upper level job

Hourly Wage for Administrative Assistant I Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Administrative Assistant I?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Administrative Assistant I in the United States is $22, which translates to an annual salary of about $45,094.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $26 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $20 to $24 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $18 per hour

Key Factors That Influence Administrative Assistant I Salaries

An Administrative 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Administrative Assistant I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Administrative 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:

  • Administrative Assistant I (0-1 years): $45,094
  • Administrative Assistant II (1-3 years): $53,032
  • Administrative Assistant III (3-5 years): $63,124
  • Administrative Assistant IV (5-7 years): $74,042
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Administrative Assistant I0-1 years$45,094
Administrative Assistant II1-3 years$53,032
Administrative Assistant III3-5 years$63,124
Administrative Assistant IV5-7 years$74,042

Top Paying Cities for Administrative Assistant Is

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: $56,877
  • San Francisco: $56,254
  • Oakland: $55,069

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 11.89% 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 2.59% 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.
  • Accounts Payable (Mentioned in 1.26% Job Postings): Accounts payable (AP) is money owed by a business to its suppliers shown as a liability on a company's balance sheet. It is distinct from notes payable liabilities, which are debts created by formal legal instrument documents.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.89%
PowerPoint 2.59%
Accounts Payable 1.26%

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 Administrative Assistant I's salary.

  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting $50,956
13%
Analysis $49,603
10%
Project Management $49,152
9%

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

Administrative Assistant I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $50,394. While startup companies pay approximate $42,629.

Administrative Assistant I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $42,629
Growth Stage 51~500 $45,084
Established 501~5000 $48,662
Enterprise 5000+ $50,394

Administrative Assistant I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Administrative Assistant I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Telecom sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Administrative Assistant positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Administrative Assistant I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Administrative Assistant I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$51,858$25.015%
Telecom$51,858$25.015%
Biotechnology$49,603$24.010%
Energy & Utilities$49,603$24.010%
Internet$49,603$24.010%

How Education impacts an Administrative Assistant I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Administrative Assistant I enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Administrative Assistant I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $44,503 and $47,240.

Administrative Assistant I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Administrative Assistant I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 33.1%
Associates 19.5%
Bachelors 42.6%
Masters 3.6%
Doctorate 0.1%

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

Understanding how an Administrative 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$40,761
Average $45,094/year
$49,382
$3,397
Average $3,758/month
$4,115
$784
Average $867/week
$950
$20
Average $22/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $49,382 $4,115 $950 $24
Average $45,094 $3,758 $867 $22
25th Percentile $40,761 $3,397 $784 $20

Most common benefits for Administrative Assistant I

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

Common company salaries for Administrative Assistant I

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

Find Your Next Administrative Assistant I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Administrative Assistant I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Administrative Assistant I

1. What are the responsibilities of Administrative Assistant I?

Provides administrative support to an individual, team, department or group in an organization. Collects, reviews and analyzes data and prepares reports, charts, budgets, and other presentation materials utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, or specialized software. Prepares and distributes reports or other communications on a regular schedule. Maintains files, databases, and archives of relevant records. Screens calls and responds to or routes routine inquiries from external or internal sources with appropriate correspondence or other messaging. Schedules and coordinates meetings, travel, and other group activities. May manage expense reporting, invoicing, office supply inventory, or other routine processes. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

2. What are the skills of Administrative Assistant I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Customer Service: 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.

2.)

PowerPoint: 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.

3.)

Accounts Payable: Accounts payable (AP) is money owed by a business to its suppliers shown as a liability on a company's balance sheet. It is distinct from notes payable liabilities, which are debts created by formal legal instrument documents.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst