Administrative Assistant.
Los Angeles.
$50,000
median salary, 19% above the national average
$40,000 to $64,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
Los Angeles is 18% more expensive than the national average. For Administrative Assistants, that shakes out to a median of $50,000, with the full range spanning $40,000 to $64,000. Industry and executive level supported are the strongest pay determinants. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
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How Los Angeles compares
Los Angeles, CA
$50,000
Cost of living: 18% above average
National Average
$42,000
Los Angeles is $8,000 above
What you should know
Here is what the Administrative Assistant market actually looks like in Los Angeles. Los Angeles blends a thriving entertainment industry with a growing tech and startup ecosystem, often called Silicon Beach. The city's diverse economy spans aerospace, healthcare, fashion, and gaming. LA offers strong salaries that, while below San Francisco levels, pair with a broader lifestyle appeal and lower housing costs relative to the Bay Area. 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. In Los Angeles, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 18% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. 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. And on the tax side: california's 13.3% top state income tax rate applies to LA earners as well. There is no city income tax, but the high state rate makes take home pay lower than cities in no income tax states. When someone quotes you $50,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight cross industry skills. LA employers value candidates who bridge entertainment and tech, so framing your experience across verticals can unlock higher offers. The range for Administrative Assistants in Los Angeles runs from $40,000 to $64,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Los Angeles
Negotiating in Los Angeles
Highlight cross industry skills. LA employers value candidates who bridge entertainment and tech, so framing your experience across verticals can unlock higher offers.