In the dynamic San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area, Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive roles command an impressive average annual salary of $64,620. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $47,320, reflecting the region's high demand for skilled administrative support and the generally elevated compensation structures prevalent in the tech-centric Silicon Valley economy.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $64,620 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 24.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $88,740.
- Outlook: The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara job market for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive, while not hyper-concentrated with a Location Quotient of 0.69, still represents a substantial segment of the local economy with approximately 8,800 professionals. The presence of nearly 8 jobs per 1,000 workers indicates a consistent need for these roles, suggesting a stable and robust employment landscape for qualified individuals.
Salary Overview
The average Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earns+36.6%above the national average.
$31.1
$1,243
$5,385
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that administrative assistant salaries in a high-cost, high-demand area like San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara have experienced steady growth over the past four years. Factors such as inflation, increasing demand for specialized administrative skills, and the general economic expansion of the region likely contribute to an upward trend in compensation for these essential roles.
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Salary Distribution in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Career progression for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive, in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills and extensive experience can command salaries well above the average, potentially reaching senior administrative or executive assistant levels with corresponding higher compensation.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate / AnalystData entry, reporting, supporting senior staff. | 10% (Entry) | $44,880 | $21.6 |
| Senior AnalystIndependent analysis, forecasting, client interaction. | 25% (Junior) | $48,465 | $23.3 |
| ManagerOversees team, compliance, and project delivery. | 50% (Median) | $61,190 | $29.4 |
| Director / VPStrategic planning, budget ownership, risk management. | 75% (Senior) | $80,775 | $38.8 |
| Executive / PartnerC-level leadership. High-level strategy & relations. | 90% (Expert) | $88,740 | $42.7 |
Detailed Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$64,620
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$64,620
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $64,620 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is substantially higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is comparable to the national average due to the equivalent cost of living. Therefore, the higher salary effectively offsets the elevated expenses typically associated with living in a major metropolitan area.
Job Market Context
8,800
Total Jobs
7.758
Per 1K Jobs
0.69
Location Quotient
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has 0.69x the national average concentration of Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
With a Location Quotient of 0.69, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metropolitan area has a slightly lower concentration of Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive roles compared to the national average. This suggests that while the job market is active and employs a significant number of individuals (8,800), the field is not overly saturated, potentially offering good opportunities for job seekers who possess the right skills and qualifications.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Comparing salaries near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Hiring Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median annual salary for a Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $64,620. This typically ranges from $44,880 for entry-level positions to $88,740 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 36.6% higher than the national median of $47,320.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a lucrative place for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives?
Yes, it is a lucrative place.The average salary of $64,620 significantly exceeds the national average, and while the cost of living is also at the national average, the higher nominal wage provides strong earning potential.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a good place to live for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executives?
The Cost of Living Index in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($56,150) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA.
How does the San Jose administrative assistant salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for administrative assistants in San Jose is $64,620, which is considerably higher than the national average of $47,320.
What is the total number of administrative assistants in the San Jose area?
There are approximately 8,800 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive roles in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area.
Does the cost of living in San Jose affect the value of the administrative assistant salary?
The Cost of Living Index in San Jose is 100, which is the national average. This means the higher salary of $64,620 has a purchasing power equivalent to the national average, effectively balancing out living expenses.
Is the job market for administrative assistants competitive in San Jose?
With a Location Quotient of 0.69, the market is slightly less concentrated than the national average, indicating a healthy demand without extreme saturation for administrative roles.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 8,800 employees in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area with a job density of 7.758 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Salaries by State
Top Jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- All Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Computer and Mathematical Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Management Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Software Developers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Healthcare Support Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Browse All Jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA