ordering office and medical supplies as requested by the medical staff. They keep track of stock levels and ensure that all supplies and equipment are readily available when needed.
Meeting Preparation and Clerical Tasks:
Unit secretaries support the administrative needs of the department, including preparing for meetings, handling daily mail, and managing the unit's correspondence. They make copies, back up files, and page hospital personnel. They may also take notes and transcribe medical reports for other healthcare professionals.
The daily duties of a hospital unit secretary are diverse and fast-paced, requiring strong organizational, communication, and computer skills. They play a vital role in ensuring the efficient operation of a hospital unit, providing essential support to both patients and healthcare providers.
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Qualifications and requirements
The qualifications and requirements to become a hospital unit secretary vary. A high school diploma or equivalent degree is the minimum educational requirement for the position. Some hospitals may also require a bachelor's degree, certification, or associate's degree. Vocational schools also offer short-term diploma programs for aspiring medical secretaries, which can help meet requirements.
Unit secretaries should have excellent knowledge of medical terminology and hospital processes. They should also be proficient in using computers and specialized software, such as Microsoft Office, electronic medical record systems, and coding software. Additionally, they should be familiar with medical procedures, abbreviations, and billing practices.
Strong communication and people skills are essential, as unit secretaries frequently interact with patients, visitors, and healthcare staff. They should also be well-organized, able to prioritize tasks, and adaptable to the fast-paced medical environment.
Some hospitals may require unit secretaries to have completed CPR and first aid certification due to the medical nature of the work. While not always mandatory, professional certifications in medical billing or terminology can enhance a candidate's application.
Previous experience in a medical office assistant role or similar is often advantageous. Hospitals usually provide on-the-job training to familiarize unit secretaries with specific processes and procedures.
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Working environment and conditions
Working as a hospital unit secretary can be a rewarding career path for those with strong organisational, communication, and administrative skills. Unit secretaries are administrative workers in a medical facility, usually a hospital or a clinic. They are in charge of religious activities in the unit or department they are assigned to. They also manage incoming and outgoing mail, phone calls, appointments, and patient admissions and discharges.
Unit secretaries work in a fast-paced medical environment, requiring them to juggle multiple tasks and interact with various people daily. They are often found in hospitals, with each department having a unit secretary. Examples of departments include radiology, oncology, ICU, pediatric, and labor and delivery. The specific job duties of a unit secretary vary depending on the department and the type of patients served.
Unit secretaries are responsible for providing administrative support to nursing staff, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. They maintain patient files, charts, and medical records, ensuring accuracy and privacy in accordance with HIPAA procedures. They also coordinate with insurance companies and manage billing and reimbursement.
Additionally, unit secretaries assist with scheduling appointments, procedures, and tests, and they facilitate communication between the hospital and patients. They play a critical role in the healthcare delivery system by handling administrative tasks, ensuring that healthcare professionals can focus on patient care.
Unit secretaries typically work behind the scenes, but they also interact with patients when they arrive, leave, or call the department. They may also walk through the unit to receive assignments and provide patient support. Part-time and full-time positions are available, with varying shifts, including standard eight-hour shifts and longer 12-hour shifts similar to those of nurses. Some hospitals offer weekend-only shifts as well.
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Career progression and development
As of 2025, the average yearly salary for a unit secretary in the United States is $50,088, with a typical pay range between $41,546 (25th percentile) and $61,047 (75th percentile). The highest salary reported is $72,674 (90th percentile). The hourly rate for this role is between $13.30 and $22.15, with an average of $24.
The salary of a hospital unit secretary can vary depending on several factors, including experience, qualifications, and location. Entry-level unit secretaries with less than a year of experience can expect an average hourly rate of $15.79, while those with 1-4 years of experience can earn an average of $15.94.
Unit secretaries with more advanced degrees may qualify for promotions and increase their income potential. Additionally, those who oversee more junior unit secretaries can also expect higher earnings.
The specific department a unit secretary works in can also impact their salary. For example, the top-paying industries for unit secretaries in the United States are Government & Public Administration, with a median total pay of $48,438, followed by Manufacturing ($45,895), Healthcare ($42,539), and Education ($41,518).
The demand for hospital unit secretaries is expected to grow in the coming years, with an 11% increase in job demand projected from 2020 to 2030, outpacing the average for all jobs. This growth is attributed to the rapid expansion of the healthcare industry and the increasing population of senior citizens.
To enhance their career prospects, hospital unit secretaries should focus on gaining relevant experience, developing strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and building a solid understanding of medical terminology and billing procedures. Additionally, unit secretaries should aim to improve their communication skills and ability to work in a fast-paced medical environment.
Unit secretaries who are willing to relocate can also explore higher-paying opportunities in different regions. For example, to maintain the same standard of living, a unit secretary earning $45,000 in Evansville, Indiana, would need to earn $76,759 in Washington, D.C., or $93,646 in San Francisco.
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Frequently asked questions
A hospital unit secretary is an administrative professional who handles various clerical and patient-facing duties in a medical setting. They work in hospitals and other medical facilities with specialized departments.
Hospital unit secretaries are responsible for greeting patients, recording their medical problems and insurance information, and directing patients to their rooms. They also answer phones, take appointment requests, assist with patient discharge, and take notes for medical professionals.
The minimum requirements include a high school diploma, experience using electronic equipment such as fax and copy machines, and knowledge of medical terminology.
The salary of a hospital unit secretary depends on various factors such as experience, location, and the type of hospital. On average, they can expect to earn around $36,310 in general hospitals and $38,290 in specialty hospitals. The pay range can be from $13.30 to $22.15 per hour, with an average of $24 per hour or $50,088 per year in the United States. Additionally, the cost of living in different cities and regions can significantly impact the required salary to maintain the same living standard.
