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:
Administrative Assistant I Salaries by Percentile
| 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 |
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 11.89% |
| PowerPoint | 2.59% |
| Accounts Payable | 1.26% |
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.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Consulting | $50,956 | |
| Analysis | $49,603 | |
| Project Management | $49,152 |
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.
| 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 |
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.
| 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% |
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.
| 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 |
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, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $38,421 |
| 2024 | $38,210 |
| 2025 | $38,072 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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