Highest-Paying Office Administrator Jobs [2026]

Research Summary. The Zippia data team has analyzed a blend of public government and company data, along with insights from thousands of job postings, to estimate average salaries for various office administrator roles across the United States. This analysis highlights the highest-paid office administrator positions based on current salary data.

Here’s a summary of our findings regarding the most lucrative office administrator roles:

• Administrative Staff rank as the top earners in office administration, with an average salary of $77,101 and an hourly wage of $37.07.

• The second highest-paying office administrator role is the Executive Administrator, earning an average salary of $52,855.

• The overall average salary for office administrators stands at $37,423 per year, translating to an hourly rate of $17.99.

Table of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Selecting a career path can be a daunting task, and while salary is an essential consideration, it shouldn’t be the only factor in your choice. If you aspire to become an office administrator, understanding which roles offer the highest compensation can help you strategically navigate your career trajectory.

Here are the top salaries for various office administrator roles:

1. Administrative Staff

   Average Salary: $77,101

   Administrative staff primarily deliver administrative and secretarial support within their department. They handle tasks such as report creation, filing, scheduling, and payroll processing. Their role also involves planning weekly department meetings, organizing conference calls, and addressing administrative challenges. This position requires strong multitasking abilities, data analysis, and collaborative communication skills, alongside responsibilities like organizing company events and meetings.

2. Executive Administrator

   Average Salary: $52,855

   Executive administrators support senior management by aiding in strategy development and business analysis to fulfill corporate objectives. They schedule meetings, manage appointments, and contribute to employee training programs to enhance productivity and customer satisfaction. This role necessitates excellent time-management and organizational skills, along with outstanding communication skills to address client inquiries effectively.

3. Accounting Administrator

   Average Salary: $48,068

   Accounting administrators focus on reviewing financial statements, managing deposits, and resolving discrepancies. They ensure accurate cash flow, including payroll processing and petty cash management, while maintaining organized records for audit purposes. A strong knowledge of accounting principles and proficient analytical skills are crucial for success in this role.

4. Administrative Coordinator

   Average Salary: $40,599

   Administrative coordinators manage communication and scheduling processes within an organization, ensuring all necessary information flows seamlessly. Their duties include handling inquiries, managing correspondence, maintaining documentation, and optimizing operational systems. They also assess workflow continuity and address issues as they arise.

5. Administrative Professional

   Average Salary: $39,486

   Administrative professionals perform essential administrative support and clerical functions, ensuring efficient workflow. Their responsibilities typically include schedule management, appointment coordination, report generation, task delegation, and acting as a liaison for executives and staff. They may also handle calls, respond to inquiries, and welcome visitors.

Below is a comprehensive table of the average salaries for various office administrator roles, followed by a detailed methodology explanation.

Highest-Paying Types Of Office Administrators

Methodology

Zippia utilizes publicly available data from government sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to formulate salary estimates.

Our data science team also reviews job postings and company-released data for the most recent salary insights for office administrators.

After collecting the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title. For more details on our salary estimations, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Office Administrator Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid office administrator job?

   The highest-paid office administrator job is Administrative Staff. Administrative Staff earn an average salary of $77,101, which equates to $37.07 per hour.

   As administrative staff, they primarily provide administrative and secretarial support for their department. Their tasks typically include report-writing, filing, scheduling, and payroll processing. They also plan departmental meetings, coordinate conference calls, and address administrative issues. This multifaceted role requires strong collaboration and communication skills, alongside responsibilities for organizing company events and meetings.

2. What is a good salary for an office administrator?

   A good salary for an office administrator is $37,423 or more. This average salary indicates that those earning at least this amount are making above-average wages.

   However, it’s essential to consider that average salaries can vary by location, as companies adjust their compensation based on local living costs. Researching the average salary in your area for your level of expertise can provide a clearer picture of your compensation.

   If you’re starting your career as an office administrator, note that the average entry-level salary is around $26,152; therefore, don’t base your expectations solely on the $37,423 average, as this figure encompasses all experience levels.

3. Do Office Administrator jobs pay well?

   Office administrator jobs offer varying pay scales. While some positions may not pay exceptionally well, the average salary of $37,423 is competitive compared to the average national income of about $44,225 per year.

   Moreover, many office administrator roles have significant earning potential, with the top 10% earning an average of $53,886 annually.

   Office Administrators’ salaries will depend on their experience, industry, and location, so it’s important to conduct thorough research on current rates in your area and be prepared to negotiate based on your findings.

4. Where do office administrators get paid the most?

   Office administrators earn the most in Alaska. In Alaska, the average annual salary for office administrators is $47,682, which translates to an hourly rate of $22.92.

   Following Alaska, the states with the highest salaries for office administrators are Colorado, Washington, and New York, with average annual salaries of $41,672, $41,766, and $42,096, respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid office administrator salaries include:

   1. Washington, DC – $46,045

   2. Seattle, WA – $42,132

   3. New York, NY – $42,117

Author

Chris Kolmar

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.