Office Clerks, General vs. Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: Who Earns More?
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives out-earn Office Clerks, Generals by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Office Clerks, Generals land at $45,010 and Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives at $47,540. The education gap is real: office clerks, general programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Office Clerks, Generals is District of Columbia ($55,040); for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives it's District of Columbia ($59,910).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Office Clerks, General median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Office Clerks, Generals or Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives?
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives earn more nationally. The median is $45,010 for Office Clerks, Generals versus $47,540 for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Office Clerks, General or Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Office Clerks, General or Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
Office Clerks, General typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Office Clerks, Generals get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Office Clerks, Generals at $55,040/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Office Clerks, General vs. Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Office Clerks, Generals earn $55,040 vs. $59,910 for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.