Highest-Paying Office Assistant Jobs [2023]

Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of office assistants that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of office assistants:

• Assistant Secretary is the highest-paid type of office assistant with an average salary of $107,366 and an average hourly rate of $51.62.

• The second highest-paying type of office assistant is office administrator, with an average salary of $37,423.

• The average office assistant salary is $31,517 per year, and the average hourly pay is $15.15.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as an office assistant, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of office assistants are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of office assistants:

1. Assistant Secretary

   Average Salary: $107,366

   An assistant secretary is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties to support the daily operations of various departments and management personnel and ensure the efficiency of business functions. Assistant secretaries usually assist in business communications, responding to customers’ inquiries and concerns, reaching out to existing clients to schedule appointments, welcoming guests on the office, and routing calls to the appropriate department. They also handle data entry procedures, updating customer information on the database, as well as creating reports on business and financial transactions.

2. Office Administrator

   Average Salary: $37,423

   Office administrators are employees who ensure that the office is running in tip-top shape. They manage the administrative needs of the office. They answer calls directed to the official company phone, manage the inventory of supplies, take charge or purchase requisitions for needed supplies, and ensure the office equipment and fixtures are taken care of. Office administrators also manage correspondences, official memoranda, and other official company documents. They also keep track of files and records to ensure that these are properly organized. At times, office administrators also take charge of welcoming guests and accompanying them to their respective meetings.

3. Administrative Assistant

   Average Salary: $34,945

   Administrative assistants, or admin assistants, do general clerical and administrative activities. Their duties involve organizing and maintaining files and records, preparing documents, scheduling meetings and appointments, and providing general support in the office. Administrative assistants handle incoming and outgoing official correspondences, take minutes of important meetings and manage calls to the main office number. They also assist executives in providing structure to their day by managing their schedule, drafting e-mails, and other activities that executives may need assistance in. Administrative assistants should have the following skills: organizing, business writing, decision-making, and communication.

4. Legal Office Assistant

   Average Salary: $34,133

   A Legal Office Assistants serves as the apprentice of lawyers. They are responsible for doing daily clerical works inside a law office. They gather relevant information like pieces of evidence and organizes all the needed data. They also prepare subpoenas and summonses, review legal documents, and take down notes in a courtroom. Unlike the Lawyers, this career handles a more significant caseload. They must also have good communication skills with clients regarding their cases.

5. Office Support Assistant

   Average Salary: $33,548

   An office support assistant is in charge of performing clerical support tasks to keep offices running smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities typically include answering calls and correspondence, preparing and processing documents, organizing and disseminating files, and coordinating with different departments. There are also instances where they must attend meetings and take down information, greet visitors, and monitor the inventory of office supplies, processing procurement requests when necessary. Furthermore, they may assist the staff when it comes to programs and projects.

Below is a full table of the average pay for various office assistant that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Office Assistants

Methodology

Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.

Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for office assistants.

Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Office Assistant Jobs FAQs

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

   The highest-paid office assistant job is an assistant secretary. Assistant Secretaries earn an average salary of $107,366, which is $ 51.62 hourly.

   An assistant secretary is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties to support the daily operations of various departments and management personnel and ensure the efficiency of business functions. Assistant secretaries usually assist in business communications, responding to customers’ inquiries and concerns, reaching out to existing clients to schedule appointments, welcoming guests on the office, and routing calls to the appropriate department. They also handle data entry procedures, updating customer information on the database, as well as creating reports on business and financial transactions.

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

   A good salary for an office assistant is $31,517 or more. The average office assistant salary is $31,517, so those making at least $31,517 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average office assistant salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.

   In addition, if you’re just starting your career as an office assistant, the average entry level salary is $22,025, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $31,517 average, as this includes all office assistants of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Office Assistant jobs pay well?

   No, office assistant jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some office assistant jobs pay better than others, but the average office assistant salary of $31,517 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many office assistant jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of office assistants earning $45,383 a year on average.

   Office Assistants’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as an office assistant. Do your research on the going rate for an office assistant in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do office assistants get paid the most?

   Office Assistants get paid the most in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, office assistants earn an average annual salary of $36,414 and an average hourly wage of $17.51.

   Following MA, the states with the highest-paid office assistants are Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New York, with average annual salaries of $36,077, $31,986, and $33,720 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid office assistant salaries are:

   1. Washington, DC – $40,227

   2. San Francisco, CA – $38,307

   3. Boston, MA – $36,422

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.