Administrative Assistant salary in San Francisco, CA
Median pay, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland)
$62,110/year
about $29.86 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $51,700 – $77,660
Half of administrative assistants in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area earn more than $62,110 a year and half earn less. That's 31% higher than the national median of $47,540, and ranks #2 of the 29 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| 25th | $51,700 | $24.86 |
| Median (50th) | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| 75th | $77,660 | $37.34 |
| 90th (top earners) | $90,220 | $43.38 |
*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 Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $51,700 ($24.86/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $51,700 to $77,660 ($24.86 to $37.34/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $77,660 ($37.34/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 Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland). 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.