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Office secretary salary
Average office secretary salary
$15.92
Understanding Office Secretary Salaries
The role of an office secretary is crucial in maintaining the smooth operation of any organization. As of October 2025, the average salary for office secretaries is approximately $33,118 per year. This figure can fluctuate based on several factors including geographic location, level of experience, and the specific industry.
Salaries Across Different States
In states like California and New York, office secretaries often earn higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for administrative professionals. For example, the highest paying states provide salaries that can exceed $40,000 annually. Conversely, states with a lower cost of living may offer salaries closer to the national average.
Experience Level Impact
Experience also plays a significant role in salary determination. Entry-level positions may start around $30,000, while those with several years of experience can earn upwards of $45,000. Additionally, certifications and specialized skills in software applications can enhance earning potential.
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Where can an Office Secretary earn more?
Office secretary salaries by experience level
Office secretary salary estimates from across the web
Average office secretary salary by state
The average office secretary salary in Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average office secretary salary states are West Virginia, Georgia, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for office secretaries
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $46,558 | $22.38 |
| 2 | Oregon | $41,394 | $19.90 |
| 3 | Washington | $41,299 | $19.86 |
| 4 | Alaska | $37,955 | $18.25 |
| 5 | Michigan | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| 6 | California | $40,899 | $19.66 |
| 7 | Arizona | $34,694 | $16.68 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $36,364 | $17.48 |
| 9 | Illinois | $35,673 | $17.15 |
| 10 | New York | $35,089 | $16.87 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $35,837 | $17.23 |
| 12 | Nebraska | $35,829 | $17.23 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $34,221 | $16.45 |
| 14 | New Mexico | $36,125 | $17.37 |
| 15 | Nevada | $35,221 | $16.93 |
| 16 | Idaho | $32,450 | $15.60 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $33,396 | $16.06 |
| 18 | Vermont | $34,739 | $16.70 |
| 19 | Montana | $31,750 | $15.26 |
| 20 | Iowa | $32,599 | $15.67 |
| 21 | Indiana | $31,928 | $15.35 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $31,162 | $14.98 |
| 23 | District of Columbia | $33,808 | $16.25 |
| 24 | Massachusetts | $32,415 | $15.58 |
| 25 | Florida | $31,411 | $15.10 |
| 26 | New Jersey | $33,158 | $15.94 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $31,067 | $14.94 |
| 28 | Colorado | $32,177 | $15.47 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $30,996 | $14.90 |
| 30 | Maine | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| 31 | Texas | $31,331 | $15.06 |
| 32 | Utah | $30,686 | $14.75 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $31,266 | $15.03 |
| 34 | Louisiana | $31,635 | $15.21 |
| 35 | Ohio | $29,109 | $13.99 |
| 36 | Kansas | $30,989 | $14.90 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $30,921 | $14.87 |
| 38 | Virginia | $30,407 | $14.62 |
| 39 | Maryland | $29,572 | $14.22 |
| 40 | Pennsylvania | $27,742 | $13.34 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $28,793 | $13.84 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $28,575 | $13.74 |
| 43 | Missouri | $28,428 | $13.67 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $26,557 | $12.77 |
| 45 | Alabama | $27,334 | $13.14 |
| 46 | Georgia | $26,347 | $12.67 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $25,447 | $12.23 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $27,521 | $13.23 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $24,536 | $11.80 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $24,576 | $11.82 |
| 51 | Delaware | $24,236 | $11.65 |
Highest paying cities for office secretaries
The highest-paying cities for office secretaries are Santa Rosa, CA, Addison, IL, and Elmira, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $42,131 | $20.26 |
| 2 | Addison, IL | $35,805 | $17.21 |
| 3 | Elmira, NY | $35,395 | $17.02 |
| 4 | Clovis, NM | $35,350 | $17.00 |
| 5 | Grand Rapids, MI | $35,339 | $16.99 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $33,865 | $16.28 |
| 7 | South Bend, IN | $32,630 | $15.69 |
| 8 | Castle Rock, CO | $32,095 | $15.43 |
| 9 | Tampa, FL | $31,669 | $15.23 |
| 10 | San Antonio, TX | $31,455 | $15.12 |
| 11 | Baltimore, MD | $29,661 | $14.26 |
| 12 | Akron, OH | $29,251 | $14.06 |
| 13 | Saint Charles, MO | $28,267 | $13.59 |
| 14 | Harrisburg, PA | $27,718 | $13.33 |
Office secretary salary details
An office secretary's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $42,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an office secretary's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| Average | $33,118 | $2,760 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying office secretary jobs
The highest paying types of office secretaries are assistant secretary, executive secretary, and office worker.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Office Clerk | $30,034 | $2,503 | $14.44 | 160,597 |
| Office Administrator | $37,423 | $3,119 | $17.99 | 118,096 |
| Administrator Secretary | $34,336 | $2,861 | $16.51 | 99,520 |
| Office Aide | $29,255 | $2,438 | $14.07 | 76,712 |
| Office Technician | $34,956 | $2,913 | $16.81 | 82,512 |
| Department Secretary | $35,473 | $2,956 | $17.05 | 80,303 |
Top companies hiring office secretaries now:
Which companies pay office secretaries the most?
Office secretary salaries at Guidehouse and Santa Rosa City Schools are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average office secretary salary at companies like Washington State University and New Brunswick Public Schools are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guidehouse | $42,276 | $20.32 |
| 2 | Santa Rosa City Schools | $40,618 | $19.53 |
| 3 | Washington State University | $40,430 | $19.44 |
| 4 | New Brunswick Public Schools | $38,079 | $18.31 |
| 5 | University of Rochester | $35,558 | $17.10 |
| 6 | American Fidelity | $34,132 | $16.41 |
| 7 | Akron Children's Hospital | $33,949 | $16.32 |
| 8 | Rehab | $33,615 | $16.16 |
| 9 | Arnot Health | $33,001 | $15.87 |
| 10 | Northside Hospital | $32,274 | $15.52 |
| 11 | Aerotek | $32,112 | $15.44 |
| 12 | WellSpan Health | $32,042 | $15.40 |
| 13 | Grand Rapids High School | $31,896 | $15.33 |
| 14 | Harrisburg School District | $31,693 | $15.24 |
| 15 | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | $31,368 | $15.08 |
| 16 | Addison Trail High School | $31,082 | $14.94 |
| 17 | State Of Florida | $30,636 | $14.73 |
| 18 | Bullitt County Public Schools | $29,764 | $14.31 |
| 19 | Clovis Community College | $29,635 | $14.25 |
| 20 | Hempfield School District | $28,642 | $13.77 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Office secretary salary trends
The average office secretary salary has risen by $5,950 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average office secretary earned $27,168 annually, but today, they earn $33,118 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for office secretaries over the last decade.
Compare office secretary salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average office secretary salary over time
Compare office secretary salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Office secretary salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $33,100 | $15.92 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $32,100 | $15.45 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $31,200 | $15.01 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $30,300 | $14.59 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $29,700 | $14.27 | +2.6% |
Recently added office secretary salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meritus Health External | Office Secretary-Meritus Pain Specialist | Hagerstown, MD | 06/27/2025 | $37,566 |
| Northshore School District 417 | Main Office Secretary | Ione, WA | 06/27/2025 | $73,400 |
| Louis Suburban Chapel | Funeral Home Office Secretary | Fair Lawn, NJ | 06/27/2025 | $45,000 |
| Brook Lane | Office Secretary-Meritus Gynecology/Oncology | Hagerstown, MD | 06/26/2025 | $37,566 |
| South Bend Community School Corporation | School Office Main Secretary | South Bend, IN | 06/26/2025 | $36,523 |
| Morris Hills Regional District | Secretary, General Office | Rockaway, NJ | 06/26/2025 | $54,590 |
| Derry Area School District | Anticipated High School Main Office Secretary | Kane, PA | 06/26/2025 | $42,116 |
| Morris Hills Regional School District | Secretary, General Office | Downe, NJ | 06/26/2025 | $54,590 |
| Tacoma School District | School Office Secretary | Tacoma, WA | 06/26/2025 | $58,519 |
| Bullitt County Public Schools | Central Office Secretary-Human Resources) | Shepherdsville, KY | 06/25/2025 | $38,756 |
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