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Clerical/administrative assistant salary
Average clerical/administrative assistant salary
$14.9
Understanding the Clerical/Administrative Assistant Salary
The Clerical/Administrative Assistant role is foundational in many organizations, often serving as the first point of contact for clients and managing essential office tasks. As of October 2025, the average salary for this position is $30,983 per year, translating to around $15 per hour. This figure can fluctuate based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the specific duties assigned.
For instance, clerical assistants in metropolitan areas often earn higher wages compared to those in rural settings. Experience plays a significant role in salary determination; entry-level positions may start lower, but those with several years of experience can earn substantially more. Additionally, certifications in office management or specific software can enhance earning potential.
Where to Earn More
Some states and cities offer significantly higher salaries for clerical positions. For example, states like California and New York have some of the highest average wages for administrative roles. Researching local job markets and salary trends can provide insights into where to apply for the best opportunities.
Overall, the clerical/administrative assistant role offers a pathway to various career opportunities, with potential for growth and increased earnings as individuals gain experience and skills.
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Where can a Clerical/Administrative Assistant earn more?
Clerical/administrative assistant salaries by experience level
Average clerical/administrative assistant salary by state
The average clerical/administrative assistant salary in Washington, Alaska, and Vermont are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average clerical/administrative assistant salary states are Delaware, South Carolina, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for clerical/administrative assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $39,516 | $19.00 |
| 2 | Washington | $43,106 | $20.72 |
| 3 | Oregon | $34,811 | $16.74 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $33,375 | $16.05 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| 7 | Hawaii | $36,875 | $17.73 |
| 8 | Vermont | $37,033 | $17.80 |
| 9 | Nebraska | $31,889 | $15.33 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $34,805 | $16.73 |
| 11 | Maine | $32,390 | $15.57 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $29,797 | $14.33 |
| 13 | California | $34,562 | $16.62 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $31,925 | $15.35 |
| 15 | Nevada | $30,970 | $14.89 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $33,654 | $16.18 |
| 17 | Ohio | $28,973 | $13.93 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $32,701 | $15.72 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $28,768 | $13.83 |
| 20 | New York | $30,839 | $14.83 |
| 21 | Iowa | $28,612 | $13.76 |
| 22 | Arizona | $29,383 | $14.13 |
| 23 | Montana | $28,276 | $13.59 |
| 24 | Michigan | $28,683 | $13.79 |
| 25 | Maryland | $30,306 | $14.57 |
| 26 | Texas | $28,500 | $13.70 |
| 27 | Idaho | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| 28 | North Dakota | $28,473 | $13.69 |
| 29 | New Mexico | $29,225 | $14.05 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| 31 | Colorado | $28,435 | $13.67 |
| 32 | Utah | $26,990 | $12.98 |
| 33 | Louisiana | $28,325 | $13.62 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $28,006 | $13.46 |
| 35 | Illinois | $28,108 | $13.51 |
| 36 | Virginia | $25,477 | $12.25 |
| 37 | Kansas | $27,372 | $13.16 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $25,746 | $12.38 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $26,359 | $12.67 |
| 40 | Florida | $23,739 | $11.41 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $26,348 | $12.67 |
| 42 | Missouri | $27,006 | $12.98 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $25,200 | $12.12 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $24,817 | $11.93 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $23,663 | $11.38 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $24,895 | $11.97 |
| 47 | Delaware | $23,697 | $11.39 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $22,833 | $10.98 |
| 49 | Indiana | $22,765 | $10.94 |
| 50 | Georgia | $22,932 | $11.03 |
| 51 | Alabama | $23,177 | $11.14 |
Highest paying cities for clerical/administrative assistants
The highest-paying cities for clerical/administrative assistants are Seattle, WA, Anchorage, AK, and San Leandro, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $43,414 | $20.87 |
| 2 | Anchorage, AK | $39,849 | $19.16 |
| 3 | San Leandro, CA | $35,587 | $17.11 |
| 4 | Danbury, CT | $34,374 | $16.53 |
| 5 | Passaic, NJ | $33,936 | $16.32 |
| 6 | Omaha, NE | $31,947 | $15.36 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $30,757 | $14.79 |
| 8 | Frederick, MD | $30,357 | $14.59 |
| 9 | Canton, OH | $29,402 | $14.14 |
| 10 | Clinton, MI | $28,827 | $13.86 |
| 11 | Lebanon, PA | $28,751 | $13.82 |
| 12 | Loveland, CO | $28,548 | $13.72 |
| 13 | Dallas, TX | $28,367 | $13.64 |
| 14 | Romeoville, IL | $28,050 | $13.49 |
| 15 | Lehi, UT | $26,978 | $12.97 |
| 16 | Durham, NC | $26,458 | $12.72 |
| 17 | Morristown, TN | $25,921 | $12.46 |
| 18 | Gainesville, FL | $24,070 | $11.57 |
| 19 | Atlanta, GA | $23,008 | $11.06 |
| 20 | Richmond, KY | $22,830 | $10.98 |
Clerical/administrative assistant salary details
A clerical/administrative assistant's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a clerical/administrative assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $30,983 | $2,582 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying clerical/administrative assistant jobs
The highest paying types of clerical/administrative assistants are assistant secretary, administrative staff, and administrative assistant/technical.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Support | $37,692 | $3,141 | $18.12 | 114,480 |
| Administrative Staff | $77,101 | $6,425 | $37.07 | 119,030 |
Top companies hiring clerical/administrative assistants now:
Which companies pay clerical/administrative assistants the most?
Clerical/administrative assistant salaries at University of California and City of Seattle are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average clerical/administrative assistant salary at companies like Sharp HealthCare and Amyx are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California | $38,723 | $18.62 |
| 2 | City of Seattle | $38,615 | $18.56 |
| 3 | Sharp HealthCare | $35,448 | $17.04 |
| 4 | Amyx | $34,425 | $16.55 |
| 5 | Village Green | $34,371 | $16.52 |
| 6 | Barstow Community College | $34,310 | $16.50 |
| 7 | Sensus | $33,944 | $16.32 |
| 8 | True Care Home Care | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| 9 | University of Nebraska System | $33,481 | $16.10 |
| 10 | Kindred Healthcare | $32,718 | $15.73 |
| 11 | City Of Kirkland | $32,696 | $15.72 |
| 12 | Goldbelt Falcon | $32,060 | $15.41 |
| 13 | Express Employment Indy South | $31,871 | $15.32 |
| 14 | PeopleReady | $31,844 | $15.31 |
| 15 | Adecco | $31,696 | $15.24 |
| 16 | AtWork | $31,648 | $15.22 |
| 17 | Duke University Health System | $31,405 | $15.10 |
| 18 | PLUM | $31,403 | $15.10 |
| 19 | Nefcu | $31,397 | $15.09 |
| 20 | Kelly Services | $31,207 | $15.00 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Clerical/Administrative Assistant salary by industry
The average clerical/administrative assistant salary varies across industries:
- The average clerical/administrative assistant salary in the government industry is $33,943, the highest of any industry.
- The average clerical/administrative assistant salary in the finance industry is $32,711.
- Clerical/administrative assistants in the retail industry earn an average salary of $29,325, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for clerical/administrative assistants
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government | $33,943 | $16.32 |
| 2 | Finance | $32,711 | $15.73 |
| 3 | Professional | $31,694 | $15.24 |
| 4 | Health Care | $30,539 | $14.68 |
| 5 | Telecommunication | $30,168 | $14.50 |
| 6 | Education | $30,095 | $14.47 |
| 7 | Manufacturing | $29,556 | $14.21 |
| 8 | Retail | $29,325 | $14.10 |
High paying clerical/administrative assistant jobs
Clerical/administrative assistant salary trends
The average clerical/administrative assistant salary has risen by $5,567 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average clerical/administrative assistant earned $25,416 annually, but today, they earn $30,983 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for clerical/administrative assistants over the last decade.
Compare clerical/administrative assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average clerical/administrative assistant salary over time
Compare clerical/administrative assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Clerical/administrative assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,000 | $14.90 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $30,100 | $14.45 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $29,200 | $14.04 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $28,400 | $13.65 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $27,800 | $13.35 | +2.6% |
Recently added clerical/administrative assistant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dadeland Animal Hospital Inc. | Clerical Administrative Assistant-Remote | Pinecrest, FL | 06/29/2025 | $39,653 |
| Vermont Judiciary | Judicial Assistant-Clerical, Administrative Assistant | Montpelier, VT | 06/28/2025 | $46,060 |
| Children's National Hospital | Clerical/Admin-Administrative Assistant | Washington, DC | 06/24/2025 | $66,784 |
| Klickitat County | Clerical Administrative Assistant I, II or III | Goldendale, WA | 06/20/2025 | $39,632 |
| Will County, Il | Clerical Administrator | Williamsville, IL | 06/20/2025 | $45,302 |
| Mac's List | Clerical Administrative Assistant I, II or III | Goldendale, WA | 06/20/2025 | $39,499 |
| Innovative Therapeutic Solutions | Asistente/Administrativa Administrativa Clerical/Administrative Assistant | Detroit, MI | 06/19/2025 | $29,218 |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst | Clerical Assistant-Global Education Administrative Coordinator | Amherst, MA | 06/12/2025 | $41,740 |
| University of Massachusetts | Clerical Assistant-Global Education Administrative Coordinator | Amherst, MA | 06/12/2025 | $41,740 |
| Umass Amherst | Clerical Assistant-Global Education Administrative Coordinator | Amherst, NY | 06/12/2025 | $41,740 |
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