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

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$47,540median pay per year, or $22.86 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $33,280lowest 10% earn less
  2. $38,83025th percentile
  3. $47,540median
  4. $58,00075th percentile
  5. $66,350top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for an administrative assistant was $47,540 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects the job count to fall 6% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-6%[2]
Openings per year
163,900[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do administrative assistants make?

BLS files this work under Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive. In May 2025, the median was $47,540 a year, or $22.86 an hour[1]. The average was $49,350 a year, or $23.73 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[4].

Point in the range Annual Hourly
10th percentile[3][8] $33,280 $16.00
25th percentile[3][8] $38,830 $18.67
Median[1] $47,540 $22.86
75th percentile[3][8] $58,000 $27.89
90th percentile[3][8] $66,350 $31.90

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $33,280 a year, and the top 10% earned more than $66,350[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes no starting salary[9].

These figures cover wage and salary workers, part time and full time. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits[10].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median at $59,910[11]. Massachusetts ($57,940), Washington ($57,330) and Connecticut ($57,210) followed[11]. Mississippi had the lowest listed median at $37,340[11].

California had the most jobs at 158,630[12]. Texas (149,650), New York (122,490), Florida (104,000) and Illinois (74,280) came next[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, New Haven, CT had the highest median at $63,800[13]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($62,940) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($62,110) followed[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 122,680, with a median of $51,440[14].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[11]$59,91011,800
Massachusetts$57,94037,750
Washington$57,33031,710
Connecticut$57,21022,650
California$55,400158,630
Rhode Island$52,1405,200
Oregon$51,74023,150
Minnesota$51,40031,330
Hawaii$50,8307,020
New Jersey$50,26065,960
Maine$49,8206,740
New York$49,600122,490
Vermont$48,9203,360
Colorado$48,69029,120
Maryland$48,68054,890
Alaska$48,5305,390
Illinois$48,31074,280
New Hampshire$48,0809,050
Delaware$47,9706,320
Arizona$47,94031,220
Wisconsin$47,71028,100
Virginia$47,62031,580
North Dakota$47,4805,800
Utah$47,05014,870
Nebraska$46,76016,240
Nevada$46,57016,790
New Mexico$46,45025,430
Pennsylvania$46,27065,310
Ohio$46,23054,790
Michigan$46,02040,830
Florida$45,900104,000
Tennessee$45,81034,580
North Carolina$45,79043,690
Wyoming$45,4502,250
Iowa$45,15012,830
Texas$45,140149,650
South Carolina$44,88030,180
Indiana$44,27020,100
Kentucky$44,20018,420
Montana$43,9404,520
Idaho$43,7107,570
Missouri$43,54033,180
Kansas$42,27032,120
South Dakota$41,7006,120
Alabama$41,63045,050
Georgia$41,60044,430
West Virginia$40,3708,820
Oklahoma$39,66020,120
Louisiana$38,79028,040
Arkansas$37,6308,590
Mississippi$37,34014,720

How to become an administrative assistant

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, with no related work experience and short-term on-the-job training[6]. The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers a wider group of related jobs[15].

A bachelor's degree is typically not required, though some workers studied subjects like business, education or communications[19]. Some community colleges and technical schools offer courses in office procedures[20].

BLS names these useful qualities: decision-making, interpersonal, organizational and writing skills[21][22][23][24].

What administrative assistants do

O*NET describes the work as routine office tasks such as writing letters, scheduling appointments, keeping files and answering questions from callers[25]. Common tasks include:

Job titles that workers report include administrative assistant, office assistant, department secretary and administrative specialist[27].

Where they work

This work is found in nearly every industry[28]. Healthcare and social assistance was the largest employer group at 32%[29]. Most work in offices, and some work from home as virtual assistants[30]. Most work full time[31]. These workplace details also come from the profile covering a wider group[15].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 1,889,800 to 1,775,700 jobs[2]. For all occupations, BLS projects 3.5% growth[32]. BLS names technology, including artificial intelligence, as a factor: it helps with routine back office work such as preparing documents, scheduling and notetaking, so the share of jobs falls[33].

Still, about 163,900 openings are projected each year[5]. Openings include jobs that come open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 5% of workers leave the labor force and 4.5% move to a different occupation[34].

The OEWS count in May 2025 was about 1,706,790 jobs[35]. The projection count is higher. It comes from a different measure and includes self-employed workers[2].

Is it a good fit?

The median pay is a little below the all-occupations median[1][4]. The entry path is short: a high school diploma and a few weeks of training[6][18]. The trade-off is the outlook. Jobs are projected to fall 6%, though openings from turnover remain large[2][5]. The facts suggest it suits someone who wants a quick start and can adapt as technology changes the routine tasks[33].

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

Frequently asked questions

How much does an administrative assistant make an hour?
The median was $22.86 an hour in May 2025[1]. The middle half earned between $18.67 and $27.89[8].
What education do you need to be an administrative assistant?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[6].
How long does it take to learn the job?
BLS lists short-term on-the-job training[6]. A profile covering a wider group says it typically lasts a few weeks[18].
Are administrative assistant jobs in demand?
Employment is projected to fall 6% from 2025 to 2035, but about 163,900 openings a year are projected[2][5].
What is the highest paying state for administrative assistants?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $59,910[11]. Massachusetts was next at $57,940[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive in the US was $47,540 per year and $22.86 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive is projected to decline 6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 1,889,800 to 1,775,700 jobs (a change of -114,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: 10th percentile $33,280, 25th percentile $38,830, 75th percentile $58,000, 90th percentile $66,350. 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 163,900 openings for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive 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 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: 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 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive was $49,350 per year and $23.73 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: 10th percentile $16.00, 25th percentile $18.67, 75th percentile $27.89, 90th percentile $31.90. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. 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
  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. Median annual wage for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive jobs: California 158,630; Texas 149,650; New York 122,490; Florida 104,000; Illinois 74,280. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive (areas with at least 100 jobs): New Haven, CT $63,800; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $62,940; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,110; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $60,230; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $59,510; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $59,330; Napa, CA $58,810; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $57,720. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 122,680 (median $51,440); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 58,800 (median $53,550); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 50,190 (median $50,440); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 37,550 (median $47,450); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 37,010 (median $53,660); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 33,710 (median $46,750). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Secretaries and Administrative Assistants" covers Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. O*NET 43-6014.00 survey of workers (57 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 50%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 22%, Bachelor's Degree 11%, Some College Courses 10%, Post-Secondary Certificate 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 43-6014.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Administrative Assistant (Admin Assistant), Administrative Clerk, Administrative Secretary (Admin Secretary), Administrative Specialist (Admin Specialist), Administrative Support Assistant (ASA), Administrative Technician, Department Secretary, Office Assistant. O*NET OnLine
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of secretaries and administrative assistants in 2025: Healthcare and social assistance 32%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: Productivity change - share decreases as technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) systems, assists workers with routine back office functions, such as preparing documents, scheduling, and notetaking. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: 5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 1,706,790 people were employed as Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  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. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

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.