Research Summary. After thorough research by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest information on assistant salaries by state for the United States in 2026:
-
Massachusetts boasts the highest average assistant salary at $86,498.
-
South Dakota has the lowest average assistant salary of $24,353.
-
The national average salary for assistants stands at $37,363.
-
The national hourly pay for assistants is approximately $17.96.
For more details, you can read about the specific methodology.
Background
Surveys consistently show that salary remains the most critical factor in job satisfaction for many individuals. A common question is, “How much do assistants earn in my area?”
While individual circumstances can affect specific salaries, we provide solid data on average assistant salaries by state, segmented by experience level. While your local salary may differ, these averages will give you a strong sense of what to expect.
As of 2026, Massachusetts continues to lead as the state with the highest compensation for assistants.
Below is a quick overview of the top ten states for assistant salaries:
Let’s explore the details behind these figures and provide a comprehensive ranking of salaries across all states.
Highest-Paid Assistants By State
| Rank | State | Average Assistant Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $86,498 | $40,000 | $186,000 |
| 2 | New York | $76,802 | $34,000 | $171,000 |
| 3 | Vermont | $74,465 | $32,000 | $168,000 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $70,045 | $30,000 | $161,000 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $69,913 | $30,000 | $160,000 |
| 6 | Maine | $68,164 | $29,000 | $158,000 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $66,919 | $28,000 | $155,000 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $66,664 | $28,000 | $155,000 |
| 9 | Maryland | $66,629 | $28,000 | $153,000 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $62,121 | $26,000 | $146,000 |
| 11 | Virginia | $60,720 | $25,000 | $143,000 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $57,569 | $24,000 | $136,000 |
| 13 | Delaware | $54,922 | $22,000 | $133,000 |
| 14 | North Carolina | $54,455 | $22,000 | $129,000 |
| 15 | Indiana | $52,971 | $22,000 | $123,000 |
| 16 | Ohio | $52,966 | $22,000 | $126,000 |
| 17 | Michigan | $50,672 | $21,000 | $121,000 |
| 18 | Kentucky | $49,448 | $20,000 | $116,000 |
| 19 | Illinois | $48,421 | $20,000 | $113,000 |
| 20 | South Carolina | $46,017 | $18,000 | $112,000 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $45,095 | $19,000 | $104,000 |
| 22 | Florida | $40,902 | $17,000 | $93,000 |
| 23 | Georgia | $40,049 | $17,000 | $93,000 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $38,467 | $16,000 | $87,000 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $37,629 | $18,000 | $74,000 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $35,484 | $21,000 | $59,000 |
| 27 | Iowa | $34,456 | $16,000 | $70,000 |
| 28 | Alabama | $34,026 | $15,000 | $72,000 |
| 29 | Washington | $32,884 | $24,000 | $43,000 |
| 30 | California | $31,407 | $22,000 | $43,000 |
| 31 | Missouri | $30,329 | $15,000 | $58,000 |
| 32 | Oregon | $29,978 | $22,000 | $40,000 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $28,551 | $17,000 | $45,000 |
| 34 | Alaska | $27,904 | $20,000 | $37,000 |
| 35 | Colorado | $27,643 | $19,000 | $38,000 |
| 36 | Arizona | $26,834 | $19,000 | $37,000 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $26,447 | $15,000 | $46,000 |
| 38 | Nevada | $26,430 | $19,000 | $36,000 |
| 39 | Montana | $26,312 | $19,000 | $35,000 |
| 40 | Texas | $26,162 | $16,000 | $40,000 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $26,115 | $15,000 | $42,000 |
| 42 | Kansas | $26,041 | $15,000 | $42,000 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $25,652 | $18,000 | $36,000 |
| 44 | Wyoming | $25,636 | $18,000 | $35,000 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $25,486 | $13,000 | $48,000 |
| 46 | Idaho | $25,449 | $19,000 | $33,000 |
| 47 | Utah | $25,014 | $18,000 | $33,000 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $24,917 | $14,000 | $43,000 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $24,573 | $15,000 | $37,000 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $24,353 | $14,000 | $39,000 |
Methodology: Assistant Salary By State
To analyze assistant pay by state, Zippia aggregates data from various channels, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM, supplemented by actual salaries listed in job postings. Our data science team then calculates a weighted average to determine the average pay for assistants by state.
We ranked each state based on average annual salary data for assistants, with the state offering the highest average salary receiving the top ranking.
Assistant Salary By State FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid state for assistants?
The highest-paid state for assistants is Massachusetts, with an average salary of $86,498 per year.
-
What city pays assistants the most?
Boston, MA offers the highest pay for assistants, averaging $95,026 per year.
-
What is the worst state for assistants?
The state with the lowest average assistant salary is South Dakota, at $24,353 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
