As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Secretary III in the United States is $63,100 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:
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An Secretary III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Secretary III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary I | 0-1 years | $45,086 |
| Administrative Assistant, Experienced | 1-3 years | $53,012 |
| Secretary III | 3-5 years | $63,095 |
| Administrative Assistant, Specialist | 5-7 years | $74,012 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 9.97% |
| Accounting | 2.93% |
| Purchasing | 1.24% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Management
|
$69,410 |
10%
|
|
Consulting
|
$68,779 |
9%
|
|
Leadership
|
$68,148 |
8%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$67,517 |
7%
|
|
Innovation
|
$67,517 |
7%
|
|
Analysis
|
$66,255 |
5%
|
Secretary III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $70,577. While startup companies pay approximate $59,687.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $59,687 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $63,128 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $68,155 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $70,577 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $78,875 | $38.0 | 25% |
| Internet | $76,982 | $37.0 | 22% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $75,720 | $36.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $74,458 | $36.0 | 18% |
| Energy & Utilities | $70,672 | $34.0 | 12% |
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
| 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% |
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 July 01, 2026For 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.
Salaries for an Secretary III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $46,895 in 2023 to around $45,907 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Secretary III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $46,895 |
| 2024 | $46,228 |
| 2025 | $45,907 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Secretary III roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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