Administrative Assistant Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$46,000
national median salary
$38,000 to $56,000. Last updated July 2026.
Highest Paying
$63,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$48,000
Boulder, CO
Lowest Paying
$34,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), state pay-transparency job postings, and community submissions. Most ranges are anchored to BLS OES occupation wage percentiles and placed by seniority level (entry near the 25th, mid at the median, senior at the 75th); a minority of emerging roles retain a modeled estimate where BLS has no matching series. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated July 2026. Baseline derived from BLS SOC 43-6014. Full methodology.
The average Administrative Assistant salary in the United States is $46,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $38,000 at the 25th percentile to $56,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $63,000, while Boulder offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Industry and executive level supported are the strongest pay determinants.
Administrative Assistant salary by city.
Skills that increase Administrative Assistant pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Administrative Assistants based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $6,440 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$6,440 per year
≈ +$5,980 per year
≈ +$5,520 per year
≈ +$5,060 per year
≈ +$5,060 per year
≈ +$4,600 per year
≈ +$4,600 per year
≈ +$4,140 per year
What you should know.
Industry and executive level supported are the strongest pay determinants. Administrative assistants in legal, finance, and tech earn 15 to 25% more than those in education or nonprofit sectors. Proficiency with advanced tools like SAP, Concur, or project management software further boosts earning potential.
Entry-level administrative assistants earn $30,000 to $36,000. Experienced administrative assistants reach $40,000 to $50,000. Senior administrative assistants earn $48,000 to $58,000. The path upward leads to office manager ($52,000 to $70,000) or executive assistant ($60,000 to $92,000) roles.
Bonuses are modest, typically $1,000 to $3,000 annually. Benefits packages often carry significant value, especially at large corporations, including health insurance, retirement matching, and generous PTO. Overtime pay can add 10 to 15% to annual earnings.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Administrative Assistants typically earn $39,000 (15% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Administrative Assistant pay.
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