Administrative Assistant Salary

Administrative assistants enjoy a combination of job security and excellent compensation for their services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for administrative assistants are expected to grow by 11% over the next decade, especially in the booming health care industry. As smaller industries continue to diversify, they too will be in need of administrative assistants to keep their offices running smoothly and on-schedule. It’s a great time to get into the administrative assisting profession, no matter what your experience level is. In order to determine what your potential salary is, you will have to consider a few salient factors.

Determining Salary Factors

The average salary of an administrative assistant depends on a few determining factors. The first is the job title. There are as many different kinds of administrative assistants as there are industries. Certain offices, such as law firms and medical practices, require administrative assistants to have a unique skill set pertaining to their field. Medical administrative assistants and legal assistants must have formal training in their fields in order to find employment. Their compensation is based on the amount of work they complete and the complexity of the tasks they are assigned.

Executive administrative assistants work closely with top-level executives. They must have the knowledge and skill-set to review statistical documents and prepare technical reports. Virtual administrative assistants work from home and therefore set their own pay rate.

Another determining factor is experience. The more experience an administrative assistant has, the more valuable their service is to their employer. Although there is no substitute for experience, enrolling in a training program or seminar will prepare you with the skills necessary to find a plum position in the administrative assistant field. The more diverse the skill-set, the more valuable you will be to your employer. Currently, administrative assistants with strong computer skills such as database management and storage can command a higher salary than those without such skills.

Finally, a very important element in determining the average salary of an administrative assistant is location. The typical salary will vary based on the cost of living and average salary in the area. Administrative assistants in urban areas earn more than those in rural locales, with major cities such as Chicago and New York offering the largest compensation.

Average Salary

Keeping all the above factors in mind, it is possible to determine the average salary of an administrative assistant. General administrative assistants earn an average of $32,000 per year. The highest earners have the potential to earn $45,000 or above. Administrative assistants employed by government institutions typically earn the most, while those employed in lower schools and employment services earn the least.

Executive administrative assistants earn an average of $45,860 per year, although they can also earn over $67,000 in the right environment. Executive assistants who take on management responsibilities, such as overseeing clerical work and training new hires for large corporations and enterprises, earn the most.

All Figures courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment & Wages database.

 

 

Top Administrative Assistant Schools

  • Career Point College Online

    Imagine an exciting new career in the medical, business, legal or computer fields. Career Point College is a great place to learn all of the skills you will need to succeed in these industries and get the future you want! In as few as eight months for a diploma, 15 months for an Associate’s, and 18 months for a Bachelor’s (with an Associate’s first), you could be prepared to enter the job marketplace. Whether it is because of our accelerated programs, hands-on training, personal attention, flexible schedules, lifetime placement assistance or lifetime refresher training, you will see Career Point College is the right school for you!

  • Potomac College

    Potomac College offers students the opportunity to take advantage of all of the same courses, programs, and specializations online that are offered at either of their two physical campuses. This allows students the convenience of flexibility and makes it an ideal institution for fulltime working adults, military persons, or anyone with a busy, demanding schedule seeking to pursue a college degree. In fact, many of our students residing in a close proximity to either our Washington, DC or Herndon, VA campuses have chosen to take both online and on-campus courses for an accommodating blended program.

    Imagine being able to pursue your degree at a pace and time that works with your busy schedule. Potomac College offers practical and tailored curricula to a diverse community of working adults and students. It is our goal to make education obtainable regardless of a student’s schedule and finances. Our academic advisors are trained to assess your educational needs and tailor a curriculum that matches your career goals and expected time of completion.

  • Harrison College

    Harrison College is a nationally accredited college with more than 75,000 graduates. We offer a unique learning environment for students who want to pursue a career-focused, quality education and complete their degree in a student-centered atmosphere. In order to achieve your goals, we believe it’s important for us to take the time to get to know you. In fact, our students are often surprised at the one-on-one attention they receive here as compared to other institutions. You’ll experience it throughout every stage of your Harrison experience, from our Admissions Representatives to our Career Services staff and financial aid analysts to our course instructors. Each of us believes it is our goal to help you achieve yours.

  • TCI - Technical Career Institute

    TCI College is a New York City based technical school that offers continuing technical education to students who want on-site specialized training in competitive fields. Technical Career Institutes provides students with technical training such as web site design, health information technology, electronic engineering technology, and heating ventilation and air conditioning. TCI also offers career placement assistance upon graduation. Visit TCI College in New York City located in lower Manhattan.

  • Career Point College

    Imagine an exciting new career in the medical, business, legal or computer fields. Career Point College is a great place to learn all of the skills you will need to succeed in these industries and get the future you want! In as little as 8-11 months for a Diploma or 18 months for an Associate’s Degree, you can graduate and join the workforce. Whether it is because of our accelerated programs, hands-on training, personal attention, flexible schedules, on-site daycare, lifetime placement assistance or lifetime refresher training, you will see Career Point College is the right school for you!

  • ASA The College For Excellence

    ASA The College For Excellence specializes in offering a superior value in higher education, with programs that balance traditional academic preparation with professional training and hands-on experience. 80% of Graduating Students get into the career field of their choice and many go on to advanced degrees!

  • Milan Institute

    We believe that each student at Milan Institute holds the key to his or her own success. Our staff and instructors strive to help each student develop the professionalism that will open a world of creativity and knowledge. Milan Institute offers a college atmosphere conducive to learning and individual growth. Excellent training and job placement assistance enable our students to become enterprising professionals.

  • Salter College

    Salter College, a private two-year college, offers an enriching balance of liberal arts and professional career education. We are dedicated to meeting the needs of our students through quality education and support services while fostering an environment that inspires academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, and an interest in life-long learning and continued higher education.

  • West Virginia Junior College

    Our programs are designed for you to be job-ready in months with career-focused, hands-on training in a friendly, small-school environment where you receive individual attention.

    As a WVJC student, you will have access to modern classrooms and laboratory equipment, individualized attention in a small class setting, and job placement assistance.

    Along with academic credentials and certifications, our faculty brings industry knowledge to the classroom, helping students understand both theory and real-world experiences.

  • Laurus College

    Our mission is to provide every student with a quality education and a quality experience that prepares you for success in the global marketplace of the modern world. To do this we provide focused instruction and personalized caring to every student. Our emphasis on career opportunities in all of our program offerings helps open up avenues of opportunity that previously may have gone unrealized.