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Administrative Assistant: Salary, Requirements & How to Become One
A data-driven guide to the Administrative Assistant career path — what the role involves, how to get hired, and how much demand there is right now.
$47,540
median annual salary
$22.86
median hourly pay
1,706,790
employed nationally
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How much does a Administrative Assistant make?
The median Administrative Assistant salary is $47,540 per year (about $22.86/hour). Pay scales with experience, location, and employer — here is the full national distribution:
| Percentile | Annual salary | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry) | $33,280 | Bottom 10% — new entrants, lower-cost areas |
| Median (50th) | $47,540 | Typical Administrative Assistant pay |
| 90th (top) | $66,350 | Top 10% — senior, high-cost metros |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, occupation "Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive" (SOC 43-6014). Official U.S. government wage data.
How to become a Administrative Assistant
- Build the core skills — through schooling, certification, or self-study relevant to Administrative Assistant work.
- Gain hands-on experience via entry-level roles, internships, or apprenticeships.
- Prepare a targeted resume highlighting measurable results.
- Apply through major job boards and company career pages; filter for "Administrative Assistant jobs near me".
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Administrative Assistant careers — frequently asked questions
- How much does a Administrative Assistant make?
- The median Administrative Assistant salary is $47,540 per year (about $22.86/hour), per BLS OEWS, May 2025. The middle range runs from $33,280 (10th percentile) to $66,350 (90th percentile), varying by experience, location, and employer.
- How do I become a Administrative Assistant?
- Most paths combine relevant education or certification with hands-on experience. Entry-level openings and apprenticeships are a common way in.
- Is Administrative Assistant a good career in 2026?
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive employ roughly 1,706,790 people nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and search demand runs near 550,000 queries per month — both signal steady hiring.