392 metro areas

Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Salary by City (2026)

Secretaries and administrative assistants earn the most in San Jose, CA, an average of $66,410 a year, against $49,350 nationally. After local prices, pay goes furthest in New Haven, CT ($60,560 in national-average dollars). Every metro area with its own BLS estimate is ranked below.

US average (mean): $49,350BLS OEWS, May 2025
Highest-paying city: $66,410San Jose, CA
Best after cost of living: $60,560New Haven, CT
Metro areas: 392With their own estimate

Top cities

Highest-paying cities for secretaries and administrative assistants

Mean annual wage

Top 10 metro areas

San Jose, CA$66,410
San Francisco, CA$66,100
New Haven, CT$63,320
Seattle, WA$61,610
Bridgeport, CT$60,260
Bremerton, WA$60,090
Napa, CA$59,840
Santa Rosa, CA$59,530
Boston, MA-NH$59,400
Santa Cruz, CA$58,470

Top 10 metro areas by mean wage for secretaries and administrative assistants
Item	Value
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$66,410
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$66,100
New Haven, CT	$63,320
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$61,610
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$60,260
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$60,090
Napa, CA	$59,840
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$59,530
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$59,400
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$58,470

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025

At national-average prices

Mean wage ÷ BEA price level

New Haven, CT$63,320 nominal$60,560
San Jose, CA$66,410 nominal$60,140
Rochester, MN$53,410 nominal$58,810
Bloomington, IL$54,160 nominal$57,900
St. Cloud, MN$50,560 nominal$57,700
Longview, WA$55,970 nominal$57,380
San Francisco, CA$66,100 nominal$57,170
Barnstable Town, MA$56,200 nominal$57,140
Bremerton, WA$60,090 nominal$56,900
Mankato, MN$51,580 nominal$56,710

Top 10 metro areas by price-adjusted mean wage for secretaries and administrative assistants
Item	Value
New Haven, CT	$60,560
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$60,140
Rochester, MN	$58,810
Bloomington, IL	$57,900
St. Cloud, MN	$57,700
Longview-Kelso, WA	$57,380
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$57,170
Barnstable Town, MA	$57,140
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$56,900
Mankato, MN	$56,710

Source: BLS OEWS 2025 · BEA RPP 2024

Every city

Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salary in every metro area

Mean annual wage, with the Department of Labor's entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) prevailing-wage benchmarks for the same metro, and the mean at national-average prices. Sorted by mean pay.

Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive pay in every metro area with a BLS estimate
#	Metro area	Mean	Entry (Level I)	Experienced (Level IV)	At US prices
1	San Jose, CA	$66,410	$48,630	$75,170	$60,140
2	San Francisco, CA	$66,100	$47,200	$75,420	$57,170
3	New Haven, CT	$63,320	$46,160	$71,780	$60,560
4	Seattle, WA	$61,610	$47,510	$68,560	$55,440
5	Bridgeport, CT	$60,260	$44,760	$67,910	$56,390
6	Bremerton, WA	$60,090	$46,590	$66,750	$56,900
7	Napa, CA	$59,840	$44,910	$67,200	$53,170
8	Santa Rosa, CA	$59,530	$44,280	$67,040	$55,230
9	Boston, MA-NH	$59,400	$44,550	$66,710	$54,860
10	Santa Cruz, CA	$58,470	$42,120	$66,520	$53,200
11	Salinas, CA	$57,800	$43,100	$65,040	$53,010
12	Vallejo, CA	$57,740	$43,040	$65,000	$53,230
13	Mount Vernon, WA	$56,870	$44,660	$62,880	$55,510
14	Oxnard, CA	$56,800	$41,930	$64,150	$51,390
15	San Diego, CA	$56,800	$42,830	$63,690	$50,770
16	Portland, OR-WA	$56,780	$43,310	$63,440	$53,860
17	Hartford, CT	$56,510	$42,620	$63,360	$55,000
18	Olympia, WA	$56,470	$45,800	$61,710	$54,470
19	Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV	$56,410	$40,500	$64,230	$51,810
20	Kahului, HI	$56,370	$42,830	$63,040	$51,530
21	Los Angeles, CA	$56,330	$40,160	$64,270	$49,600
22	Sacramento, CA	$56,280	$42,520	$63,090	$52,760
23	Barnstable Town, MA	$56,200	$43,240	$62,610	$57,140
24	Longview, WA	$55,970	$44,260	$61,730	$57,380
25	Norwich, CT	$55,870	$42,450	$62,460	$55,620
26	Kennewick, WA	$55,700	$45,260	$60,840	$55,660
27	Visalia, CA	$55,470	$40,680	$62,770	$55,570
28	Trenton, NJ	$55,390	$40,830	$62,570	$53,680
29	Stockton, CA	$55,220	$41,850	$61,800	$52,550
30	Santa Maria, CA	$55,180	$40,640	$62,340	$50,720
31	Salem, OR	$55,060	$42,350	$61,300	$53,120
32	Riverside, CA	$54,970	$41,140	$61,800	$51,640
33	Modesto, CA	$54,790	$42,370	$60,920	$52,630
34	Minneapolis, MN-WI	$54,750	$42,080	$60,960	$52,230
35	Chicago, IL-IN	$54,620	$37,670	$62,980	$52,720
36	Bellingham, WA	$54,480	$44,120	$59,570	$52,720
37	Hanford, CA	$54,480	$41,540	$60,840	$53,620
38	Worcester, MA	$54,330	$42,740	$60,030	$52,990
39	Portland, ME	$54,250	$43,510	$59,530	$53,260
40	Bloomington, IL	$54,160	$37,440	$62,400	$57,900
41	Merced, CA	$54,020	$40,440	$60,720	$54,970
42	Santa Fe, NM	$53,870	$39,440	$61,010	$54,540
43	Springfield, MA	$53,580	$40,270	$60,150	$55,780
44	Providence, RI-MA	$53,440	$40,190	$59,970	$52,510
45	Rochester, MN	$53,410	$40,040	$60,010	$58,810
46	Yuba City, CA	$53,390	$40,850	$59,550	$51,220
47	Waterbury, CT	$53,370	$42,060	$58,950	$53,490
48	New York, NY-NJ	$53,310	$40,580	$59,570	$47,360
49	Pittsfield, MA	$53,210	$42,140	$58,660	$55,950
50	Wenatchee, WA	$53,160	$43,910	$57,720	$51,190
51	Bakersfield, CA	$53,140	$40,520	$59,360	$52,670
52	San Luis Obispo, CA	$53,000	$40,160	$59,320	$48,800
53	Yakima, WA	$52,830	$43,620	$57,370	$55,290
54	Redding, CA	$52,750	$39,830	$59,110	$52,390
55	Boulder, CO	$52,730	$37,670	$60,150	$50,120
56	El Centro, CA	$52,670	$39,790	$58,990	$55,340
57	Denver, CO	$52,540	$41,160	$58,140	$49,670
58	Fresno, CA	$52,440	$40,370	$58,390	$51,330
59	Madison, WI	$52,350	$40,830	$58,030	$53,810
60	Urban Honolulu, HI	$52,100	$40,160	$57,990	$46,950
61	Charlottesville, VA	$52,020	$39,600	$58,140	$52,470
62	Phoenix, AZ	$52,000	$39,400	$58,220	$50,330
63	Walla Walla, WA	$51,980	$42,870	$56,470	$52,760
64	Spokane, WA	$51,790	$42,470	$56,390	$51,610
65	Chico, CA	$51,710	$38,750	$58,070	$51,100
66	Midland, MI	$51,710	$36,670	$59,130	$56,250
67	Amherst Town, MA	$51,630	$38,420	$58,120	$51,500
68	Mankato, MN	$51,580	$40,600	$56,990	$56,710
69	Ann Arbor, MI	$51,440	$39,250	$57,430	$50,990
70	Corvallis, OR	$51,440	$39,460	$57,350	$49,450
71	Burlington, VT	$51,400	$41,600	$56,240	$50,920
72	Champaign, IL	$51,270	$35,960	$58,800	$55,310
73	Springfield, IL	$51,130	$36,670	$58,240	$55,130
74	Carson City, NV	$51,040	$40,870	$56,060	$52,010
75	Lexington Park, MD	$51,040	$37,560	$57,660	$50,660
76	Baltimore, MD	$50,980	$38,380	$57,200	$48,790
77	Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$50,960	$36,610	$58,030	$53,430
78	Albany, NY	$50,920	$40,020	$56,260	$51,140
79	Bend, OR	$50,840	$39,730	$56,310	$49,070
80	Lansing, MI	$50,750	$37,710	$57,180	$53,430
81	St. Cloud, MN	$50,560	$39,500	$56,010	$57,700
82	Eugene, OR	$50,360	$39,580	$55,660	$49,580
83	Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$50,270	$37,270	$56,700	$49,020
84	Kingston, NY	$50,190	$39,230	$55,580	$49,840
85	Syracuse, NY	$50,110	$39,920	$55,120	$52,340
86	Lewiston, ME	$50,020	$40,850	$54,540	$52,800
87	Kenosha, WI	$49,960	$39,120	$55,310	$49,410
88	Omaha, NE-IA	$49,940	$39,120	$55,270	$54,340
89	Nashville, TN	$49,880	$35,940	$56,760	$51,780
90	Milwaukee, WI	$49,770	$38,580	$55,290	$51,340
91	Raleigh, NC	$49,770	$36,770	$56,180	$50,700
92	Detroit, MI	$49,730	$36,300	$56,370	$49,580
93	Ithaca, NY	$49,730	$40,330	$54,370	$48,130
94	Medford, OR	$49,670	$39,620	$54,640	$48,970
95	Fairbanks, AK	$49,650	$36,340	$56,200	$48,110
96	Greeley, CO	$49,590	$39,150	$54,720	$49,500
97	Vineland, NJ	$49,550	$36,500	$55,950	$51,630
98	Albany, OR	$49,360	$38,540	$54,680	$48,340
99	Reno, NV	$49,360	$37,500	$55,200	$48,860
100	Kiryas Joel, NY	$49,300	$39,350	$54,180	$45,050
101	Naples, FL	$49,280	$36,800	$55,430	$47,750
102	Midland, TX	$49,250	$35,550	$56,010	$51,420
103	Salt Lake City, UT	$49,250	$35,340	$56,120	$48,830
104	Manchester, NH	$48,980	$35,860	$55,450	$46,360
105	Rockford, IL	$48,960	$36,230	$55,220	$53,130
106	Appleton, WI	$48,940	$38,310	$54,160	$52,950
107	Austin, TX	$48,920	$35,090	$55,740	$49,880
108	Green Bay, WI	$48,920	$39,580	$53,520	$52,550
109	Durham, NC	$48,900	$36,280	$55,100	$50,120
110	Des Moines, IA	$48,690	$36,320	$54,790	$53,100
111	Bangor, ME	$48,610	$40,310	$52,690	$50,370
112	Columbus, OH	$48,610	$36,190	$54,720	$50,920
113	Grand Forks, ND-MN	$48,570	$37,610	$53,980	$56,040
114	Miami, FL	$48,550	$35,980	$54,750	$42,530
115	Grants Pass, OR	$48,530	$38,560	$53,410	$49,640
116	Richmond, VA	$48,460	$35,800	$54,680	$49,520
117	Atlantic City, NJ	$48,440	$36,070	$54,540	$49,000
118	Peoria, IL	$48,420	$35,730	$54,680	$53,070
119	Lincoln, NE	$48,380	$38,560	$53,210	$52,830
120	Anchorage, AK	$48,340	$35,920	$54,450	$45,850
121	Dallas, TX	$48,260	$34,530	$55,040	$46,810
122	Racine, WI	$48,240	$38,630	$52,980	$50,270
123	Ames, IA	$48,190	$36,820	$53,810	$54,250
124	North Port, FL	$48,190	$35,800	$54,290	$47,050
125	Duluth, MN-WI	$48,170	$36,520	$53,910	$54,270
126	Rochester, NY	$48,090	$37,770	$53,160	$49,560
127	Eau Claire, WI	$48,070	$37,860	$53,100	$51,800
128	Oshkosh, WI	$48,070	$38,400	$52,810	$51,730
129	Albuquerque, NM	$48,030	$36,050	$53,910	$50,270
130	Iowa City, IA	$48,010	$35,320	$54,250	$52,460
131	Sheboygan, WI	$48,010	$38,130	$52,890	$51,070
132	Allentown, PA-NJ	$47,990	$36,050	$53,870	$48,010
133	Fort Collins, CO	$47,990	$38,190	$52,790	$47,450
134	Bismarck, ND	$47,960	$36,800	$53,460	$52,690
135	Buffalo, NY	$47,960	$37,360	$53,210	$50,040
136	Flagstaff, AZ	$47,920	$38,850	$52,370	$47,760
137	Wausau, WI	$47,840	$38,360	$52,500	$51,630
138	Jackson, MI	$47,820	$35,710	$53,790	$52,100
139	La Crosse, WI-MN	$47,740	$37,790	$52,620	$52,020
140	Toledo, OH	$47,610	$35,610	$53,500	$52,060
141	Colorado Springs, CO	$47,550	$37,150	$52,670	$47,220
142	Jacksonville, FL	$47,550	$35,440	$53,520	$47,800
143	Lewiston, ID-WA	$47,550	$36,400	$53,020	$52,160
144	Harrisburg, PA	$47,530	$35,710	$53,350	$48,180
145	Lexington, KY	$47,510	$35,320	$53,520	$51,150
146	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$47,490	$35,380	$53,460	$51,020
147	Houston, TX	$47,470	$32,090	$55,040	$48,130
148	Akron, OH	$47,440	$35,590	$53,290	$50,810
149	Glens Falls, NY	$47,420	$37,020	$52,540	$49,990
150	Janesville, WI	$47,420	$37,750	$52,190	$50,610
151	Dayton, OH	$47,400	$35,070	$53,480	$51,140
152	Charleston, SC	$47,380	$33,300	$54,310	$46,930
153	Binghamton, NY	$47,360	$36,440	$52,750	$51,000
154	Decatur, IL	$47,360	$36,110	$52,890	$53,560
155	Hilton Head Island, SC	$47,320	$33,680	$54,060	$48,280
156	Cleveland, OH	$47,220	$34,720	$53,370	$50,280
157	Kansas City, MO-KS	$47,220	$35,010	$53,250	$51,020
158	Las Vegas, NV	$47,220	$35,280	$53,080	$47,120
159	St. Louis, MO-IL	$47,170	$35,110	$53,120	$49,610
160	Watertown, NY	$47,130	$36,630	$52,290	$53,750
161	Dubuque, IA	$47,070	$35,840	$52,600	$53,900
162	Pueblo, CO	$47,050	$36,030	$52,480	$51,270
163	Charlotte, NC-SC	$47,030	$33,450	$53,730	$48,310
164	Virginia Beach, VA-NC	$47,030	$35,420	$52,750	$48,020
165	Kankakee, IL	$47,010	$35,070	$52,890	$48,770
166	Davenport, IA-IL	$46,990	$34,670	$53,040	$52,750
167	Salisbury, MD	$46,990	$36,360	$52,210	$49,140
168	Utica, NY	$46,970	$37,020	$51,850	$50,680
169	Waterloo, IA	$46,970	$35,730	$52,520	$53,950
170	Ogden, UT	$46,950	$32,430	$54,100	$46,790
171	Wildwood, FL	$46,900	$34,650	$52,960	$54,900
172	Dover, DE	$46,840	$36,550	$51,900	$48,040
173	Casper, WY	$46,820	$35,240	$52,520	$49,900
174	Lafayette, IN	$46,800	$34,110	$53,040	$50,090
175	Wilmington, NC	$46,780	$35,070	$52,560	$48,520
176	Indianapolis, IN	$46,680	$34,590	$52,640	$48,780
177	Minot, ND	$46,680	$33,970	$52,940	$53,640
178	Monroe, MI	$46,650	$35,240	$52,270	$49,900
179	Grand Rapids, MI	$46,550	$35,300	$52,100	$48,720
180	Cape Coral, FL	$46,510	$34,420	$52,480	$45,440
181	Winston, NC	$46,490	$34,110	$52,580	$50,510
182	Fargo, ND-MN	$46,470	$35,710	$51,770	$51,140
183	Provo, UT	$46,470	$33,030	$53,100	$47,310
184	Bozeman, MT	$46,450	$34,860	$52,150	$45,310
185	Grand Junction, CO	$46,400	$37,750	$50,690	$48,600
186	Huntsville, AL	$46,400	$33,590	$52,730	$49,850
187	Palm Bay, FL	$46,400	$35,090	$52,000	$46,400
188	Staunton, VA	$46,340	$34,340	$52,250	$50,850
189	Winchester, VA-WV	$46,320	$35,280	$51,750	$48,020
190	Coeur d'Alene, ID	$46,280	$34,690	$52,000	$47,080
191	Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$46,240	$31,970	$53,270	$50,160
192	State College, PA	$46,180	$34,780	$51,810	$47,730
193	Columbia, SC	$46,160	$33,200	$52,540	$49,280
194	Knoxville, TN	$46,130	$32,050	$53,080	$49,830
195	Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	$46,130	$35,420	$51,420	$53,360
196	Muskegon, MI	$46,090	$34,920	$51,600	$49,820
197	Crestview, FL	$46,050	$35,340	$51,330	$47,460
198	Fond du Lac, WI	$46,030	$36,550	$50,710	$50,230
199	Tucson, AZ	$46,030	$35,840	$51,040	$47,500
200	Grand Island, NE	$45,990	$36,150	$50,840	$53,070
201	Atlanta, GA	$45,970	$30,140	$53,750	$45,940
202	Orlando, FL	$45,950	$34,880	$51,400	$45,310
203	Sandusky, OH	$45,930	$33,630	$52,000	$51,440
204	Helena, MT	$45,860	$35,650	$50,900	$47,930
205	Lima, OH	$45,820	$33,740	$51,770	$51,100
206	Greensboro, NC	$45,760	$33,800	$51,650	$49,280
207	Greenville, SC	$45,760	$32,140	$52,460	$49,070
208	Blacksburg, VA	$45,700	$34,070	$51,440	$49,290
209	Cedar Rapids, IA	$45,700	$36,000	$50,460	$51,370
210	Battle Creek, MI	$45,680	$34,740	$51,080	$50,450
211	Boise City, ID	$45,570	$34,360	$51,110	$46,320
212	Lancaster, PA	$45,570	$33,800	$51,380	$46,380
213	Harrisonburg, VA	$45,530	$35,360	$50,540	$47,980
214	Roanoke, VA	$45,510	$33,650	$51,360	$48,610
215	Odessa, TX	$45,490	$31,800	$52,250	$48,450
216	Sebastian, FL	$45,470	$33,630	$51,310	$46,250
217	Port St. Lucie, FL	$45,410	$34,220	$50,940	$45,310
218	Reading, PA	$45,410	$33,430	$51,290	$46,790
219	Prescott Valley, AZ	$45,390	$35,380	$50,290	$46,200
220	Saginaw, MI	$45,390	$33,950	$51,020	$49,940
221	Chambersburg, PA	$45,300	$33,090	$51,330	$47,860
222	Springfield, MO	$45,280	$33,240	$51,210	$51,110
223	Farmington, NM	$45,160	$34,470	$50,420	$51,490
224	Pittsburgh, PA	$45,160	$32,780	$51,250	$47,700
225	York, PA	$45,140	$33,700	$50,770	$47,020
226	Elmira, NY	$45,120	$37,000	$49,110	$47,800
227	Asheville, NC	$45,070	$33,630	$50,710	$46,700
228	Birmingham, AL	$45,030	$33,030	$50,920	$49,140
229	Lake Havasu City, AZ	$45,010	$35,300	$49,820	$47,830
230	Bay City, MI	$44,990	$32,990	$50,900	$48,940
231	Kalamazoo, MI	$44,970	$34,860	$49,960	$47,420
232	Pensacola, FL	$44,930	$33,880	$50,380	$45,980
233	Panama City, FL	$44,700	$33,900	$50,000	$45,940
234	Springfield, OH	$44,700	$33,300	$50,320	$49,400
235	Flint, MI	$44,660	$33,490	$50,150	$48,000
236	Billings, MT	$44,620	$35,150	$49,300	$47,710
237	Greenville, NC	$44,620	$32,260	$50,710	$50,470
238	Spartanburg, SC	$44,620	$32,390	$50,630	$49,010
239	Traverse City, MI	$44,620	$34,150	$49,770	$47,790
240	Hagerstown, MD-WV	$44,600	$33,920	$49,860	$47,360
241	Columbus, IN	$44,550	$32,760	$50,360	$47,900
242	Lebanon, PA	$44,550	$33,380	$50,040	$47,790
243	Rocky Mount, NC	$44,530	$32,720	$50,360	$50,600
244	Evansville, IN	$44,490	$33,380	$49,960	$48,610
245	Burlington, NC	$44,450	$33,860	$49,650	$47,700
246	Logan, UT-ID	$44,450	$31,350	$50,920	$46,340
247	San Antonio, TX	$44,450	$31,050	$51,060	$46,930
248	Waco, TX	$44,260	$31,220	$50,690	$47,820
249	Punta Gorda, FL	$44,240	$34,690	$48,960	$44,010
250	Decatur, AL	$44,220	$32,220	$50,150	$50,700
251	Niles, MI	$44,220	$33,510	$49,500	$47,870
252	Scranton, PA	$44,200	$33,030	$49,690	$47,240
253	Canton, OH	$44,050	$31,840	$50,070	$49,270
254	Charleston, WV	$44,030	$32,550	$49,690	$49,630
255	Fort Wayne, IN	$44,030	$31,240	$50,360	$47,560
256	Columbia, MO	$44,010	$33,760	$49,070	$49,210
257	Beaumont, TX	$43,950	$30,640	$50,500	$48,810
258	Gettysburg, PA	$43,950	$33,630	$49,050	$46,080
259	Mansfield, OH	$43,950	$31,840	$49,900	$49,450
260	Corpus Christi, TX	$43,930	$31,410	$50,110	$47,400
261	Yuma, AZ	$43,910	$35,110	$48,260	$47,360
262	Sierra Vista, AZ	$43,890	$34,610	$48,460	$49,180
263	Sherman, TX	$43,830	$30,680	$50,290	$46,740
264	Mobile, AL	$43,780	$32,700	$49,230	$49,690
265	St. Joseph, MO-KS	$43,780	$33,840	$48,690	$50,680
266	Killeen, TX	$43,760	$31,410	$49,860	$48,020
267	Savannah, GA	$43,760	$28,330	$51,380	$45,960
268	Clarksville, TN-KY	$43,740	$31,680	$49,670	$48,090
269	Deltona, FL	$43,720	$32,820	$49,090	$44,000
270	Hickory, NC	$43,720	$33,240	$48,900	$49,410
271	Bloomington, IN	$43,700	$31,680	$49,610	$45,960
272	Elkhart, IN	$43,680	$32,800	$49,050	$48,360
273	Lakeland, FL	$43,680	$32,640	$49,110	$44,970
274	Fayetteville, NC	$43,660	$32,320	$49,230	$47,470
275	Lawrence, KS	$43,660	$32,390	$49,210	$48,380
276	St. George, UT	$43,640	$30,830	$49,940	$44,840
277	Chattanooga, TN-GA	$43,580	$30,260	$50,130	$47,650
278	Kokomo, IN	$43,580	$34,200	$48,190	$48,610
279	Jefferson City, MO	$43,560	$35,530	$47,510	$49,510
280	New Orleans, LA	$43,470	$30,680	$49,770	$46,950
281	Elizabethtown, KY	$43,370	$31,950	$49,000	$47,880
282	Lynchburg, VA	$43,370	$32,680	$48,630	$48,530
283	Jackson, TN	$43,350	$30,660	$49,590	$50,690
284	Las Cruces, NM	$43,350	$33,680	$48,110	$48,050
285	Michigan City, IN	$43,350	$32,320	$48,780	$47,280
286	Gainesville, FL	$43,330	$34,280	$47,780	$44,790
287	Augusta, GA-SC	$43,280	$28,350	$50,650	$47,090
288	Fayetteville, AR	$43,260	$31,760	$48,940	$47,350
289	Myrtle Beach, SC	$43,180	$30,100	$49,630	$46,110
290	Morgantown, WV	$43,140	$31,990	$48,650	$46,230
291	Victoria, TX	$43,140	$30,240	$49,480	$48,020
292	Wichita, KS	$43,040	$31,700	$48,630	$48,390
293	Wheeling, WV-OH	$42,990	$31,350	$48,730	$48,670
294	Williamsport, PA	$42,970	$31,870	$48,440	$46,530
295	Florence, SC	$42,950	$29,180	$49,710	$49,500
296	Great Falls, MT	$42,910	$32,840	$47,860	$44,310
297	Oklahoma City, OK	$42,870	$30,370	$49,030	$47,420
298	Paducah, KY-IL	$42,790	$31,550	$48,320	$49,710
299	Erie, PA	$42,720	$31,780	$48,110	$46,970
300	Longview, TX	$42,700	$29,410	$49,250	$47,720
301	Tulsa, OK	$42,700	$30,200	$48,860	$47,860
302	Owensboro, KY	$42,640	$32,950	$47,420	$48,120
303	Tyler, TX	$42,620	$30,330	$48,690	$46,250
304	Youngstown, OH	$42,600	$31,600	$48,010	$48,740
305	Missoula, MT	$42,580	$32,430	$47,570	$44,150
306	Pinehurst, NC	$42,560	$31,100	$48,210	$48,180
307	Tallahassee, FL	$42,520	$33,360	$47,030	$45,270
308	Kingsport, TN-VA	$42,470	$30,560	$48,320	$49,130
309	Pocatello, ID	$42,470	$31,930	$47,670	$47,770
310	Rapid City, SD	$42,470	$33,550	$46,860	$47,630
311	South Bend, IN-MI	$42,430	$33,550	$46,800	$45,690
312	Goldsboro, NC	$42,390	$32,320	$47,360	$47,920
313	Tuscaloosa, AL	$42,330	$30,720	$48,050	$48,250
314	Morristown, TN	$42,240	$30,100	$48,240	$48,910
315	Sioux Falls, SD-MN	$42,240	$32,740	$46,950	$46,610
316	Ocala, FL	$42,160	$32,880	$46,760	$44,270
317	Muncie, IN	$42,120	$33,760	$46,260	$47,780
318	Baton Rouge, LA	$42,100	$30,410	$47,860	$46,380
319	Montgomery, AL	$42,100	$30,910	$47,610	$46,940
320	Johnson City, TN	$42,080	$30,370	$47,860	$47,860
321	Weirton, WV-OH	$42,060	$30,600	$47,690	$47,250
322	Auburn, AL	$42,020	$30,470	$47,690	$47,790
323	Daphne, AL	$41,970	$31,410	$47,200	$44,320
324	Cleveland, TN	$41,930	$29,080	$48,260	$47,600
325	Jacksonville, NC	$41,890	$31,970	$46,760	$45,490
326	College Station, TX	$41,870	$30,260	$47,570	$46,040
327	Topeka, KS	$41,770	$31,550	$46,780	$47,030
328	Homosassa Springs, FL	$41,750	$32,950	$46,070	$44,670
329	Abilene, TX	$41,620	$29,390	$47,630	$46,060
330	San Angelo, TX	$41,600	$29,830	$47,400	$45,000
331	Lubbock, TX	$41,560	$28,680	$47,900	$45,510
332	Terre Haute, IN	$41,540	$31,160	$46,650	$47,310
333	Jackson, MS	$41,500	$29,370	$47,490	$46,600
334	Parkersburg, WV	$41,480	$30,700	$46,780	$47,640
335	Joplin, MO-KS	$41,450	$31,820	$46,220	$48,360
336	Warner Robins, GA	$41,370	$26,750	$48,590	$44,110
337	Amarillo, TX	$41,310	$29,120	$47,300	$44,990
338	Sebring, FL	$41,270	$32,720	$45,490	$44,630
339	Sumter, SC	$41,270	$27,480	$48,070	$46,890
340	Little Rock, AR	$41,080	$29,790	$46,630	$45,970
341	Hinesville, GA	$41,020	$26,620	$48,110	$43,670
342	Dothan, AL	$41,000	$30,120	$46,340	$48,910
343	Bowling Green, KY	$40,980	$31,800	$45,490	$45,440
344	Cheyenne, WY	$40,980	$30,720	$46,030	$42,470
345	Idaho Falls, ID	$40,910	$29,020	$46,780	$43,330
346	Twin Falls, ID	$40,910	$29,810	$46,380	$44,420
347	Gainesville, GA	$40,870	$26,020	$48,190	$42,240
348	Huntington, WV-KY-OH	$40,830	$30,080	$46,110	$46,180
349	Anniston, AL	$40,790	$29,490	$46,340	$47,460
350	Lake Charles, LA	$40,770	$28,000	$47,050	$47,490
351	Beckley, WV	$40,730	$29,990	$46,010	$46,090
352	Brownsville, TX	$40,710	$28,560	$46,700	$47,350
353	El Paso, TX	$40,680	$29,080	$46,400	$45,240
354	Florence, AL	$40,640	$29,310	$46,220	$47,910
355	Wichita Falls, TX	$40,480	$28,370	$46,450	$45,220
356	Gadsden, AL	$40,440	$29,220	$45,950	$47,210
357	Manhattan, KS	$40,390	$29,350	$45,820	$44,800
358	Altoona, PA	$40,330	$28,790	$46,010	$45,060
359	Johnstown, PA	$40,330	$30,450	$45,200	$46,930
360	Macon, GA	$40,250	$27,370	$46,590	$45,470
361	Slidell, LA	$40,250	$29,700	$45,430	$43,410
362	Gulfport, MS	$40,230	$28,390	$46,050	$44,700
363	McAllen, TX	$40,140	$28,680	$45,780	$46,730
364	Texarkana, TX-AR	$39,770	$28,750	$45,200	$47,340
365	Shreveport, LA	$39,750	$28,770	$45,160	$46,890
366	Columbus, GA-AL	$39,640	$26,480	$46,130	$44,390
367	Rome, GA	$39,460	$26,790	$45,700	$43,770
368	Cape Girardeau, MO-IL	$39,120	$30,930	$43,160	$45,450
369	Lafayette, LA	$39,060	$27,710	$44,640	$44,790
370	Enid, OK	$38,980	$27,600	$44,570	$46,260
371	Athens, GA	$38,880	$26,830	$44,800	$41,650
372	Dalton, GA	$38,880	$26,750	$44,840	$43,280
373	Fort Smith, AR-OK	$38,880	$29,390	$43,560	$45,270
374	Jonesboro, AR	$38,880	$29,140	$43,660	$45,270
375	Lawton, OK	$38,770	$26,940	$44,600	$45,110
376	Laredo, TX	$38,730	$27,270	$44,390	$44,540
377	Albany, GA	$38,480	$26,000	$44,640	$43,890
378	Eagle Pass, TX	$38,330	$26,500	$44,160	$45,740
379	Monroe, LA	$38,310	$27,370	$43,700	$45,830
380	Hattiesburg, MS	$38,250	$27,660	$43,470	$43,650
381	Valdosta, GA	$38,060	$25,630	$44,180	$43,120
382	Houma, LA	$38,040	$27,730	$43,120	$44,700
383	Brunswick, GA	$38,020	$26,100	$43,910	$43,350
384	Alexandria, LA	$37,090	$26,920	$42,120	$43,290
385	Hot Springs, AR	$36,940	$28,370	$41,160	$43,090
386	Hammond, LA	$36,610	$26,750	$41,480	$43,350
387	San Juan, PR	$28,660	$22,480	$31,700	N/A
388	Mayaguez, PR	$26,250	$21,940	$28,350	N/A
389	Arecibo, PR	$26,150	$21,940	$28,200	N/A
390	Ponce, PR	$26,100	$21,880	$28,180	N/A
391	Guayama, PR	$25,540	$22,300	$27,140	N/A
392	Aguadilla, PR	$25,360	$21,860	$27,080	N/A

More on secretaries and administrative assistants

Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive career profile Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salary by state Will AI replace secretaries and administrative assistants?Cost of living calculator

Method

About these numbers

Mean wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 estimates for each metropolitan statistical area, as published in the Department of Labor’s 2026–27 OFLC prevailing-wage file. Only metros with their own BLS estimate are listed.
Entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) are the Department of Labor’s prevailing-wage levels for the occupation in that metro, used for employer visa filings. They are benchmarks from the same OEWS survey, not percentiles.
OEWS top-codes wages at $115 an hour ($239,200 a year); top-coded means are shown as "$239,200+" and left out of rankings.
At US prices divides the mean by the metro’s BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) over 100, a NueCareer calculation.

Questions

Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salary by city: FAQ

Which city pays secretaries and administrative assistants the most?

San Jose, CA, where the average (mean) wage is $66,410 a year, followed by San Francisco, CA ($66,100), New Haven, CT ($63,320), Seattle, WA ($61,610). The national mean is $49,350 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Where do secretaries and administrative assistants earn the most after cost of living?

Divided by each metro's BEA price level, pay goes furthest in New Haven, CT ($60,560 at national prices, $63,320 nominal), San Jose, CA ($60,140 at national prices, $66,410 nominal), Rochester, MN ($58,810 at national prices, $53,410 nominal).

How much do secretaries and administrative assistants make in the biggest cities?

New York, NY-NJ: $53,310; Los Angeles, CA: $56,330; Chicago, IL-IN: $54,620; Dallas, TX: $48,260; Houston, TX: $47,470 (mean annual wage, BLS OEWS May 2025).

Where do secretaries and administrative assistants earn the least?

Of the 392 metro areas with their own estimate, Aguadilla, PR has the lowest mean wage, $25,360.