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Secretary III Salary in the United States

How much does an Secretary III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Secretary III in the United States is $63,130 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, an Secretary III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,828
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,730 to $70,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,903
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Secretary III Salaries

An Secretary III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Secretary III Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Secretary IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $69,900.
  • California: $69,630.
  • Massachusetts: $68,700.

Top Paying Cities for Secretary IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $79,620
  • San Francisco: $78,750
  • Oakland: $77,090

What Skills Can Increase an Secretary III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 9.97% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 2.93% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
  • Purchasing (Mentioned in 1.24% Job Postings): Purchasing refers to a business or organization attempting to acquire goods or services to accomplish its goals. Although there are several organizations that attempt to set standards in the purchasing process, processes can vary greatly between organizations. Typically the word “purchasing” is not used interchangeably with the word “procurement”, since procurement typically includes expediting, supplier quality, and transportation and logistics (T&L) in addition to purchasing.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.97%
Accounting 2.93%
Purchasing 1.24%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Secretary III's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $69,443
10%
Consulting $68,812
9%
Leadership $68,180
8%
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Secretary III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Secretary III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $70,550. While startup companies pay approximate $59,678.

Secretary III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $59,678
Growth Stage 51~500 $63,116
Established 501~5000 $68,125
Enterprise 5000+ $70,550

Secretary III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Secretary III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 82% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Secretary positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Secretary III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Secretary III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$78,912$38.025%
Internet$77,019$37.022%
Pharmaceuticals$75,756$36.020%
Financial Services$74,493$36.018%
Energy & Utilities$70,706$34.012%

How Education impacts an Secretary III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Secretary IIIs enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Secretary III with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $61,437 and $65,364).

Secretary III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Secretary III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 35.0%
Associates 22.8%
Bachelors 37.0%
Masters 4.1%
Doctorate 0.2%
View as Graph

Secretary III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Secretary III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$56,730
Average $63,130/year
$70,300
$4,728
Average $5,261/month
$5,858
$1,091
Average $1,214/week
$1,352
$27
Average $30/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $70,300 $5,858 $1,352 $34
Average $63,130 $5,261 $1,214 $30
25th Percentile $56,730 $4,728 $1,091 $27

Secretary III Salary Growth & Career Path

Secretary III

Next Role

For an Secretary III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Administrative Assistant, Specialist role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $74,100 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Secretary III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Secretary III

Here are companies hiring for Secretary III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Secretary III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Secretary III?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Secretary III roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Is a secretary an entry level job?

A secretary position can be considered entry-level, typically requiring a high school diploma and basic office skills. Many individuals gain experience through internships or volunteer work before securing a role. Salaries for secretaries range from a minimum of $58,040 to a mid-level of $65,060, with a maximum of $72,750, reflecting the potential for growth in this career.

3. Is secretary job stressful?

The role of a secretary can indeed be stressful. As the primary point of contact for staff and management, they often face a continuous stream of requests, which can intrude on personal time. With salaries ranging from $58,040 to $72,750, the compensation reflects the demands of the job, but the pressure to be constantly available can still lead to significant stress.

4. How much do governors get paid?

The salary for a Secretary typically ranges from a minimum of $58,040 to a maximum of $72,750, with a mid-range salary of $65,060. In comparison, governors' salaries vary significantly by state, with some earning over $200,000, while others receive around $90,000 or more, reflecting the differences in state budgets and responsibilities.

5. What is the highest salary of a secretary?

The highest salary for a secretary is $72,750 annually. The salary range for secretaries typically starts at a minimum of $58,040, with a mid-level salary of $65,060. This reflects the varying levels of experience and responsibility within the role.

6. How much does the secretary of defense get paid USA?

The salary for a secretary in the USA typically ranges from $58,040 to $72,750, with a mid-range salary of $65,060. This reflects the general pay scale for secretarial positions, which can vary based on experience, location, and specific job responsibilities.

7. What is the highest paying secretary job?

The highest paying secretary job is the Corporate Secretary, with a salary range of $58,040 to $72,750 per year. Other high-paying roles include Secretary Specialist, earning between $58,040 and $65,060, and Engineering Secretary, with salaries ranging from $37,500 to $58,000. These positions offer competitive compensation within the secretary profession.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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