Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants vs. Office Clerks, General: Who Earns More?
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants out-earn Office Clerks, General by $920 a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants land at $45,930 and Office Clerks, General at $45,010. The education gap is real: medical secretaries and administrative assistant programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while office clerks, general programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants is Washington ($58,100); for Office Clerks, General it's District of Columbia ($55,040).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants or Office Clerks, General?
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants earn more nationally. The median is $45,930 for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants versus $45,010 for Office Clerks, General, a difference of $920. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants or Office Clerks, General?
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants has the better 10-year outlook at 4.2% projected growth, compared to -6.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants or Office Clerks, General?
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Office Clerks, General requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants get paid the most?
Washington is the top-paying state for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants at $58,100/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants vs. Office Clerks, General pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants earn $58,100 vs. $50,500 for Office Clerks, General. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.