Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The median pay for a secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $53,570/year ($25.76/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $73K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $49,237 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 89.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $54K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K.Top earners bring in $73K or more - a $36K 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $53,570 a year - that works out to about $25.76 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,780, and experienced secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executives can clear $73,450. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,631/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 86% 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (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 secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive salary is worth about $49,237 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.