Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Salary in U.S.
The median pay for a secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive in U.S. is $46,290/year ($22.26/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $46K get you in U.S.?
About secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $46K.Top earners bring in $64K or more - a $33K 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 U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives make in U.S.?
The median is $46,290 a year - that works out to about $22.26 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,600, and experienced secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives can clear $64,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $46K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,269/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 43.2% 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 U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive salary is worth about $46,290 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.