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Administrative Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Administrative Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Administrative Manager in the United States is $132,199 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $168,364
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,712 to $151,129
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $110,254

Key Factors That Influence Administrative Manager Salaries

An Administrative Manager'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 Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Administrative Manager'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:

  • Office Manager (3-5 years): $84,542
  • Office Manager, Senior (5+ years): $97,299
  • Administrative Manager (5+ years): $132,199
  • Administrative Director (5+ years): $162,799
  • Chief Administrative Officer (5+ years): $311,056
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Office Manager3-5 years$84,542
Office Manager, Senior5+ years$97,299
Administrative Manager5+ years$132,199
Administrative Director5+ years$162,799
Chief Administrative Officer5+ years$311,056

Top Paying Cities for Administrative Managers

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: $166,743
  • San Francisco: $164,917
  • Oakland: $161,441

What Skills Can Increase an Administrative Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.59% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 1.45% Job Postings): Patient care refers to the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of physical and mental well-being through services offered by health professionals.
  • Advertising (Mentioned in 0.97% Job Postings): Advertising is a marketing communication that employs an openly sponsored, non-personal message to promote or sell a product, service or idea.:465 Sponsors of advertising are typically businesses wishing to promote their products or services. Advertising is differentiated from public relations in that an advertiser pays for and has control over the message. It differs from personal selling in that the message is non-personal, i.e., not directed to a particular individual.:661,672 Advertising is communicated through various mass media, including traditional media such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, outdoor advertising or direct mail; and new media such as search results, blogs, social media, websites or text messages. The actual presentation of the message in a medium is referred to as an advertisement, or "ad" or advert for short. Commercial ads often seek to generate increased consumption of their products or services through "branding", which associates a product name or image with certain qualities in the minds of consumers. On the other hand, ads that intend to elicit an immediate sale are known as direct-response advertising. Non-commercial entities that advertise more than consumer products or services include political parties, interest groups, religious organizations and governmental agencies. Non-profit organizations may use free modes of persuasion, such as a public service announcement. Advertising may also help to reassure employees or shareholders that a company is viable or successful.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.59%
Patient Care 1.45%
Advertising 0.97%

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 Manager's salary.

  • CPT Coding: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
  • KPI: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CPT Coding $165,249
25%
KPI $162,605
23%
Analysis $161,283
22%

Administrative Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Administrative Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $147,738. While startup companies pay approximate $124,971.

Administrative Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $124,971
Growth Stage 51~500 $132,170
Established 501~5000 $142,660
Enterprise 5000+ $147,738

Administrative Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Administrative Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Administrative Manager positions in Telecom or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Administrative Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Administrative Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$178,469$86.035%
Financial Services$171,859$83.030%
Pharmaceuticals$169,215$81.028%
Biotechnology$165,249$79.025%
Internet$158,639$76.020%

How Education impacts an Administrative Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Administrative Manager 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 Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $144,147 and $155,793.

Administrative Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Administrative Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 17.1%
High School 17.1%
Associates 17.1%
Bachelors 44.3%
Masters 21.4%
Doctorate 0.0%

Administrative Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Administrative Manager'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
$120,712
Average $132,199/year
$151,129
$10,059
Average $11,017/month
$12,594
$2,321
Average $2,542/week
$2,906
$58
Average $64/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $151,129 $12,594 $2,906 $73
Average $132,199 $11,017 $2,542 $64
25th Percentile $120,712 $10,059 $2,321 $58

Administrative Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Administrative Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Administrative Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $162,799 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Administrative Manager

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

Common company salaries for Administrative Manager

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

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FAQ about Administrative Manager

1. Where can an Administrative Manager earn the most?

An Administrative Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Administrative Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Administrative Manager is $166,743.

2. What is the highest pay for Administrative Manager?

The highest pay for Administrative Manager is $168,364.

3. What is the lowest pay for Administrative Manager?

The lowest pay for Administrative Manager is $110,254.

4. What are the responsibilities of Administrative Manager?

Manages the daily operations of an organization's staff and service functions. Oversees various internal service areas that typically include administrative/office/financial operations, facility maintenance/space planning, security, hospitality services, equipment and supply procurement, vendor management, and others. Tracks capital and operating budget spending. Implements processes and policies that support efficient service delivery and meet the organization's changing needs. Sets performance goals and service targets for staff used to evaluate performance and to drive continuous improvement. Utilizes data analytics to measure activity and drive continuous improvement. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Administrative Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Administrative Manager roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

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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