Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
The median pay for a secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $43,160/year ($20.75/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $28K at the entry level to $63K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.18), which stretches that salary to about $46,821 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,274/month — about 41% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $43K get you in Memphis?
About secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Entry-level secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives (10th percentile) start around $28K. Mid-career wages sit at $43K.Top earners bring in $63K or more - a $34K spread from bottom to top.
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $56K | +21% | 12,130 |
| Connecticut | $56K | +20% | 22,690 |
| Washington | $55K | +18% | 34,280 |
| Massachusetts | $54K | +16% | 34,570 |
| California | $53K | +15% | 169,670 |
| Rhode Island | $52K | +11% | 4,390 |
| Hawaii | $51K | +9% | 6,720 |
| Oregon | $50K | +8% | 23,260 |
| Minnesota | $50K | +8% | 30,160 |
| New Jersey | $50K | +7% | 60,320 |
| New York | $49K | +6% | 127,620 |
| Illinois | $48K | +3% | 79,440 |
| Vermont | $48K | +3% | 3,060 |
| Maine | $47K | +2% | 6,800 |
| Maryland | $47K | +1% | 55,250 |
Track secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Memphis numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median is $43,160 a year - that works out to about $20.75 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $28,490, and experienced secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives can clear $62,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $43K enough to live in Memphis?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,060/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,274/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 41.6% 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 secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive salary go in Memphis?
Memphis has a Regional Price Parity of 92.18 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive salary is worth about $46,821 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives 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.