Salary data · Bespree
Secretary and Administrative Assistant Salary in New York City
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the New York City area earn a median of $24.52/hr — based on BLS OEWS May 2024.
At median pay, that's roughly $51,002/year, $981/week, or $4,247/month (40-hour week, before taxes).
About secretaries and administrative assistants
Job duties, work environment, and education based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What secretaries and administrative assistants do
Secretaries and administrative assistants perform routine clerical and organizational tasks. They organize files, prepare documents, schedule appointments, manage correspondence, and support other staff. They use office software including word processing, spreadsheets, and database management. Some specialize in areas such as legal, medical, or executive administration.
Work environment
Administrative assistants work in nearly every industry, typically in office settings. They spend much of their time at a desk using computers, phones, and office equipment. Most work full time during standard business hours, though executives' assistants may need to work overtime. The work is generally low-risk but involves extended sitting and screen time.
How to become one
A high school diploma is typically the minimum requirement. Many administrative assistants benefit from vocational training in office administration. Some positions — especially medical and legal secretaries — require specialized training or postsecondary education. Proficiency with office software, organization skills, and communication ability are important for advancement.
Similar occupations
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — bls.gov/ooh. BLS content is in the public domain.
Hourly wage ranges
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th) | $18.00 | $37,440 |
| 25th percentile | $21.53 | $44,782 |
| Median (50th) | $24.52 | $51,002 |
| 75th percentile | $29.14 | $60,611 |
| Top earners (90th) | $32.67 | $67,954 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 · Annual estimate = hourly × 2,080 hrs · Actual annual income varies by hours worked and schedule.
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants — Hourly Pay Distribution
Percentile range from entry-level to top earners
How New York City compares
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants pay by metro
| Metro | Median/hr |
|---|---|
| New York City | $24.52 |
| New Haven | $30.10 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford | $27.62 |
| Los Angeles | $25.00 |
| Trenton-Princeton | $24.85 |
| Chicago | $23.89 |
| Philadelphia | $22.98 |
| Houston | $22.01 |
| Miami | $21.82 |
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants — Median Hourly Pay by Metro
Sorted by median pay, highest to lowest
Job outlook for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
National employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
🔴 Declining
-12.0% projected growth, 2024–2034
-204,300
2024–2034
~137,300
New + replacement
1,705,800
2024 estimate
High school diploma
Entry-level
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Published August 2025. National-level projections — local growth may differ.
Skills & qualifications
Key skills and knowledge areas from O*NET OnLine, plus representative tools compiled by Bespree for secretaries and administrative assistants.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Time Management
- Clerical
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Scheduling software
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Document management systems
- Photocopiers
Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree.
Commute-adjusted effective wage
What you actually earn after subtracting the cost of getting to work.
Effective hourly wage after estimated commute costs, based on a 40-hr work week.
| Commute mode | Monthly cost | Hourly impact | Effective wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commute cost (baseline) | — | — | $24.52 |
| NYC Subway (unlimited monthly) | ~$132/mo | −$0.76/hr | $23.76/hr |
| Driving + parking (estimate) | ~$550/mo | −$3.17/hr | $21.35/hr |
Methodology: Commute cost is deducted from median hourly wage assuming 2,080 working hours per year (52 weeks × 40 hrs). Costs are directional estimates based on published transit fares or AAA average variable driving costs. Actual costs vary by distance, schedule, vehicle, and commute days.
NYC Subway (unlimited monthly): MTA 30-day unlimited pass, 2024 rate.
Driving + parking (estimate): AAA avg variable cost + typical NYC street/garage parking.
Local job market
—
No current paid openings on Bespree
Public-sector pay signals
—
No current imported salary signals for this role
BLS estimates 122,270 secretaries and administrative assistants employed in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area, or 2.5 per 1,000 jobs. (BLS OEWS May 2024)
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Data source: Wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, BLS OEWS May 2024. Job outlook data is from the BLS Employment Projections program (BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034). BLS data is in the public domain. Occupation profile content summarized from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after retrieval. Wage figures are estimates and do not constitute a guarantee of earnings. Actual pay depends on employer, experience, certifications, and hours worked. Weekly and monthly earnings shown assume a 40-hour work week and are pre-tax estimates. Commute cost figures are directional estimates based on published transit fares and AAA average variable driving cost data; actual commute costs vary.