Secretaries and Administrative Assistant Salary in 2026
How Much Do Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Make?
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants earn a median annual salary of $46,290 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $31,600 at the 10th percentile to $64,150 at the 90th percentile — a range of $32,550. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $55,800.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,600 |
| 25th percentile | $37,770 |
| Median (50th) | $46,290 |
| 75th percentile | $55,650 |
| 90th percentile | $64,150 |
Secretaries and Administrative Assistant Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $55,800 |
| Connecticut | $55,690 |
| Washington | $54,560 |
| Massachusetts | $53,690 |
| California | $53,190 |
| Rhode Island | $51,500 |
| Hawaii | $50,580 |
| Oregon | $49,950 |
| Minnesota | $49,900 |
| New Jersey | $49,600 |
| New York | $49,200 |
| Illinois | $47,890 |
| Vermont | $47,590 |
| Colorado | $47,430 |
| Maine | $46,990 |
| Maryland | $46,800 |
| Delaware | $46,710 |
| Wisconsin | $46,540 |
| Alaska | $46,280 |
| New Hampshire | $46,150 |
| Virginia | $46,100 |
| Arizona | $46,020 |
| Nevada | $45,750 |
| North Dakota | $45,490 |
| Ohio | $45,420 |
| Utah | $45,150 |
| Michigan | $44,880 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,740 |
| Nebraska | $44,600 |
| Iowa | $44,000 |
| Florida | $43,650 |
| Wyoming | $43,480 |
| Tennessee | $43,370 |
| Texas | $43,350 |
| North Carolina | $43,010 |
| New Mexico | $42,960 |
| Montana | $41,720 |
| South Carolina | $41,720 |
| Kentucky | $41,600 |
| Indiana | $41,090 |
| Idaho | $40,850 |
| Missouri | $40,250 |
| Alabama | $40,200 |
| South Dakota | $39,710 |
| Georgia | $39,220 |
| Kansas | $39,000 |
| West Virginia | $38,730 |
| Oklahoma | $38,630 |
| Louisiana | $37,800 |
| Arkansas | $37,060 |
| Mississippi | $36,000 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Secretaries and Administrative Assistant Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$31,600 – $37,770 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$46,290 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$55,650 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $64,150+ |
How to Earn More as a Secretaries and Administrative Assistant
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in New Haven, CT earn $62,600 — $16,310 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($55,650) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Secretaries and Administrative Assistant Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistantthis career | $46,290 |
| Chief Executive | $206,420 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,390 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $72,910 |
| Management Analyst | $101,190 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Secretaries and Administrative Assistant requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 43-6014.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.