Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive (SOC 43-6014) employed 1,706,790 people in May 2025. The median pay is $47,540 a year ($22.86 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,280 and the highest-paid 10% more than $66,350. BLS projects its employment to change by -6.0% between 2025 and 2035 (about 163,900 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest median pay: District of Columbia ($59,910), Massachusetts ($57,940), Washington ($57,330). Most jobs: California (158,630), Texas (149,650), New York (122,490).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| 25th percentile | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Median | $47,540 | $22.86 |
| Mean | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| 75th percentile | $58,000 | $27.88 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $66,350 | $31.90 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 1,889,800 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 1,775,700 |
| Change in jobs | -114,100 |
| Percent change | -6.0% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 163,900 |
| Self-employed share | 1.5% |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 45,050 | 1.94 | $41,630 | $29,170 | $59,090 | -12% | 29% |
| Alaska | 5,390 | 1.51 | $48,530 | $35,360 | $64,620 | +2% | 35% |
| Arizona | 31,220 | 0.88 | $47,940 | $36,420 | $67,980 | +1% | 39% |
| Arkansas | 8,590 | 0.60 | $37,630 | $28,540 | $55,060 | -21% | 30% |
| California | 158,630 | 0.79 | $55,400 | $38,060 | $78,170 | +17% | 44% |
| Colorado | 29,120 | 0.92 | $48,690 | $37,300 | $64,960 | +2% | 43% |
| Connecticut | 22,650 | 1.22 | $57,210 | $40,700 | $78,300 | +20% | 31% |
| Delaware | 6,320 | 1.19 | $47,970 | $35,930 | $64,170 | +1% | 35% |
| District of Columbia | 11,800 | 1.53 | $59,910 | $39,480 | $84,290 | +26% | 39% |
| Florida | 104,000 | 0.95 | $45,900 | $33,380 | $63,340 | -3% | 44% |
| Georgia | 44,430 | 0.83 | $41,600 | $26,330 | $62,090 | -12% | 40% |
| Hawaii | 7,020 | 1.02 | $50,830 | $38,480 | $68,120 | +7% | 47% |
| Idaho | 7,570 | 0.80 | $43,710 | $29,890 | $58,820 | -8% | 34% |
| Illinois | 74,280 | 1.11 | $48,310 | $31,930 | $76,790 | +2% | 32% |
| Indiana | 20,100 | 0.57 | $44,270 | $31,220 | $60,160 | -7% | 29% |
| Iowa | 12,830 | 0.75 | $45,150 | $33,880 | $60,760 | -5% | 26% |
| Kansas | 32,120 | 2.04 | $42,270 | $30,340 | $58,690 | -11% | 30% |
| Kentucky | 18,420 | 0.84 | $44,200 | $30,470 | $60,470 | -7% | 26% |
| Louisiana | 28,040 | 1.32 | $38,790 | $26,680 | $56,340 | -18% | 33% |
| Maine | 6,740 | 0.96 | $49,820 | $39,530 | $63,470 | +5% | 27% |
| Maryland | 54,890 | 1.81 | $48,680 | $35,360 | $67,070 | +2% | 42% |
| Massachusetts | 37,750 | 0.95 | $57,940 | $41,510 | $78,400 | +22% | 36% |
| Michigan | 40,830 | 0.84 | $46,020 | $33,360 | $63,950 | -3% | 29% |
| Minnesota | 31,330 | 0.97 | $51,400 | $38,080 | $66,830 | +8% | 30% |
| Mississippi | 14,720 | 1.15 | $37,340 | $25,770 | $57,870 | -21% | 31% |
| Missouri | 33,180 | 1.03 | $43,540 | $30,890 | $60,270 | -8% | 28% |
| Montana | 4,520 | 0.80 | $43,940 | $30,430 | $55,970 | -8% | 30% |
| Nebraska | 16,240 | 1.44 | $46,760 | $35,900 | $62,130 | -2% | 28% |
| Nevada | 16,790 | 0.99 | $46,570 | $34,180 | $63,210 | -2% | 41% |
| New Hampshire | 9,050 | 1.21 | $48,080 | $34,380 | $63,690 | +1% | 37% |
| New Jersey | 65,960 | 1.40 | $50,260 | $36,150 | $72,180 | +6% | 41% |
| New Mexico | 25,430 | 2.66 | $46,450 | $33,870 | $61,820 | -2% | 28% |
| New York | 122,490 | 1.15 | $49,600 | $37,330 | $64,840 | +4% | 39% |
| North Carolina | 43,690 | 0.81 | $45,790 | $31,720 | $61,750 | -4% | 32% |
| North Dakota | 5,800 | 1.23 | $47,480 | $34,920 | $60,780 | -0% | 24% |
| Ohio | 54,790 | 0.90 | $46,230 | $32,130 | $63,150 | -3% | 27% |
| Oklahoma | 20,120 | 1.07 | $39,660 | $27,110 | $56,630 | -17% | 31% |
| Oregon | 23,150 | 1.07 | $51,740 | $38,480 | $70,320 | +9% | 35% |
| Pennsylvania | 65,310 | 0.98 | $46,270 | $32,040 | $61,800 | -3% | 31% |
| Rhode Island | 5,200 | 0.95 | $52,140 | $38,000 | $72,800 | +10% | 31% |
| South Carolina | 30,180 | 1.19 | $44,880 | $29,100 | $61,660 | -6% | 32% |
| South Dakota | 6,120 | 1.22 | $41,700 | $31,200 | $51,480 | -12% | 27% |
| Tennessee | 34,580 | 0.96 | $45,810 | $29,660 | $63,130 | -4% | 31% |
| Texas | 149,650 | 0.97 | $45,140 | $29,810 | $63,020 | -5% | 37% |
| Utah | 14,870 | 0.78 | $47,050 | $31,600 | $63,850 | -1% | 38% |
| Vermont | 3,360 | 1.01 | $48,920 | $39,330 | $61,740 | +3% | 30% |
| Virginia | 31,580 | 0.70 | $47,620 | $34,040 | $66,700 | +0% | 40% |
| Washington | 31,710 | 0.81 | $57,330 | $43,250 | $74,750 | +21% | 37% |
| West Virginia | 8,820 | 1.15 | $40,370 | $28,820 | $57,970 | -15% | 26% |
| Wisconsin | 28,100 | 0.87 | $47,710 | $36,680 | $61,940 | +0% | 27% |
| Wyoming | 2,250 | 0.73 | $45,450 | $35,140 | $61,150 | -4% | 26% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven, CT | 4,780 | $63,800 | $43,940 | $80,130 | 1.55 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 7,970 | $62,940 | $46,040 | $89,290 | 0.64 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 20,270 | $62,110 | $45,550 | $90,220 | 0.78 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 15,780 | $60,230 | $45,720 | $80,470 | 0.69 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 830 | $59,510 | $43,970 | $74,610 | 0.81 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 28,540 | $59,330 | $42,930 | $79,050 | 0.96 |
| Napa, CA | 630 | $58,810 | $42,340 | $77,260 | 0.74 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 2,150 | $57,720 | $41,770 | $79,860 | 0.95 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | 430 | $57,580 | $42,260 | $66,230 | 0.96 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 960 | $57,510 | $38,610 | $79,490 | 0.89 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 5,800 | $57,440 | $42,580 | $79,330 | 1.31 |
| Salinas, CA | 1,500 | $57,340 | $39,520 | $76,720 | 0.73 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 510 | $56,980 | $43,250 | $73,740 | 0.88 |
| Vallejo, CA | 1,110 | $56,270 | $40,630 | $79,220 | 0.70 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 6,980 | $55,940 | $40,590 | $74,760 | 1.06 |
| Salem, OR | 3,220 | $55,660 | $39,720 | $70,320 | 1.55 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 12,070 | $55,380 | $39,860 | $75,780 | 0.71 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 13,510 | $55,360 | $40,640 | $72,750 | 1.02 |
| Modesto, CA | 1,830 | $55,140 | $39,530 | $70,170 | 0.86 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 990 | $55,040 | $40,430 | $75,050 | 0.96 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 8,450 | $55,020 | $39,300 | $76,110 | 0.71 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 790 | $54,820 | $41,560 | $72,890 | 0.98 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | 1,410 | $54,340 | $39,870 | $72,830 | 1.01 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 2,110 | $54,320 | $43,700 | $70,030 | 1.47 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 300 | $54,170 | $37,770 | $71,080 | 0.55 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 2,980 | $54,170 | $38,660 | $76,520 | 0.84 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 19,180 | $54,080 | $39,380 | $70,390 | 0.90 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 3,680 | $54,050 | $37,490 | $75,710 | 1.40 |
| Bellingham, WA | 870 | $53,820 | $41,280 | $64,890 | 0.87 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 2,310 | $53,770 | $38,280 | $75,810 | 0.73 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 37,010 | $53,660 | $37,890 | $79,660 | 1.08 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 58,800 | $53,550 | $36,420 | $76,510 | 0.85 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 1,450 | $53,140 | $43,770 | $73,610 | 1.02 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 1,160 | $53,100 | $37,670 | $63,450 | 0.92 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 13,210 | $52,920 | $37,730 | $74,660 | 0.70 |
| Rochester, MN | 1,000 | $52,890 | $37,280 | $66,010 | 0.74 |
| Yakima, WA | 1,020 | $52,540 | $41,240 | $64,390 | 0.96 |
| Worcester, MA | 3,550 | $52,450 | $40,430 | $69,770 | 0.93 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 2,930 | $52,000 | $42,180 | $68,910 | 0.92 |
| Visalia, CA | 1,390 | $51,910 | $37,630 | $75,210 | 0.74 |
| Bloomington, IL | 930 | $51,880 | $33,860 | $79,460 | 0.96 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 7,020 | $51,800 | $37,970 | $72,740 | 0.89 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 1,930 | $51,800 | $37,540 | $76,890 | 0.88 |
| Merced, CA | 620 | $51,710 | $37,850 | $74,560 | 0.71 |
| Yuba City, CA | 520 | $51,480 | $38,000 | $70,700 | 0.93 |
| Springfield, MA | 1,900 | $51,460 | $37,440 | $71,080 | 0.86 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 122,680 | $51,440 | $37,440 | $70,160 | 1.18 |
| Madison, WI | 4,630 | $51,410 | $39,140 | $65,370 | 1.03 |
| Mankato, MN | 660 | $51,410 | $38,370 | $61,640 | 1.06 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | 1,250 | $51,100 | $38,790 | $66,750 | 1.74 |
| Boulder, CO | 1,510 | $51,060 | $31,750 | $72,600 | 0.72 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 1,170 | $51,010 | $37,130 | $72,560 | 0.87 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 2,730 | $50,960 | $37,440 | $69,040 | 0.74 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 520 | $50,700 | $41,780 | $65,510 | 0.92 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 2,290 | $50,600 | $37,380 | $65,520 | 0.95 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | 2,330 | $50,460 | $39,630 | $69,630 | 1.32 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 50,190 | $50,440 | $34,300 | $78,820 | 1.01 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 1,200 | $50,210 | $40,260 | $63,370 | 0.91 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 2,410 | $50,170 | $36,820 | $75,940 | 3.55 |
| Fresno, CA | 3,870 | $50,100 | $37,400 | $69,670 | 0.74 |
The median is $47,540 a year ($22.86 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $33,280 and the highest-paid tenth over $66,350 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
1,706,790 in May 2025, and BLS projects -6.0% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS).
District of Columbia, with a median of $59,910 (among states with published figures).