Administrative Assistant salary in San Jose, CA
Median pay, San Jose / Silicon Valley metro
$62,940/year
about $30.26 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $53,220 – $77,380
Half of administrative assistants in the San Jose / Silicon Valley metro area earn more than $62,940 a year and half earn less. That's 32% higher than the national median of $47,540, and ranks #1 of the 29 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $46,040 | $22.13 |
| 25th | $53,220 | $25.59 |
| Median (50th) | $62,940 | $30.26 |
| 75th | $77,380 | $37.20 |
| 90th (top earners) | $89,290 | $42.93 |
*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 Jose / Silicon Valley metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $53,220 ($25.59/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $53,220 to $77,380 ($25.59 to $37.20/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $77,380 ($37.20/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 Jose / Silicon Valley 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.