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Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in California (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salary grow from entry-level to senior in California? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

105% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • California salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$38,060
$3,172/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$55,400
$4,617/mo
Senior (P90)
$78,170
$6,514/mo

California vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$38,060
National: $33,791
+12.6%
Mid-Career (Median)
$55,400
National: $47,012
+17.8%
Senior (P90)
$78,170
National: $64,285
+21.6%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive in California spans from $38,060 at entry-level to $78,170 at senior level — a difference of $40,110 per year.

P10
$38K
P25
$46K
Median
$55K
P75
$65K
P90
$78K

Career Growth Premium: +105%

Senior Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives in California earn $40,110 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$40,110
Monthly Difference
+$3,342
Hourly Difference
+$19.28
Growth Multiple
2.1x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salary increases with experience in California, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $38,060 $3,172 $18.30
Early Career P25 $46,390 $3,866 $22.30
Mid-Career Median $55,400 $4,617 $26.63
Experienced P75 $65,400 $5,450 $31.44
Senior / Expert P90 $78,170 $6,514 $37.58
Key Insight

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive in California has a moderate salary progression with a 105% growth from entry-level ($38,060) to senior ($78,170). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($55,400) and P90 ($78,170) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How California Compares to Other States

Where does California rank for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive senior-level salaries? Compare California's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$84,290
Entry: $39K
+114%
2
$78,400
Entry: $41K
+89%
3
$78,300
Entry: $40K
+92%
4
$78,170
Entry: $38K
+105%
5
$76,790
Entry: $31K
+140%
6
$74,750
Entry: $43K
+73%
7
$72,800
Entry: $38K
+92%
8
$72,180
Entry: $36K
+100%
9
$70,320
Entry: $38K
+83%
10
$68,120
Entry: $38K
+77%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?

Entry-level Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives (10th percentile) earn approximately $38,060 per year, or $3,171 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $46,390. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive make?

Senior Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives (90th percentile) earn approximately $78,170 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $65,400. This represents a career premium of 105% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?

The career salary growth potential for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives is 105%. Entry-level professionals start at $38,060, while senior-level can earn up to $78,170 — a difference of $40,110 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives?

The highest-paying state for senior Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives is California, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $78,170 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for California from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within California.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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