If you are interested in pursuing a career as an assistant, it is important to know how much you can expect to earn. Salaries for assistants vary depending on a number of factors, including your experience, the type of position you are looking for, and the state in which you are working.
In this article, we will explore the average assistant salary in each state, as well as the states with the highest and lowest assistant salaries.
Assistant Salary by State
The average salary for an assistant varies from state to state, with some states paying considerably more than others. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for an administrative assistant in the United States is $39,850.
However, this number can vary greatly depending on the state in which you are working. The state with the highest average salary for an administrative assistant is Massachusetts, where the average annual salary is $47,840.
This is followed closely by Washington, D.C., where the average annual salary is $47,690. Other states with relatively high salaries for assistants include New York ($46,020), Alaska ($44,730), and Connecticut ($44,220).
On the other end of the spectrum, the state with the lowest average salary for an administrative assistant is South Dakota, where the average annual salary is $30,740. Other states with relatively low salaries for assistants include Mississippi ($31,890), Oklahoma ($33,720), Arkansas ($33,860), and Louisiana ($34,210).
Ranking of States by Assistant Salary
Another way to look at assistant salaries is by ranking the states from highest to lowest. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top five states for administrative assistant salaries are:
1.
Massachusetts
2. Washington, D.C.
3.
New York
4. Alaska
5.
Connecticut
The bottom five states for administrative assistant salaries are:
1. South Dakota
2.
Mississippi
3. Oklahoma
4.
Arkansas
5. Louisiana
States with Highest and Lowest Assistant Salaries
While the above rankings can be helpful in determining which states pay the most and least for administrative assistant positions, it can also be helpful to look at individual states in more detail. Here are the states with the highest and lowest assistant salaries:
States with the Highest Assistant Salaries:
1.
Massachusetts – with an average annual salary of $47,840, Massachusetts is the state that pays administrative assistants the most. 2.
Washington, D.C. – with an average annual salary of $47,690, Washington, D.C. is the second-highest paying state for administrative assistants. 3.
New York – administrative assistants in New York can expect to make an average of $46,020 per year. 4.
Alaska – the average annual salary for administrative assistants in Alaska is $44,730. 5.
Connecticut – with an average annual salary of $44,220, Connecticut is another state that pays administrative assistants well. States with the Lowest Assistant Salaries:
1.
South Dakota – administrative assistants in South Dakota make an average of $30,740 per year, making it the state with the lowest assistant salaries. 2.
Mississippi – the average annual salary for administrative assistants in Mississippi is $31,890. 3.
Oklahoma – administrative assistants in Oklahoma make an average of $33,720 per year. 4.
Arkansas – with an average annual salary of $33,860, Arkansas is another state that pays administrative assistants relatively poorly. 5.
Louisiana – the average salary for an administrative assistant in Louisiana is $34,210 per year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are considering a career as an administrative assistant, it is important to be aware of the average salaries in your state and how they compare to other states. While some states pay considerably more than others, the average salary for an administrative assistant across the United States is $39,850 per year.
By using the information provided in this article, you can make an informed decision when it comes to searching for an administrative assistant position and negotiating your salary.
Methodology
When it comes to determining the average assistant salary by state, there are a number of data sources that can be used. Some of the most commonly used sources of data include the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), PayScale, and Glassdoor.
The BLS is a federal agency that collects data on employment, wages, and other labor-related topics. One of the ways in which the BLS collects data on salaries is through its Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program.
The OES collects data from employers in all 50 states and uses that data to estimate average salaries for different occupations, including administrative assistants. Another source of data on assistant salaries is PayScale.
PayScale is a company that collects salary data from employees and uses that data to calculate average salaries for different occupations. According to PayScale, the average salary for an administrative assistant in the United States is $39,727 per year.
Glassdoor is another website that provides salary data for different occupations, including administrative assistants. Glassdoor gathers salary data from employees who voluntarily share their salaries on the website.
This means that the data is self-reported and may not be as reliable as data collected by the BLS or PayScale. In order to calculate the average assistant salary by state, these sources of data are typically combined and weighted to arrive at a single number for each state.
The weights given to each source of data may depend on factors such as the sample size of the data and the reliability of the source.
Weighted Average of Assistant Salary Data
When calculating the average assistant salary by state, one method that is often used is a weighted average. A weighted average takes into account the sample size of the data and assigns weights to each data point based on its reliability and representativeness.
For example, if the BLS has data on assistant salaries for a larger sample size than PayScale, the BLS data may be given a higher weight when calculating the average salary. Similarly, if the data from Glassdoor is highly variable or has a small sample size, it may be given a lower weight or excluded altogether.
The exact weights given to each source of data may vary depending on the preferences of the organization or individual calculating the average assistant salary. However, by using a weighted average, it is possible to arrive at a more accurate and representative number for each state.
FAQs
Highest-Paid State and City for Assistants
The highest-paid state for administrative assistants in the United States is Massachusetts, with an average annual salary of $47,840. However, it is important to note that the cost of living in Massachusetts is also relatively high, which can impact how far that salary will go.
In terms of cities, Boston is one of the highest-paying cities for administrative assistants in Massachusetts. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an administrative assistant in Boston is $47,960 per year, which is slightly higher than the state average.
Worst State for Assistants
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Dakota is the state with the lowest average salary for administrative assistants, with an average annual salary of $30,740. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the cost of living in South Dakota is also relatively low, which can offset the impact of a lower salary.
Other states with relatively low salaries for administrative assistants include Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. In general, states with lower costs of living tend to have lower salaries for administrative assistants, while states with higher costs of living tend to have higher salaries.
However, it is important to consider other factors, such as job availability, when determining which state is best for your career as an assistant. In conclusion, assistant salaries vary greatly depending on the state in which you are working.
By analyzing average assistant salaries and rankings of states, we can see that Massachusetts is the highest-paying state for assistants, while South Dakota is the lowest. It is important to consider the cost of living when evaluating assistant salaries.
Additionally, the methodology used to calculate average assistant salaries has a significant impact on the accuracy of the data. Understanding the factors that influence assistant salaries by state can help individuals make informed decisions about their career paths and negotiate salaries.