Administrative Assistant Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$46,000
national median salary
$38,000 to $56,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $47,540 for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive (SOC 43-6014) across the United States, based on 1,706,790 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$33,280
25th percentile
$38,830
Median
$47,540
75th percentile
$58,000
90th percentile
$66,350
Workers surveyed
1,706,790
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$46,290
May 2025 release
$47,540
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive (SOC 43-6014) rather than Administrative Assistantspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 43-6014Highest Paying
$63,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$48,000
Boulder, CO
Lowest Paying
$34,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 43-6014. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Administrative Assistant salary in the United States at $46,000 in 2026, within a range of $38,000 to $56,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $63,000, while Boulder offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Industry and executive level supported are the strongest pay determinants.
Administrative Assistant salary by city.
Skills that increase Administrative Assistant pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Administrative Assistants based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $6,440 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$6,440 per year
≈ +$5,980 per year
≈ +$5,520 per year
≈ +$5,060 per year
≈ +$5,060 per year
≈ +$4,600 per year
≈ +$4,600 per year
≈ +$4,140 per year
What you should know.
Industry and executive level supported are the strongest pay determinants. Administrative assistants in legal, finance, and tech earn 15 to 25% more than those in education or nonprofit sectors. Proficiency with advanced tools like SAP, Concur, or project management software further boosts earning potential.
Entry-level administrative assistants earn $30,000 to $36,000. Experienced administrative assistants reach $40,000 to $50,000. Senior administrative assistants earn $48,000 to $58,000. The path upward leads to office manager ($52,000 to $70,000) or executive assistant ($60,000 to $92,000) roles.
Bonuses are modest, typically $1,000 to $3,000 annually. Benefits packages often carry significant value, especially at large corporations, including health insurance, retirement matching, and generous PTO. Overtime pay can add 10 to 15% to annual earnings.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Administrative Assistants typically earn $39,000 (15% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Administrative Assistant pay.
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