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Adminsitrative Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does an Adminsitrative Assistant make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Adminsitrative Assistant in the United States is $52,876 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, an Adminsitrative Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $64,771
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,729 to $59,102
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,043
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Adminsitrative Assistant Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Adminsitrative Assistant Salaries

An Adminsitrative Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Adminsitrative Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Adminsitrative Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $48,594
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $48,986
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $51,752
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $54,865
  • Expert (over 8 years): $56,335
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Adminsitrative Assistant less than 1 year $48,594
Early Career Level Adminsitrative Assistant 1-2 years $48,986
Mid-Level Level Adminsitrative Assistant 2-4 years $51,752
Senior-Level Level Adminsitrative Assistant 5-8 years $54,865
Expert Level Adminsitrative Assistant over 8 years $56,335

How Do Adminsitrative Assistant Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Adminsitrative Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $58,544.
  • California: $58,322.
  • Massachusetts: $57,545.

Top Paying Cities for Adminsitrative Assistant

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $66,692
  • San Francisco: $65,962
  • Oakland: $64,572

Adminsitrative Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Adminsitrative Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Adminsitrative Assistant positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Adminsitrative Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Adminsitrative Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $66,095 $32.0 25%
Internet $63,451 $31.0 20%
Software & Networking $63,451 $31.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $60,807 $29.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $58,164 $28.0 10%

How Education impacts an Adminsitrative Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Adminsitrative Assistant professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Adminsitrative Assistant with a high school is between $51,605 and $54,784.

Adminsitrative Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Adminsitrative Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1.2%
High School 35.1%
Associate's Degree 20.5%
Bachelor's Degree 39.2%
Master's Degree or MBA 3.9%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.1%
View as Graph

Adminsitrative Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Adminsitrative Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$47,729
Average $52,876/year
$59,102
$3,977
Average $4,406/month
$4,925
$918
Average $1,017/week
$1,137
$23
Average $25/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $59,102 $4,925 $1,137 $28
Average $52,876 $4,406 $1,017 $25
25th Percentile $47,729 $3,977 $918 $23

Most common benefits for Adminsitrative Assistant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Adminsitrative Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Adminsitrative Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Adminsitrative Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Adminsitrative Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Critical Infrastructure Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

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  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Mechanical Field Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    4 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about Adminsitrative Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Adminsitrative Assistant?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Adminsitrative Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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