How much does a secretary make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $3,962 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $3,361
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 0.9 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 144 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $100,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Switzerland estimate | $80,580 |
| 2. Luxembourg estimate | $60,960 |
| 3. Iceland estimate | $60,420 |
| 8. Belgium estimate | $47,760 |
| 9. United States | $47,540 |
| 10. Austria estimate | $46,970 |
| 144. Nigeria estimate | $542 |
Similar jobs
Clerical support workers
- Office clerk$45,130
- Typist$49,280
- Data entry clerk$41,340
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| District of Columbia | $59,910 |
| Massachusetts | $57,940 |
| Washington | $57,330 |
| Connecticut | $57,210 |
| California | $55,400 |
| Rhode Island | $52,140 |
| Oregon | $51,740 |
| Minnesota | $51,400 |
| Hawaii | $50,830 |
| New Jersey | $50,260 |
See all 51 states
| Maine | $49,820 |
| New York | $49,600 |
| Vermont | $48,920 |
| Colorado | $48,690 |
| Maryland | $48,680 |
| Alaska | $48,530 |
| Illinois | $48,310 |
| New Hampshire | $48,080 |
| Delaware | $47,970 |
| Arizona | $47,940 |
| Wisconsin | $47,710 |
| Virginia | $47,620 |
| North Dakota | $47,480 |
| Utah | $47,050 |
| Nebraska | $46,760 |
| Nevada | $46,570 |
| New Mexico | $46,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,270 |
| Ohio | $46,230 |
| Michigan | $46,020 |
| Florida | $45,900 |
| Tennessee | $45,810 |
| North Carolina | $45,790 |
| Wyoming | $45,450 |
| Iowa | $45,150 |
| Texas | $45,140 |
| South Carolina | $44,880 |
| Indiana | $44,270 |
| Kentucky | $44,200 |
| Montana | $43,940 |
| Idaho | $43,710 |
| Missouri | $43,540 |
| Kansas | $42,270 |
| South Dakota | $41,700 |
| Alabama | $41,630 |
| Georgia | $41,600 |
| West Virginia | $40,370 |
| Oklahoma | $39,660 |
| Louisiana | $38,790 |
| Arkansas | $37,630 |
| Mississippi | $37,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a secretary make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $3,962 a month, $47,540 a year.
How much does a secretary make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $33,280 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $66,350.
Which country pays a secretary the most?
Germany, with a median of $53,890 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a secretary the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $59,910 a year.
Does a secretary make more in the United States or in Germany?
In Germany: $53,890 a year against $47,540 in the United States, 1.1 times more.
Who makes more, a secretary or an office clerk?
A secretary: $47,540 a year against $45,130 for an office clerk, 1.1 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate