Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant Salary
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants earn a median $45,930 a year nationally. Office and Administrative Support Occupations
U.S. median
$45,930
$22.08 per hour
Range
$35,930 – $60,530
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
961,610
across the U.S.
▲2.9%
Pay trend: The median for medical secretaries and administrative assistants in the U.S. rose from $44,640 (May 2024) to $45,930 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What medical secretaries and administrative assistants do
Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.8% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 89,200
Employment of medical secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 89,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$39,085
per year · effective tax rate 14.9%
$3,257Monthly
$1,629Twice a month
$1,503Every 2 weeks
$18.79Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,332
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,848
- Medicare (1.45%)$666
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,085
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,930 | $17.27 | $31,050 |
| 25th percentile | $38,570 | $18.54 | $33,171 |
| Median (50th) | $45,930 | $22.08 | $39,085 |
| 75th percentile | $50,580 | $24.32 | $42,821 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,530 | $29.10 | $50,816 |
Best cities for medical secretaries and administrative assistants (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $69,350 | $54,380 | $49,247 | 6,340 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $60,350 | $50,671 | $45,595 | 6,420 |
| 3 | Sacramento, CA | $57,730 | $46,302 | $43,407 | 7,710 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $61,330 | $48,932 | $42,324 | 13,660 |
| 5 | Winston, NC | $46,370 | $38,097 | $41,390 | 3,980 |
| 6 | Cleveland, OH | $45,920 | $38,596 | $41,094 | 7,120 |
| 7 | Albuquerque, NM | $47,310 | $39,127 | $40,950 | 2,480 |
| 8 | Cincinnati, OH | $46,180 | $38,798 | $40,682 | 7,140 |
| 9 | Columbus, OH | $46,220 | $38,829 | $40,672 | 5,490 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $46,510 | $39,551 | $40,331 | 6,000 |
| 11 | Kansas City, MO | $45,160 | $37,281 | $40,285 | 4,680 |
| 12 | Nashville, TN | $45,570 | $38,795 | $40,270 | 12,970 |
| 13 | Minneapolis, MN | $51,870 | $41,854 | $39,928 | 8,920 |
| 14 | Portland, OR | $54,560 | $42,075 | $39,911 | 8,290 |
| 15 | Las Vegas, NV | $46,750 | $39,744 | $39,658 | 5,400 |
| 16 | St. Louis, MO | $45,620 | $37,629 | $39,573 | 6,570 |
| 17 | Indianapolis, IN | $46,030 | $37,837 | $39,538 | 8,260 |
| 18 | Greensboro, NC | $44,500 | $36,669 | $39,486 | 3,870 |
| 19 | Durham, NC | $46,860 | $38,471 | $39,428 | 5,820 |
| 20 | Lexington, KY | $44,450 | $36,457 | $39,248 | 4,600 |
| 21 | Louisville, KY | $44,430 | $36,442 | $39,154 | 7,910 |
| 22 | Raleigh, NC | $46,600 | $38,272 | $38,991 | 7,600 |
| 23 | Buffalo, NY | $45,960 | $37,224 | $38,838 | 3,110 |
| 24 | Charlotte, NC | $45,650 | $37,547 | $38,570 | 13,380 |
| 25 | Fresno, CA | $48,120 | $39,282 | $38,452 | 3,410 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Jose, CA — $69,350
- San Francisco, CA — $61,330
- Seattle, WA — $60,350
- Sacramento, CA — $57,730
- Portland, OR — $54,560
- Minneapolis, MN — $51,870
- San Diego, CA — $51,650
- Boston, MA — $51,600
- Los Angeles, CA — $51,410
- Riverside, CA — $49,820
- Oxnard, CA — $49,800
- New York, NY — $49,230
- Washington, DC — $48,280
- Fresno, CA — $48,120
- Denver, CO — $47,810
Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $58,100 | +2.1% | $48,863 | $44,980 – $73,480 | 10,960 |
| California | $54,490 | +3.4% | $43,935 | $40,650 – $76,020 | 115,050 |
| Massachusetts | $50,290 | +0.2% | $40,294 | $41,460 – $63,030 | 22,210 |
| Oregon | $50,130 | +1.1% | $38,903 | $39,900 – $63,340 | 16,840 |
| Minnesota | $50,030 | +2.5% | $40,500 | $43,390 – $61,490 | 16,860 |
| Hawaii | $49,920 | +2.7% | $40,012 | $38,750 – $59,360 | 2,160 |
| District of Columbia | $49,180 | +4.1% | $39,911 | $45,400 – $59,810 | 1,930 |
| New Jersey | $48,660 | +4.4% | $40,138 | $38,310 – $62,400 | 20,980 |
| Connecticut | $48,500 | −0.5% | $39,892 | $40,380 – $62,580 | 6,480 |
| New Hampshire | $48,410 | +4.0% | $41,077 | $39,440 – $59,600 | 3,680 |
| Wisconsin | $48,380 | +3.2% | $39,706 | $39,640 – $58,190 | 7,760 |
| Vermont | $48,200 | +5.1% | $39,728 | $40,020 – $60,010 | 2,390 |
| Alaska | $47,870 | −0.6% | $40,644 | $36,240 – $60,410 | 2,520 |
| Maryland | $47,850 | +2.5% | $38,718 | $38,070 – $61,750 | 17,290 |
| New York | $47,710 | −0.8% | $38,536 | $38,430 – $61,160 | 57,720 |
| Maine | $46,990 | +5.1% | $37,946 | $39,710 – $58,160 | 4,610 |
| Nevada | $46,990 | +7.1% | $39,936 | $36,770 – $58,360 | 7,030 |
| Colorado | $46,920 | +3.4% | $38,524 | $38,100 – $57,990 | 11,560 |
| Rhode Island | $46,860 | −1.4% | $38,692 | $40,630 – $61,330 | 2,350 |
| Illinois | $46,670 | +3.3% | $37,514 | $37,440 – $58,320 | 27,560 |
| Virginia | $46,180 | +4.3% | $37,444 | $37,180 – $58,350 | 27,600 |
| Nebraska | $46,100 | +2.9% | $38,003 | $38,100 – $57,200 | 4,110 |
| Arizona | $45,820 | −1.5% | $38,060 | $33,860 – $60,110 | 18,090 |
| South Dakota | $45,810 | +3.1% | $38,988 | $39,270 – $53,120 | 80 |
| North Dakota | $45,390 | +3.1% | $38,651 | $37,440 – $58,140 | 1,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,930 | +4.5% | $36,902 | $36,280 – $58,170 | 27,600 |
| Idaho | $44,920 | +7.2% | $37,001 | $35,360 – $57,870 | 5,120 |
| Delaware | $44,500 | +3.0% | $36,143 | $36,400 – $57,980 | 4,510 |
| Wyoming | $44,430 | +6.4% | $37,880 | $36,400 – $59,440 | 1,110 |
| Utah | $44,330 | +9.5% | $36,770 | $34,510 – $57,080 | 5,260 |
| Ohio | $44,280 | +5.5% | $37,324 | $36,730 – $56,830 | 29,110 |
| New Mexico | $44,230 | +5.8% | $36,784 | $36,210 – $57,790 | 4,590 |
| North Carolina | $44,190 | +10.7% | $36,432 | $35,880 – $55,290 | 56,840 |
| Indiana | $44,060 | +5.8% | $36,312 | $35,970 – $56,610 | 21,180 |
| Missouri | $43,980 | +4.6% | $36,388 | $35,520 – $55,730 | 12,260 |
| Montana | $43,740 | +9.7% | $36,026 | $35,990 – $51,690 | 4,410 |
| Georgia | $43,160 | +5.6% | $35,242 | $34,460 – $58,290 | 39,380 |
| Kansas | $43,020 | +8.8% | $35,146 | $35,590 – $53,910 | 6,470 |
| Texas | $42,910 | +8.5% | $36,658 | $33,090 – $56,570 | 78,740 |
| Florida | $41,730 | +5.8% | $35,710 | $35,900 – $56,030 | 96,000 |
| Michigan | $41,100 | +2.6% | $33,708 | $36,330 – $50,840 | 27,960 |
| Iowa | $40,980 | +4.4% | $34,202 | $35,240 – $50,130 | 10,560 |
| South Carolina | $40,170 | +3.6% | $33,203 | $34,780 – $56,890 | 15,630 |
| Tennessee | $39,940 | +3.4% | $34,272 | $31,960 – $57,670 | 41,810 |
| Kentucky | $38,750 | +1.9% | $32,077 | $30,700 – $49,770 | 26,430 |
| West Virginia | $38,430 | +2.0% | $32,012 | $30,910 – $50,690 | 1,550 |
| Oklahoma | $38,330 | +0.9% | $31,799 | $30,730 – $48,690 | 8,430 |
| Arkansas | $37,000 | +3.0% | $30,679 | $31,690 – $47,960 | 2,190 |
| Alabama | $36,930 | +1.7% | $30,272 | $29,890 – $50,900 | 16,580 |
| Louisiana | $36,930 | +2.8% | $31,132 | $30,090 – $49,050 | 2,970 |
| Mississippi | $36,290 | −0.8% | $30,619 | $29,890 – $49,410 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,540 | High school diploma or equivalent | -6.0% |
| Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant | $55,570 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.2% |
| Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant | $76,590 | High school diploma or equivalent | 0.0% |
| Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan | $45,920 | High school diploma or equivalent | -10.4% |
| Order Clerk | $46,170 | Some college, no degree | -17.5% |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $45,670 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.3% |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $46,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | -4.8% |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.6% |
| Correspondence Clerk | $46,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.6% |
| Office Clerks, General | $45,010 | High school diploma or equivalent | -6.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical secretary and administrative assistant make?
The national median salary for medical secretaries and administrative assistants is $45,930 a year ($22.08 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,930 and the top 10% earn over $60,530. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays medical secretaries and administrative assistants the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $58,100. After taxes and local prices, San Jose, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many medical secretaries and administrative assistants are there in the U.S.?
About 961,610 people work as medical secretaries and administrative assistants nationwide.
All 69 cities
- Albuquerque, NM
- Asheville, NC
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Buffalo, NY
- Cape Coral, FL
- Charleston, SC
- Charlotte, NC
- Chattanooga, TN
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Deltona, FL
- Denver, CO
- Des Moines, IA
- Detroit, MI
- Durham, NC
- Fresno, CA
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Greensboro, NC
- Greenville, SC
- Hartford, CT
- Houston, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jacksonville, FL
- Kansas City, MO
- Knoxville, TN
- Lakeland, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
- Lexington, KY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Memphis, TN
- Miami, FL
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- North Port, FL
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Orlando, FL
- Oxnard, CA
- Palm Bay, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, OR
- Providence, RI
- Raleigh, NC
- Richmond, VA
- Riverside, CA
- Rochester, NY
- Sacramento, CA
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- St. Louis, MO
- Tampa, FL
- Tulsa, OK
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Washington, DC
- Wilmington, NC
- Winston, NC
- Worcester, MA