Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
The median pay for a medical secretaries and administrative assistants in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $52,260/year ($25.13/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $67K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $49,573 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,922/month — about 56.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $52K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
About medical secretaries and administrative assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level medical secretaries and administrative assistants (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K.Top earners bring in $67K or more - a $22K spread from bottom to top.
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $57K | +28% | 11,650 |
| California | $53K | +18% | 116,890 |
| Massachusetts | $50K | +12% | 22,110 |
| Oregon | $50K | +11% | 15,530 |
| Minnesota | $49K | +9% | 16,240 |
| Connecticut | $49K | +9% | 5,010 |
| Hawaii | $49K | +9% | 2,490 |
| Alaska | $48K | +8% | 2,260 |
| New York | $48K | +8% | 34,170 |
| Rhode Island | $48K | +6% | 1,900 |
| District of Columbia | $47K | +6% | 1,610 |
| Wisconsin | $47K | +5% | 5,800 |
| Maryland | $47K | +5% | 14,550 |
| New Jersey | $47K | +4% | 17,710 |
| New Hampshire | $47K | +4% | 3,770 |
Track medical secretaries and administrative assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do medical secretaries and administrative assistants make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $52,260 a year - that works out to about $25.13 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,860, and experienced medical secretaries and administrative assistants can clear $66,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,332/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 57.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a medical secretaries and administrative assistants salary go in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median medical secretaries and administrative assistants salary is worth about $49,573 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do medical secretaries and administrative assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.