How Much Does a Secretary Make in 2025?
Secretaries maintain and organize office tasks, implement procedures, and carry out additional administrative duties such as handling phone calls and managing files. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that secretaries will see a growth of 1% over the next 10 years.
According to our report, the average secretary earns a base hourly rate of $22, which translates to an annual salary of $45,100 as of March 31, 2025. However, pay varies by experience, industry, location, and certifications, which will be discussed later.
What is the Average Secretary Salary?
As of March 31, 2025, the average secretary salary in the United States is $45,100 per year. For the hourly wage, secretaries have an average salary of $22 per hour, with rates ranging from $18 to $26 per hour.
2025 Secretary Average Salary: $45,100 per year ($22 per hour)
Meanwhile, the average weekly and monthly salaries for a secretary are $867 and $3,758, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for a Secretary?
According to a recent Salary.com report, the salary range for this job title starts at $37,649 and can reach as high as $53,315 per year.
However, as noted earlier, the salary range for secretaries varies based on factors such as education, experience level, and location. Employers in different industries may also offer varied pay scales.
Secretary Salary Range: $37,649 to $53,315 per year ($18 to $26 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18 | $724 | $3,137 | $37,649 |
| 25th | $20 | $792 | $3,433 | $41,200 |
| 50th (Median) | $22 | $867 | $3,758 | $45,100 |
| 75th | $24 | $950 | $4,117 | $49,400 |
| 90th | $26 | $1,025 | $4,443 | $53,315 |
Secretary Salary Factors
Several factors influence a secretary's salary, including education, location, experience, and skills. Below is a breakdown of each factor and its impact on earnings.
Years of Experience
The average salary for secretaries varies by experience, ranging from $44,110 per year for entry-level positions to $48,630 per year for those with over eight years of experience.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Secretary | < 1 | $44,110 |
| Intermediate Level Secretary | 1-2 | $44,984 |
| Senior Level Secretary | 2-4 | $46,833 |
| Specialist Level Secretary | 5-8 | $48,437 |
| Expert Level Secretary | 8+ | $48,630 |
Place of Work
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the specific workplace significantly influences secretaries salaries. Secretaries who serve in professional, scientific, and technical services earn as much as $49,920 in 2023, which is higher than those in healthcare and social assistance.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $49,920 |
| Government | $49,320 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | $47,090 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | $46,960 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | $42,060 |
Skill Set
Secretaries with in-demand skills can increase their salaries. A search through Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report showed that secretaries with procurement skills can earn 11.39% more than those without.
Also, a secretary with calendaring skills is more likely to experience a salary increase of 10.18%, followed by skills like travel management and billing. To determine salary growth, employers analyze the number of years of experience, certifications, and specialized skills that a secretary brings to the role.
| Skill | Demand (%) | Salary Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Procurement | 3.48% | +11.39% |
| Calendaring | 3.27% | +10.18% |
| Travel Management | 6.93% | +8.78% |
| Billing | 7.58% | +5.79% |
| Presentation Software | 14.23% | +4.23% |
| Administrative Support | 37.95% | +2.59% |
Secretary Salary by City and State
The location of a secretary can impact their salary. This information is valuable for analyzing salary trends, negotiating pay, or planning a career in the industry.
Highest Paying States for Secretary
Based on Salary.com compensation data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average salary for secretaries in the United States, at $50,200 per year, followed by California at $49,700.
- District of Columbia: $50,200 ($24.13 per hour)
- California: $49,700 ($23.89 per hour)
- New Jersey: $49,400 ($23.75 per hour)
- Massachusetts: $49,100 ($23.60 per hour)
- Washington: $48,600 ($23.36 per hour)
Secretary Salary by State
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $50,200 |
| California | $49,700 |
| New Jersey | $49,400 |
| Massachusetts | $49,100 |
| New York | $48,100 |
| Washington | $48,600 |
| Rhode Island | $47,100 |
| Hawaii | $47,100 |
| Maryland | $46,500 |
| Illinois | $46,100 |
| Minnesota | $46,100 |
| Colorado | $46,000 |
| Nevada | $45,300 |
| New Hampshire | $45,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,000 |
| Virginia | $45,200 |
| Delaware | $45,800 |
| Oregon | $45,800 |
| Florida | $42,800 |
| Georgia | $43,600 |
| Maine | $43,900 |
| Michigan | $44,500 |
| North Dakota | $44,600 |
| Ohio | $44,100 |
| Wisconsin | $44,600 |
| Texas | $44,200 |
| Vermont | $44,200 |
| Indiana | $43,700 |
| North Carolina | $43,300 |
| Iowa | $43,200 |
| Kansas | $42,900 |
| Utah | $42,900 |
| Kentucky | $42,400 |
| Louisiana | $42,900 |
| Idaho | $42,100 |
| Montana | $42,100 |
| Nebraska | $42,500 |
| South Carolina | $42,600 |
| New Mexico | $41,600 |
| Alaska | $49,100 |
| Tennessee | $41,800 |
| Arizona | $43,900 |
| Arkansas | $41,100 |
| Alabama | $41,400 |
| Mississippi | $40,200 |
| South Dakota | $40,500 |
| West Virginia | $40,600 |
Highest Paying Cities for Secretary
Salary.com data shows that San Jose, California offers the highest pay for secretaries at $56,600 per year or $27.21 per hour. The top six highest-paying cities for secretaries are:
- San Jose, CA: $56,600 per year
- San Francisco, CA: $56,400 per year
- Oakland, CA: $55,000 per year
- New York, NY: $52,700 per year
- Queens Village, NY: $52,300 per year
- Paramus, NJ: $51,900 per year
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Secretary
Secretaries can boost their salary by gaining experience, developing in-demand skills, and advancing within their roles.
- Gain industry experience: More experience in procurement leads to higher pay. Entry-level secretaries earn about $44,110 per year, while those with 8+ years make around $48,630 per year, according to Salary.com reports.
- Develop high-demand skills: Improve and develop skills like procurement, calendaring, and travel management. These skills can lead to higher salaries, especially for a secretary.
- Negotiate your compensation: Know the average salary for your role and location. Show how you help the company grow and ask for a raise. As of March 31, 2025, the average secretary salary in the United States is $45,100 per year.
- Work in a high-paying industry: Some industries and cities offer higher salaries than others. Consider moving into professional, scientific, and technical services, as these fields often provide better compensation.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of March 31, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for secretaries in the United States is $42,097.2 (unweighted).
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$45,100/ year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$35,424/ year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$46,212/ year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$37,805/ year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$45,945/ year
