Administrative Assistant salary in San Diego, CA
Median pay, San Diego metro
$55,380/year
about $26.63 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $46,730 – $64,080
Half of administrative assistants in the San Diego metro area earn more than $55,380 a year and half earn less. That's 16% higher than the national median of $47,540, and ranks #5 of the 29 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $39,860 | $19.16 |
| 25th | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| Median (50th) | $55,380 | $26.63 |
| 75th | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| 90th (top earners) | $75,780 | $36.43 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a administrative assistant job in the San Diego metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $46,730 ($22.47/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $46,730 to $64,080 ($22.47 to $30.81/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $64,080 ($30.81/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Executive assistant roles supporting senior leaders usually pay more than general admin roles and fall under a different BLS category.
- Ask whether the role is hourly or salaried, and how overtime is handled.
- "Other duties as assigned" can grow quickly. Ask what a typical week looks like.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, San Diego metro. Occupation: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive (SOC 43-6014). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.