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Intermediate Administrative Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does an Intermediate Administrative Assistant make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Administrative Assistant in the United States is $53,090 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

However, an Intermediate Administrative Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $64,362
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,690 to $58,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,774
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Intermediate Administrative Assistant Salaries

An Intermediate Administrative Assistant'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 Intermediate Administrative Assistant 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 Intermediate Administrative Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $58,790.
  • California: $58,590.
  • Massachusetts: $57,790.

Top Paying Cities for Intermediate Administrative Assistants

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: $66,990
  • San Francisco: $66,190
  • Oakland: $64,790

What Skills Can Increase an Intermediate Administrative Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 11.77% 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.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 2.58% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
  • Bookkeeping (Mentioned in 1.32% Job Postings): Bookkeeping is the recording of financial transactions, and is part of the process of accounting in business. Transactions include purchases, sales, receipts, and payments by an individual person or an organization/corporation. There are several standard methods of bookkeeping, including the single-entry and double-entry bookkeeping systems. While these may be viewed as "real" bookkeeping, any process for recording financial transactions is a bookkeeping process. Bookkeeping is the work of a bookkeeper (or book-keeper), who records the day-to-day financial transactions of a business. They usually write the daybooks (which contain records of sales, purchases, receipts, and payments), and document each financial transaction, whether cash or credit, into the correct daybook—that is, petty cash book, suppliers ledger, customer ledger, etc.—and the general ledger. Thereafter, an accountant can create financial reports from the information recorded by the bookkeeper.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.77%
PowerPoint 2.58%
Bookkeeping 1.32%
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 Intermediate Administrative Assistant's salary.

  • Financial Services: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Financial Services $63,177
19%
Analysis $57,868
9%
Project Management $56,806
7%
Get Latest Data

Intermediate Administrative Assistant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Intermediate Administrative Assistant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $59,269. While startup companies pay approximate $50,186.

Intermediate Administrative Assistant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $50,186
Growth Stage 51~500 $53,066
Established 501~5000 $57,229
Enterprise 5000+ $59,269

Intermediate Administrative Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intermediate Administrative Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Administrative Assistant positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Administrative Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Intermediate Administrative Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$66,362$32.025%
Internet$63,708$31.020%
Software & Networking$63,708$31.020%
Energy & Utilities$61,053$29.015%
Aerospace & Defense$58,399$28.010%

How Education impacts an Intermediate Administrative Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Administrative Assistants 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 Intermediate Administrative Assistant with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $51,374 and $54,545).

Intermediate Administrative Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intermediate Administrative Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.2%
High School 35.1%
Associates 20.5%
Bachelors 39.2%
Masters 3.9%
Doctorate 0.1%
View as Graph

Intermediate Administrative Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Intermediate Administrative Assistant'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 October 01, 2026
$47,690
Average $53,090/year
$58,990
$3,974
Average $4,424/month
$4,916
$917
Average $1,021/week
$1,134
$23
Average $26/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $58,990 $4,916 $1,134 $28
Average $53,090 $4,424 $1,021 $26
25th Percentile $47,690 $3,974 $917 $23

Intermediate Administrative Assistant Salary Growth & Career Path

Intermediate Administrative Assistant

Next Role

Advancement

For an Intermediate Administrative Assistant, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Administrative Assistant, Senior role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $63,200 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Intermediate Administrative Assistant

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

Common company salaries for Intermediate Administrative Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Intermediate Administrative Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Intermediate Administrative Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Intermediate Administrative Assistant?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Administrative Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How to make more money as an Administrative Assistant?

To increase your earnings as an Administrative Assistant, focus on negotiating your salary. With a salary range of $48,690 to $60,790, it's essential to advocate for your worth based on your skills, experience, and market trends. Research industry standards and be prepared to discuss your contributions to maximize your compensation.

3. Is an Administrative Assistant higher than a receptionist?

Administrative assistants typically earn higher salaries than receptionists due to their increased responsibilities and the need for higher education or experience. For instance, the salary range for an Intermediate Administrative Assistant is between $48,690 and $60,790, with a median salary of $54,290, reflecting their more complex role in the workplace.

4. Is Administrative Assistant a high position?

Administrative Assistants can hold varying levels of responsibility, from entry-level to mid-level and even high-level positions. Their tasks are often specific to a department or individual. Salary data indicates that Intermediate Administrative Assistants earn between $48,690 and $60,790, reflecting the potential for growth and advancement in this role.

5. How much is a receptionist paid in us?

As of January 17, 2025, the salary for an Intermediate Administrative Assistant in the United States ranges from $48,690 to $60,790 annually, with a median salary of $54,290. This reflects a competitive pay scale, providing a solid foundation for those in administrative roles.

6. What state pays administrative assistants the most?

The states and districts that pay Administrative Assistants the highest mean salary are District of Columbia ($60,790), Connecticut ($54,290), Massachusetts ($54,290), California ($54,290), and Washington ($54,290). The salary range for Intermediate Administrative Assistants is between $48,690 and $60,790, with a midpoint of $54,290.

7. What's next after administrative assistant?

After serving as an administrative assistant, many professionals advance to roles such as executive assistant or office manager. Others may explore opportunities in different departments. The salary for an Intermediate Administrative Assistant typically ranges from $48,690 to $60,790, with a midpoint of $54,290, reflecting the potential for growth in these new positions.

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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