How much does a secretary and administrative assistant make in California?
$55,400a year
Median yearly pay for secretary and administrative assistants in California. That is $26.63 an hour or $4,617 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.63
- Vs. national median
- +17%
- Rank among states
- 5 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 158,630
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,060Median: $55,400Highest 10%: $78,170
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,060 | $18.30 | |
| 25th | $46,390 | $22.30 | |
| Median | $55,400 | $26.63 | |
| 75th | $65,400 | $31.44 | |
| 90th | $78,170 | $37.58 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $62,940 |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,110 |
| Napa, CA | $58,810 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $57,720 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $57,510 |
| Salinas, CA | $57,340 |
| Vallejo, CA | $56,270 |
| San Diego, CA | $55,380 |
| Modesto, CA | $55,140 |
| Sacramento, CA | $55,020 |
| Hanford, CA | $54,170 |
| Oxnard, CA | $54,170 |
| Stockton, CA | $53,770 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $53,550 |
| Riverside, CA | $52,920 |
| Visalia, CA | $51,910 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $51,800 |
| Merced, CA | $51,710 |
| Yuba City, CA | $51,480 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $51,010 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $50,960 |
| Fresno, CA | $50,100 |
| Redding, CA | $49,940 |
| Chico, CA | $49,810 |
| El Centro, CA | $49,150 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for secretary and administrative assistants.
| 2. Massachusetts | $57,940 |
| 3. Washington | $57,330 |
| 4. Connecticut | $57,210 |
| 5. California | $55,400 |
| 6. Rhode Island | $52,140 |
| 7. Oregon | $51,740 |
| 8. Minnesota | $51,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a secretary and administrative assistant make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $26.63 ($55,400 a year).
Do secretary and administrative assistants make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $55,400 against $47,540 nationally, 17% more.
Where does California rank for secretary and administrative assistant pay?
California ranks 5 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays secretary and administrative assistants the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $62,940 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.