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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 July 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 $45,086.

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
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View as table View as graph 25% $20 10% $18 90% $26 75% $24 $22 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Administrative Assistant I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $49,370 $4,114 $949 $24
Average $45,086 $3,757 $867 $22
25th Percentile $40,754 $3,396 $784 $20
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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 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): $45,086
  • Administrative Assistant II (1-3 years): $53,012
  • Administrative Assistant III (3-5 years): $63,095
  • Administrative Assistant IV (5-7 years): $74,012
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Administrative Assistant I0-1 years$45,086
Administrative Assistant II1-3 years$53,012
Administrative Assistant III3-5 years$63,095
Administrative Assistant IV5-7 years$74,012
$45,086 Administr...
$53,012 Administr...
$63,095 Administr...
$74,012 Administr...
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What Am I Worth?

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: $56,867
  • San Francisco: $56,244
  • Oakland: $55,059

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.
See More Skills
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
$50,947
13%
Analysis
$49,595
10%
Project Management
$49,144
9%
Collaboration
$48,242
7%
Leadership
$48,242
7%
Financial Services
$47,791
6%
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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 $50,428. While startup companies pay approximate $42,647.

Administrative Assistant I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$42,647
Growth Stage51~500$45,106
Established501~5000$48,698
Enterprise5000+$50,428

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$51,849$25.015%
Telecom$51,849$25.015%
Biotechnology$49,595$24.010%
Energy & Utilities$49,595$24.010%
Internet$49,595$24.010%

How Education impacts an Administrative Assistant I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Administrative Assistant Is 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 Administrative Assistant I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $44,365 and $47,070).

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%
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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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Administrative Assistant I

Salaries for an Administrative Assistant I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $38,421 in 2023 to around $38,072 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Administrative Assistant I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Administrative Assistant I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$38,421
2024
$38,210
2025
$38,072
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $38,421
2024 $38,210
2025 $38,072
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Administrative Assistant I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Administrative Assistant I

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FAQ about Administrative Assistant I

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Administrative Assistant I roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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