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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Office Assistant I in Tennessee is $35,653 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.
However, an Office Assistant I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Office Assistant I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $38,153 | $3,179 | $734 | $18 |
| Average | $35,653 | $2,971 | $686 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,283 | $2,690 | $621 | $16 |
Rooms To Go - Murfreesboro, TN
Journey Community Schools - Memphis, TN
Greater Harvest Church of God In Christ Ministries, Inc. - Memphis, TN
Royal Furniture Company - Memphis, TN
An Office Assistant I'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Office Assistant I'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Office Assistant I | 0-1 years | $35,638 |
| Administrative Services - Clerical - Intermediate | 1-3 years | $39,596 |
| Administrative Services - Clerical - Senior | 3-5 years | $43,786 |
| Clerical Support Supervisor | 5+ years | $61,789 |
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 Office Assistant Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Office Assistant I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $39,911. While startup companies pay approximate $33,764.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $33,764 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $35,710 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $38,542 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $39,911 |
For Office Assistant I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 39% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Office Assistant positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Office Assistant I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $42,784 | $21.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $39,931 | $19.0 | 12% |
| Software & Networking | $39,931 | $19.0 | 12% |
| Internet | $39,218 | $19.0 | 10% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $39,218 | $19.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an Office Assistant I'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $38,153 | $3,179 | $734 | $18 |
| Average | $35,653 | $2,971 | $686 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,283 | $2,690 | $621 | $16 |
For an Office Assistant I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Administrative Services - Clerical - Intermediate role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $39,600 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Office Assistant I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Havertys
Mount Juliet, TN
Havertys | Mount Juliet, TN
Office AssistantHavertys Nashville is excited to announce we are opening a brand-new store in the Mt. Juliet area in May of 2026. We're looking for a brigh... more
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Knoxville, TN
CRH | Knoxville, TN
Office AssistantThe Office Assistant provides day-to-day administrative and coordination support to the Southern Atlantic Region office in Knoxville. This ... more
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Chattanooga, TN
Express Employment Professionals Defunct | Chattanooga, TN
Job Full DescriptionWe are seeking a friendly, professional, and detail-oriented individual to serve as our Receptionist while providing backup support to ... more
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Priority Placements Group
Johnson City, TN
Priority Placements Group | Johnson City, TN
An office assistant is responsible for a wide range of tasks that support the daily operations of an office. Key responsibilities include:Greeting visitors... more
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Chaliff & Associates Certified Public Accountants
Memphis, TN
Chaliff & Associates Certified Public Accountants | Memphis, TN
Job Description. Job Description. Office Assistant – Full or Part-Time. (Not Remote). Position Overview. Chaliff + Associates is seeking a dependable, orga... more
5 Days Ago
AdvanceCare Health Services
Cleveland, TN
AdvanceCare Health Services | Cleveland, TN
Job Description. Job Description. To Qualify For This Position you MUST Currently reside in Tennessee. AdvanceCare Health Services, LLC is seeking a proact... more
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