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

  • Bay State College

    Bay State History & Mission
    For more than 60 years, Bay State College has been guided an enduring set of core values—Quality, Respect and Support. Over time, these values have brought us growth and success, and continue to do so today for our students.

    Mission Statement
    Bay State College is a private college whose mission is to provide students with a quality education that prepares them for professional careers and increasing levels of higher education. Bay State College accomplishes this mission by providing a learning environment where teaching excellence and student services are blended to support the uniqueness of individual students, preparing them to achieve their full potential as ethically and socially aware citizens.

  • Globe University

    At Globe University, we prepare students for exciting careers in high-value fields. Imagine getting paid for what you love doing. It all starts with career-based training at Globe University. We offer master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Our graduates are prepared for careers in business, health science, technology, legal science and creative media.

  • Concorde Career College

    With over 15 years of experience in preparing adults for rewarding careers, Concorde is a recognized leader in training Healthcare Professionals. We offer short, manageable programs with day and evening classes to fit your busy schedule.

  • Heald College

    Heald College provides hands-on educational programs that can help students prepare for careers in healthcare, business, legal and technology. Heald takes a very personal approach to career education, offering small classes, intimate work groups and support systems designed to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Even after students graduate, Heald provides career services assistance for life. We help locate employment opportunities anytime throughout our graduates’ careers. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. High school diploma or GED required.

  • Laurus College Online

    Welcome to 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.

  • Everest Institute

    Everest Colleges, Institutes and Universities provides postsecondary education programs that prepare students for careers in some of America’s fastest growing industries, including health care, business and technology. Everest takes a very personal approach to career education, offering small classes, intimate work groups and support systems designed to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Even after students graduate, Everest’s Career Services department is there to provide ongoing career coaching and help locating local employment opportunities. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

  • Wright Career College

    Wright is organized to provide students with an opportunity to receive specialized instruction in those subjects which are best suited to each student’s aptitude, interest, motivation and personality. In addition, the institution’s programs are designed to develop the fundamental skills and professionalism necessary to achieve the students’ employment objective. To implement this philosophy, the Institution utilizes flex-paced, individualized programs of study as well as more traditional lecture-laboratory learning systems.

  • Newbridge College

    Newbridge College, established in 1976, provides high-quality, career specific training and an emphasis on practical skills required by today’s employers.

  • National College

    National College is dedicated to the training and educating of men and women for a full life and a successful career in a number of general and particular fields. The College seeks to give students a broad competency in a field of specialization and an understanding of and respect for their own and others’ ideas and thoughts. Graduates of National College should understand and practice their responsibilities to their families, their fellow men and their communities by becoming effective and contributing citizens.

    As a collegiate institution offering educational credentials from diplomas to master degrees, National College strives to develop each student intellectually, culturally and socially. The College is interested in each individual becoming proficient in the disciplines necessary for his or her success, with the training necessary to be self-sufficient and enterprising and with the background necessary to be constantly expanding his or her intellectual and cultural horizons.

  • Interactive College of Technology

    As the marketplace continues its shift towards technology-based careers, Interactive College of Technology is ideally positioned to give you the skills you need to compete in several emerging industries. With an individualized, market-centered learning process that focuses on hands-on training and flexible schedules, you’ll have the opportunity to take advantage of:

    • Refresher/Up Grade Privileges
    • Career Placement Assistance Available
    • Financial Aid Available for Those Who Qualify
    • Industry-Recognized Certifications

    Because of the flexibility we offer to take classes at your own pace, you can receive your diploma in as little as 11 months.