Reading the Administrative Assistant Wage Distribution
For Administrative Assistants, wage percentiles mark positions in the occupation’s wage distribution. They help you see where a wage sits relative to other workers’ wages, without describing a particular person’s pay. Half of workers earn between $38,830 and $58,000.
That middle portion offers a useful reference point for reading the distribution as a whole. A wage near one end of the distribution occupies a different position from one near the center, but each percentile remains a placement within the group. Use the distribution to frame expectations about where pay falls across Administrative Assistant jobs, with individual wages occupying positions within that distribution.
Why Administrative Assistant Pay Can Vary
Administrative assistant pay sits near the midpoint for occupations nationally, giving you a broad comparison point for interpreting this career’s wages. That position describes the occupation as a whole, while an individual offer may differ. Use the national comparison as context when considering a specific pay offer.
The wage estimates can help set expectations, but they do not explain why one administrative assistant earns more than another. No specific pay drivers can be tied to the variation here, so avoid assigning differences to a particular workplace or task. For a practical decision, use the national position as context and assess a specific offer on its own terms.
Geography and Administrative Assistant Pay
Pay differs somewhat between states: among available estimates for U.S. states and Washington, D.C., median pay is highest in Washington, D.C. at $59,910 and lowest in Mississippi at $37,340; the highest is about 1.6 times the lowest. For administrative assistants, this geographic spread means the work location matters when setting a practical pay expectation. A statewide estimate can give you a more relevant reference point than assuming the same pay level applies everywhere.
Use the estimate for the location tied to a role when comparing compensation. The state comparison describes differences in median pay, while an individual administrative assistant’s pay may sit elsewhere in that location’s wage distribution. These figures describe geographic pay patterns; they do not explain why states differ or predict compensation for a specific job.
How Much Do Secretary Administration Assistant Professionals Earn?
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,280 | 10th percentile |
| 25th | $38,830 | 25th percentile |
| 50th (Median) | $47,540 | 50th percentile |
| 75th | $58,000 | 75th percentile |
| 90th | $66,350 | 90th percentile |
Where Do Secretary Administration Assistant Professionals Earn the Most?
| State | Median Salary | vs Career Median |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,910 | +26.0% |
| Massachusetts | $57,940 | +21.9% |
| Washington | $57,330 | +20.6% |
| Connecticut | $57,210 | +20.3% |
| California | $55,400 | +16.5% |
| Rhode Island | $52,140 | +9.7% |
| Oregon | $51,740 | +8.8% |
| Minnesota | $51,400 | +8.1% |
| Hawaii | $50,830 | +6.9% |
| New Jersey | $50,260 | +5.7% |
Which Cities Pay Secretary Administration Assistant Professionals the Most?
| Metro Area | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $62,110 | 20,270 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $60,230 | 15,780 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $59,330 | 28,540 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $55,380 | 12,070 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $53,660 | 37,010 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $53,550 | 58,800 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $51,440 | 122,680 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $50,440 | 50,190 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $49,760 | 15,350 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $49,220 | 29,780 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: July 2026
Salary data available for 53 state-level areas and 15 metropolitan areas.