Administrative assistants and executive secretaries

Average salary: $47,210

Demand: Fair. Senior-level executive assistants and customer service professionals with top computer skills are seeing the best opportunities and slightly higher pay. Healthcare, education, and nonprofits remain relatively strong, but the overall job market has slowed.

Qualifications: Strong interpersonal and up-to-date computer skills, experience, and willingness to take on additional responsibilities. A second language, degrees add to marketability.