Principal Administrative Associate Salary in the United States
How much does a Principal Administrative Associate make in the United States?
As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Administrative Associate in the United States is $63,722 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, a Principal Administrative Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,104
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,328 to $70,203
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,506
10%$51,506
50% (Median)$63,722
90%$76,104
Principal Administrative Associate Salaries by Percentile
Key Factors That Influence Principal Administrative Associate Salaries
A Principal Administrative Associate'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 Principal Administrative Associate Salaries?
Experience is a primary driver of a Principal Administrative Associate'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:
Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $62,834
Early Career (1-2 years): $63,101
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $65,054
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $67,366
Expert (over 8 years): $67,681
Levels
Salary
Entry Level Principal Administrative Associate
$62,834
Intermediate Level Principal Administrative Associate
$63,101
Senior Level Principal Administrative Associate
$65,054
Specialist Level Principal Administrative Associate
How Do Principal Administrative Associate Salaries Vary from State to State?
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 Principal Administrative Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
District of Columbia: $70,553.
California: $70,286.
Massachusetts: $69,349.
District of Columbia$70,553
California$70,286
Massachusetts$69,349
Washington$69,094
New Jersey$69,068
Alaska$68,979
Connecticut$68,100
New York$67,743
Hawaii$66,602
Rhode Island$66,067
Maryland$65,704
Minnesota$65,207
Colorado$65,016
Illinois$64,952
Oregon$64,710
Delaware$64,531
New Hampshire$64,419
Virginia$64,168
Pennsylvania$63,435
Nevada$63,066
North Dakota$62,945
Michigan$62,754
Wisconsin$62,684
Vermont$62,543
Texas$62,155
Maine$62,129
Arizona$62,091
Ohio$62,046
Georgia$61,460
Indiana$61,167
Wyoming$61,110
Utah$61,020
Iowa$60,982
Kansas$60,676
Louisiana$60,587
North Carolina$60,555
Missouri$60,542
Florida$60,294
Montana$60,160
Nebraska$60,033
Kentucky$59,963
South Carolina$59,708
Tennessee$59,548
Idaho$59,485
New Mexico$59,020
Oklahoma$58,918
Alabama$58,542
South Dakota$57,911
Arkansas$57,567
West Virginia$57,382
Mississippi$56,827
Top Paying Cities for Principal Administrative Associates
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: $80,373
San Francisco: $79,493
Oakland: $77,818
San Jose, CA$80,373
San Francisco, CA$79,493
Oakland, CA$77,818
New York, NY$73,369
Paramus, NJ$72,477
Queens Village, NY$72,474
Passaic, NJ$72,413
Bergenfield, NJ$72,408
Stamford, CT$72,267
Huntington, NY$72,241
Newark, NJ$71,770
Bridgeport, CT$71,636
Vallejo, CA$71,509
New Brunswick, NJ$71,484
Petaluma, CA$71,445
Middlesex, NJ$71,324
Somerset, NJ$71,280
Santa Cruz, CA$71,197
Boston, MA$70,808
Monterey, CA$70,584
Seattle, WA$70,439
Santa Rosa, CA$70,426
Los Angeles, CA$70,407
Juneau, AK$70,241
Washington, DC$70,171
Orange, CA$69,944
Santa Ana, CA$69,776
Long Beach, CA$69,712
Anaheim, CA$69,699
Anchorage, AK$69,667
Santa Maria, CA$69,476
Everett, WA$69,464
Danbury, CT$69,239
Bremerton, WA$69,151
Tacoma, WA$68,922
New Suffolk, NY$68,921
Sacramento, CA$68,903
Santa Barbara, CA$68,833
Trenton, NJ$68,763
San Diego, CA$68,763
Brockton, MA$68,693
Fairbanks, AK$68,536
Lompoc, CA$68,374
Lowell, MA$68,322
Ventura, CA$68,310
Nashua, NH$68,297
Stockton, CA$68,291
Modesto, CA$67,826
Poughkeepsie, NY$67,686
Olympia, WA$67,565
Kennewick, WA$67,565
New Haven, CT$67,539
Lawrence, MA$67,310
Hartford, CT$67,246
Riverside, CA$67,233
New Bedford, MA$67,170
Richland, WA$67,170
Bakersfield, CA$67,080
San Bernardino, CA$67,055
New Britain, CT$67,048
Atlantic City, NJ$67,048
New London, CT$67,023
Norwich, CT$67,004
Portsmouth, NH$66,991
Boulder, CO$66,856
Portland, OR$66,768
Worcester, MA$66,762
Minneapolis, MN$66,564
Philadelphia, PA$66,475
Honolulu, HI$66,265
Saint Paul, MN$66,234
Vineland, NJ$66,220
Providence, RI$66,035
Chicago, IL$65,851
Bellingham, WA$65,774
Springfield, MA$65,723
Baltimore, MD$65,704
Chico, CA$65,545
Pittsfield, MA$65,373
Manchester, NH$65,252
Spokane, WA$64,971
Denver, CO$64,965
Albany, NY$64,665
Troy, NY$64,640
Nassau, NY$64,572
Schenectady, NY$64,506
Wilmington, DE$64,455
Burlington, VT$64,366
Salem, OR$64,340
Portland, ME$64,143
Yakima, WA$64,079
Rochester, MN$63,882
Reno, NV$63,850
Fresno, CA$63,850
Milwaukee, WI$63,792
Detroit, MI$63,729
Ann Arbor, MI$63,718
Allentown, PA$63,709
Colorado Springs, CO$63,601
Syracuse, NY$63,569
Carson City, NV$63,569
Houston, TX$63,480
Eugene, OR$63,448
Gary, IN$63,372
Springfield, OR$63,321
Bismarck, ND$63,308
Galveston, TX$63,263
Medford, OR$63,168
Fort Collins, CO$63,142
Concord, NH$63,110
Austin, TX$63,091
Mesa, AZ$62,958
Reading, PA$62,951
Phoenix, AZ$62,945
Dallas, TX$62,926
Saint Cloud, MN$62,864
Madison, WI$62,779
Utica, NY$62,607
Rochester, NY$62,505
Des Moines, IA$62,499
Raleigh, NC$62,492
Atlanta, GA$62,397
Battle Creek, MI$62,378
Salt Lake City, UT$62,359
Lancaster, PA$62,263
Harrisburg, PA$62,174
Kansas City, MO$62,110
Champaign, IL$62,097
Kansas City, KS$62,097
Fort Worth, TX$62,091
Columbus, OH$62,080
Boca Raton, FL$62,065
Pittsburgh, PA$62,040
Richmond, VA$62,014
Indianapolis, IN$62,002
Cleveland, OH$61,995
Las Vegas, NV$61,919
Cincinnati, OH$61,919
Petersburg, VA$61,823
Huntsville, AL$61,728
Lansing, MI$61,685
Lebanon, PA$61,677
Pueblo, CO$61,670
Appleton, WI$61,651
Buffalo, NY$61,626
Dayton, OH$61,607
Racine, WI$61,594
Charlotte, NC$61,588
Saint Louis, MO$61,568
York, PA$61,530
Elkhart, IN$61,530
Gastonia, NC$61,518
Billings, MT$61,503
Beaumont, TX$61,486
Lorain, OH$61,473
Benton Harbor, MI$61,460
Toledo, OH$61,447
Binghamton, NY$61,415
Rock Hill, SC$61,409
Rockford, IL$61,377
Springfield, IL$61,352
Elyria, OH$61,345
Fargo, ND$61,345
Flagstaff, AZ$61,301
Fort Lauderdale, FL$61,263
Duluth, MN$61,224
Miami, FL$61,224
Cheyenne, WY$61,180
Grand Forks, ND$61,180
Bangor, ME$61,039
Cedar Rapids, IA$60,969
Durham, NC$60,943
Louisville, KY$60,938
Grand Rapids, MI$60,925
Hialeah, FL$60,918
Casper, WY$60,829
Scranton, PA$60,753
New Orleans, LA$60,734
Virginia Beach, VA$60,727
Akron, OH$60,695
Peoria, IL$60,613
Sarasota, FL$60,600
Nashville, TN$60,555
Omaha, NE$60,555
Green Bay, WI$60,555
Baton Rouge, LA$60,523
Charleston, SC$60,511
Jamestown, NY$60,479
Davenport, IA$60,479
Tucson, AZ$60,447
Saint Petersburg, FL$60,409
Tampa, FL$60,396
Evansville, IN$60,358
Port Arthur, TX$60,358
Bradenton, FL$60,332
Santa Fe, NM$60,217
Orlando, FL$60,103
Clearwater, FL$60,084
Canton, OH$59,950
La Crosse, WI$59,950
Albuquerque, NM$59,912
Newport News, VA$59,905
High Point, NC$59,886
Ogden, UT$59,861
Corpus Christi, TX$59,810
Norfolk, VA$59,771
Laramie, WY$59,771
Rock Island, IL$59,733
Saginaw, MI$59,720
Jacksonville, FL$59,714
Salisbury, NC$59,701
Boise, ID$59,689
Moline, IL$59,657
Fort Myers, FL$59,638
Memphis, TN$59,625
Tulsa, OK$59,593
Waterloo, IA$59,555
Spartanburg, SC$59,491
Lincoln, NE$59,459
Fort Wayne, IN$59,446
Provo, UT$59,440
Cedar Falls, IA$59,364
San Antonio, TX$59,338
Greensboro, NC$59,313
South Bend, IN$59,306
Savannah, GA$59,236
Muskegon, MI$59,211
Birmingham, AL$59,204
Winston Salem, NC$59,173
Lake Charles, LA$59,020
Anderson, IN$59,007
Lexington, KY$58,988
Augusta, GA$58,969
Greenville, SC$58,969
Lima, OH$58,918
Wichita, KS$58,911
Tuscaloosa, AL$58,911
Columbia, SC$58,854
Springfield, OH$58,841
Asheville, NC$58,739
Bloomington, IN$58,695
Knoxville, TN$58,465
Shreveport, LA$58,459
Wilmington, NC$58,376
Roanoke, VA$58,376
Topeka, KS$58,261
Frankfort, KY$58,254
Oklahoma City, OK$58,210
Chillicothe, OH$58,185
Longview, TX$58,178
Melbourne, FL$58,172
Sioux Falls, SD$58,070
Mobile, AL$58,064
Terre Haute, IN$58,038
Altoona, PA$58,000
Amarillo, TX$57,955
Killeen, TX$57,936
Fayetteville, AR$57,885
Chattanooga, TN$57,866
Sioux City, IA$57,809
Idaho Falls, ID$57,796
Lynchburg, VA$57,745
Gainesville, FL$57,662
Portsmouth, OH$57,630
Little Rock, AR$57,618
Lafayette, LA$57,592
Youngstown, OH$57,592
Daytona Beach, FL$57,554
Clarksville, TN$57,548
Pensacola, FL$57,541
Temple, TX$57,537
Hopkinsville, KY$57,350
Erie, PA$57,337
Florence, SC$57,312
Charleston, WV$57,210
Great Falls, MT$57,178
Macon, GA$57,089
Tallahassee, FL$57,082
Fayetteville, NC$57,070
Waco, TX$57,057
Helena, MT$57,012
Pine Bluff, AR$56,988
Vincennes, IN$56,910
Lubbock, TX$56,885
Alamogordo, NM$56,847
Twin Falls, ID$56,789
Rapid City, SD$56,770
Jackson, MS$56,655
Huntington, WV$56,651
Greenville, MS$56,649
Parkersburg, WV$56,584
Montgomery, AL$56,573
Wichita Falls, TX$56,509
Springfield, MO$56,509
Biloxi, MS$56,477
Monroe, LA$56,413
Johnstown, PA$56,369
Sumter, SC$56,343
Columbus, GA$56,337
Pascagoula, MS$56,216
Abilene, TX$56,216
Kingsport, TN$56,050
Albany, GA$56,050
Gulfport, MS$56,031
Alexandria, LA$55,821
Fort Smith, AR$55,661
El Paso, TX$55,489
Las Cruces, NM$55,203
Harlingen, TX$55,041
Pocatello, ID$55,030
Florence, AL$54,948
Brownsville, TX$54,935
Mcallen, TX$54,801
Dothan, AL$54,712
Columbus, MS$54,333
Altus, OK$54,036
Lawton, OK$53,915
Pierre, SD$53,686
What Skills Can Increase a Principal Administrative Associate's Salary?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
Leadership (Mentioned in 10.53% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
Change Management (Mentioned in 2.63% Job Postings): Change management (sometimes abbreviated as CM) is a collective term for all approaches to prepare , support and help individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational change. The most common change drivers include: technological evolution, process reviews, crisis, and consumer habit changes; pressure from new business entrants, acquisitions, mergers, and organizational restructuring. It includes methods that redirect or redefine the use of resources, business process, budget allocations, or other modes of operation that significantly change a company or organization. Organizational change management (OCM) considers the full organization and what needs to change, while change management may be used solely to refer to how people and teams are affected by such organizational transition. It deals with many different disciplines, from behavioral and social sciences to information technology and business solutions.
Inventory Control (Mentioned in 2.63% Job Postings): Inventory control or stock control can be broadly defined as "the activity of checking a shop’s stock." However, a more focused definition takes into account the more science-based, methodical practice of not only verifying a business' inventory but also focusing on the many related facets of inventory management (such as forecasting future demand) "within an organisation to meet the demand placed upon that business economically." Other facets of inventory control include supply chain management, production control, financial flexibility, and customer satisfaction. At the root of inventory control, however, is the inventory control problem, which involves determining when to order, how much to order, and the logistics (where) of those decisions. An extension of inventory control is the inventory control system. This may come in the form of a technological system and its programmed software used for managing various aspects of inventory problems , or it may refer to a methodology (which may include the use of technological barriers) for handling loss prevention in a business.
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 a Principal Administrative Associate's salary.
Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
Service Delivery: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
Returns Processing: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
Principal Administrative Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Principal Administrative Associate roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential
by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries).
Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Retail & Wholesale,
offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely,
Principal Administrative Associate positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay,
as this sector often view Principal Administrative Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industry for a Principal Administrative Associate
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale
$76,467
$37.0
20%
How Education impacts a Principal Administrative Associate's Salary?
Your level of education can impact your salary potential.
While many Principal Administrative Associates enter the field with a No Diploma degree,
higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data,
the median salary for a Principal Administrative Associate with a No Diploma is between
$56,405
and $60,047).
Principal Administrative Associate Salaries by Degree Level
$64,900
$63,700
$62,500
$61,300
$60,100
$58,900
$57,700
$56,500
No Diploma
High School
Associates
Bachelors
Masters
Doctorate
Typical Education for Principal Administrative Associate
Degree Level
% of user with this level of education
No Diploma
4.3%
High School
26.1%
Associates
39.1%
Bachelors
30.4%
Masters
0.0%
Doctorate
0.0%
Typical Education for Principal Administrative Associate
Principal Administrative Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how a Principal Administrative Associate'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.
Hourly
Monthly
Weekly
Yearly
Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$57,328
Average$63,722/year
$70,203
$4,777
Average$5,310/month
$5,850
$1,102
Average$1,225/week
$1,350
$28
Average$31/hour
$34
Annual Salary
Monthly Pay
Weekly Pay
Hourly Wage
75th Percentile
$70,203
$5,850
$1,350
$34
Average
$63,722
$5,310
$1,225
$31
25th Percentile
$57,328
$4,777
$1,102
$28
Salaries of Jobs related to Principal Administrative Associate
Associate Director or Research Principal$200,499
Principal Research Associate$164,183
Associate Principal Engineer$123,895
Principal Associate Account Manager$102,716
Associate Principal Scientist$99,306
Associate Principal$98,493
Geotechnical Associate Principal$84,419
Principal Clinical Research Associate$59,534
Administrative Assistant to the Principal$55,233
Administrative Associate$52,204
Associate Principal Architect$52,127
Salary Trends for Principal Administrative Associate
Salaries for a Principal Administrative Associate can change over time,
reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy.
The median salary decreased from $77,859 in 2023
to around $76,820 in 2025,
reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy.
For a detailed analysis of Principal Administrative Associate salary trends,
.
Average Annual Salary of Principal Administrative Associate Over Time
$???
$77,859
$77,340
$76,820
$???
$???
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
Year
Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023
$77,859
2024
$77,340
2025
$76,820
2026
View More
2027
View More
Most common benefits for Principal Administrative Associate
Social Security
401 (k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
Common company salaries for Principal Administrative Associate
Here are companies hiring for Principal Administrative Associate and their salaries, click below for more details.
S$57,183/per year
Subway IP LLCHospitality & Leisurethe United States
K$49,677/per year
KesemHospitality & Leisurethe United States
C$49,562/per year
Chili's Grill & BarHospitality & Leisurethe United States
I$49,371/per year
Inspire Brands IncHospitality & Leisurethe United States
C$49,286/per year
Compass Group North AmericaHospitality & Leisurethe United States
R$49,245/per year
RotiHospitality & Leisurethe United States
H$47,974/per year
Henn Na Hotel New YorkHospitality & Leisurethe United States
C$47,736/per year
Centennial Soccer Club IncHospitality & Leisurethe United States
R$47,307/per year
Raising Restaurants LLCHospitality & Leisurethe United States
D$46,626/per year
Darden Concepts IncHospitality & Leisurethe United States
P$45,430/per year
Paul CaffeHospitality & Leisurethe United States
N$45,191/per year
Numatec IncHospitality & Leisurethe United States
T$44,620/per year
The Lost Explorer MezcalHospitality & Leisurethe United States
B$43,911/per year
Bunker Hills Event CenterHospitality & Leisurethe United States
M$42,738/per year
MichealsHospitality & Leisurethe United States
F$42,556/per year
FA SelangorHospitality & Leisurethe United States
G$41,529/per year
Golden B EnterprisesHospitality & Leisurethe United States
G$41,484/per year
GNCC RacingHospitality & Leisurethe United States
T$40,926/per year
Tasty Restaurant Group LLCHospitality & Leisurethe United States
N$40,605/per year
nhl.com/predatorsHospitality & Leisurethe United States
W$39,699/per year
West SpartanburgHospitality & Leisurethe United States
N$38,510/per year
Northeast Nebraska Track and FieldHospitality & Leisurethe United States
B$38,475/per year
BattinoHospitality & Leisurethe United States
C$38,262/per year
Crofton Park TavernHospitality & Leisurethe United States
C$35,814/per year
Cherokee Nation Entertainment LLCHospitality & Leisurethe United States
Find Your Next Principal Administrative Associate Job
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Administrative Associate 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 Principal Administrative Associate
1. What industry pays the highest salary for Principal Administrative Associate?
The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Principal Administrative Associate roles,
with salaries approximately 20% 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.
