CareerFacts

All careers › Office Clerks, General

Office assistant: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$45,010median pay per year, or $21.64 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $30,310lowest 10% earn less
  2. $36,35025th percentile
  3. $45,010median
  4. $54,30075th percentile
  5. $64,680top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Office assistants, which BLS counts as general office clerks, earned a median of $45,010 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to decline 6% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-6%[2]
Openings per year
249,000[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do office assistants make?

The median wage for general office clerks was $45,010 a year, or $21.64 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $46,420 a year, or $22.32 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median was $50,980 a year[4].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $30,310 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $64,680[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages rather than a starting salary[8].

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[3][9] $30,310 $14.57
25th[3][9] $36,350 $17.48
Median[1] $45,010 $21.64
75th[3][9] $54,300 $26.11
90th[3][9] $64,680 $31.10

These figures cover wage and salary workers, part time and full time. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 2,464,940 people held these jobs[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 50 states and DC with published data, the District of Columbia had the highest median at $55,040[12]. Colorado ($53,550) and Alaska ($51,890) came next[12]. Alabama had the lowest median at $31,200[12].

The states with the most jobs were California (311,490), Texas (218,470), Florida (189,700), New York (134,280) and Pennsylvania (107,500)[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the highest medians were in Boulder, CO ($59,840), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($58,840) and Greeley, CO ($56,030)[14]. The metro areas with the most jobs were New York-Newark-Jersey City (136,580), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (112,270) and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (66,840)[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$55,0405,670
Colorado$53,55031,770
Alaska$51,8903,440
Washington$50,50049,050
North Dakota$50,1608,440
Massachusetts$49,94047,940
Oregon$49,91027,980
New Hampshire$49,02012,740
New Jersey$48,57065,130
California$48,460311,490
Vermont$48,3105,100
Connecticut$48,28023,190
Minnesota$47,84055,530
Rhode Island$47,8307,700
Maryland$47,27027,290
Montana$46,48010,390
Arizona$46,42052,710
Virginia$46,41066,550
New York$45,890134,280
Illinois$45,73095,980
Nevada$45,46020,430
Maine$45,30011,260
Wisconsin$44,98051,440
Pennsylvania$44,950107,500
Idaho$44,83020,790
Michigan$44,82088,030
Indiana$44,52058,480
Florida$44,450189,700
Iowa$44,31023,120
Utah$44,06036,470
Ohio$43,68089,310
Wyoming$42,8406,670
Delaware$42,7407,230
Missouri$42,37056,050
Hawaii$42,34012,930
North Carolina$41,77067,930
Georgia$40,59075,390
Texas$39,000218,470
Tennessee$38,86049,880
South Dakota$38,5601,720
Kentucky$37,87029,750
Nebraska$37,82010,000
Oklahoma$37,24031,870
New Mexico$37,13011,880
Arkansas$37,05029,940
South Carolina$36,84042,250
West Virginia$35,0209,430
Mississippi$34,90017,600
Louisiana$32,48031,790
Kansas$32,3702,130
Alabama$31,20013,130

How to become an office assistant

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education for entry. It lists no related work experience and short-term on-the-job training as typical[6].

In an O*NET survey of 75 workers, 41% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required, 36% said an associate's degree, 15% said some college courses and 7% said a post-secondary certificate[19]. Clerks may move up to roles with more responsibility, such as secretary or administrative assistant, and advancement often depends on work experience[20][21].

What office assistants do

The duties are varied and are set by each office. They may combine answering phones, bookkeeping, word processing, running office machines and filing[22]. Typical tasks include:

Job titles reported by workers include clerical assistant, general clerk and office assistant[24]. Useful traits include clear communication, attention to detail, courtesy and organization[25][26][27][28].

Where they work

General office clerks work in nearly every industry, usually in office settings[29]. Educational services (state, local and private) was the largest employer, at 14% in 2025[30]. Most work full time, though part-time work is common[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of general office clerks to fall 6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 2,600,000 to 2,443,700 jobs[2]. These counts include self-employed workers, who were 0.7% of the total in 2025[32]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[33]. BLS ties the decline to technology, including artificial intelligence and electronic filing, taking over some clerical work[34].

Even so, about 249,000 openings are projected each year on average[5]. Openings come from new jobs and also from workers who retire or move to other occupations[5]. Each year, 5.1% of workers leave the labor force and 5.4% move to a different occupation[35].

Is it a good fit?

The entry bar is low. A high school diploma is typical and training usually lasts up to a month[6][18]. The median pay is below the all-occupations median, and employment is projected to shrink[1][4][2]. About 249,000 openings are still projected each year[5]. People who like varied clerical work, phones and record keeping may find the tasks a match[23].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an office assistant make an hour?
The median wage for general office clerks was $21.64 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $22.32[1][7].
What education do you need to be an office assistant?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[6].
How long does it take to learn the job?
Training typically lasts up to 1 month[18].
Is office clerk work in demand?
Employment is projected to decline 6% from 2025 to 2035, but about 249,000 openings are projected each year[2][5].
What is the highest paying state for office assistants?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $55,040 a year[12]. Among the 50 states, Colorado is first at $53,550[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Office Clerks, General in the US was $45,010 per year and $21.64 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Office Clerks, General is projected to decline 6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 2,600,000 to 2,443,700 jobs (a change of -156,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Office Clerks, General: 10th percentile $30,310, 25th percentile $36,350, 75th percentile $54,300, 90th percentile $64,680. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 249,000 openings for Office Clerks, General are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Office Clerks, General: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Office Clerks, General was $46,420 per year and $22.32 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Office Clerks, General: 10th percentile $14.57, 25th percentile $17.48, 75th percentile $26.11, 90th percentile $31.10. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 2,464,940 people were employed as Office Clerks, General in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Office Clerks, General in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Office Clerks, General jobs: California 311,490; Texas 218,470; Florida 189,700; New York 134,280; Pennsylvania 107,500. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Office Clerks, General (areas with at least 100 jobs): Boulder, CO $59,840; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $58,840; Greeley, CO $56,030; Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $55,960; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $55,620; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $53,990; Anchorage, AK $53,550; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $53,290. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Office Clerks, General jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 136,580 (median $47,670); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 112,270 (median $48,100); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 66,840 (median $46,330); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 61,160 (median $44,730); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 52,740 (median $44,060); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 50,040 (median $40,370). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. O*NET 43-9061.00 survey of workers (75 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 41%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 36%, Some College Courses 15%, Post-Secondary Certificate 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET description of Office Clerks, General. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET task list for Office Clerks, General. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET 43-9061.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Administrative Clerk (Admin Clerk), Clerical Aide, Clerical Assistant, Clerk, General Clerk, Office Assistant, Office Clerk, Office Services Specialist. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of general office clerks in 2025: Educational services; state, local, and private 14%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: 0.7% of Office Clerks, General were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Office Clerks, General: Productivity change - share decreases as increased use of technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and electronic filing systems, automate some clerical functions and reduce the need for individuals to perform these duties. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Office Clerks, General: 5.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.