Administrative Assistant salary in the United States
National median pay
$47,540/year
about $22.86 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $38,830 – $58,000
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| 25th | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Median (50th) | $47,540 | $22.86 |
| 75th | $58,000 | $27.88 |
| 90th (top earners) | $66,350 | $31.90 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: San Jose ($62,940). Lowest of the cities we track: San Antonio ($43,440).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $62,940 | $53,220 – $77,380 |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,110 | $51,700 – $77,660 |
| Seattle, WA | $60,230 | $50,700 – $68,080 |
| Boston, MA | $59,330 | $48,690 – $65,140 |
| San Diego, CA | $55,380 | $46,730 – $64,080 |
| Portland, OR | $55,360 | $47,280 – $63,310 |
| Sacramento, CA | $55,020 | $46,690 – $63,710 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $54,080 | $46,960 – $61,810 |
| Washington, DC | $53,660 | $44,750 – $64,090 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $53,550 | $44,720 – $64,290 |
| New York, NY | $51,440 | $45,140 – $61,150 |
| Chicago, IL | $50,440 | $42,260 – $62,970 |
| Denver, CO | $49,760 | $45,110 – $60,480 |
| Baltimore, MD | $49,220 | $42,340 – $59,330 |
| Nashville, TN | $49,000 | $40,110 – $58,710 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $48,850 | $41,280 – $58,910 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $48,800 | $42,610 – $58,400 |
| Austin, TX | $48,470 | $39,250 – $57,290 |
| Dallas, TX | $47,450 | $38,100 – $57,250 |
| Miami, FL | $47,450 | $38,730 – $56,050 |
| Detroit, MI | $47,330 | $39,800 – $55,700 |
| Charlotte, NC | $46,800 | $38,580 – $53,360 |
| Houston, TX | $46,750 | $36,630 – $57,560 |
| St. Louis, MO | $46,200 | $38,200 – $53,550 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $46,040 | $38,490 – $52,710 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $45,550 | $37,440 – $50,610 |
| Atlanta, GA | $45,270 | $35,660 – $57,320 |
| Orlando, FL | $44,370 | $37,700 – $50,070 |
| San Antonio, TX | $43,440 | $35,510 – $50,770 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for administrative assistants, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
- Below market under $38,830 ($18.67/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $38,830 to $58,000 ($18.67 to $27.88/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $58,000 ($27.88/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.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. 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.