California Median
$54,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+19% vs US median
US median $45,930
State Rank
#2 of 51
115,050 employed here
How much do Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants make in California?
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in California take home a median of $54,490 annually — roughly $26.20 an hour — which runs 19% above the national median of $45,930.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $40,650 while the top 10% make $76,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,590 and $63,330 a year.
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,650 | $19.54 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,590 | $22.40 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $54,490 | $26.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $63,330 | $30.45 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,020 | $36.55 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in other states
Washington $58,100Massachusetts $50,290Oregon $50,130Minnesota $50,030Hawaii $49,920District of Columbia $49,180New Jersey $48,660Connecticut $48,500New Hampshire $48,410Wisconsin $48,380Vermont $48,200Alaska $47,870Maryland $47,850New York $47,710Maine $46,990Nevada $46,990Colorado $46,920Rhode Island $46,860Illinois $46,670Virginia $46,180Nebraska $46,100Arizona $45,820South Dakota $45,810North Dakota $45,390Pennsylvania $44,930Idaho $44,920Delaware $44,500Wyoming $44,430Utah $44,330Ohio $44,280New Mexico $44,230North Carolina $44,190Indiana $44,060Missouri $43,980Montana $43,740Georgia $43,160Kansas $43,020Texas $42,910Florida $41,730Michigan $41,100Iowa $40,980South Carolina $40,170Tennessee $39,940Kentucky $38,750West Virginia $38,430Oklahoma $38,330Arkansas $37,000Alabama $36,930Louisiana $36,930Mississippi $36,290
Working as Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in California
Nationally, about 962,000 people work as Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($54,490) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants make in California?
The median Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in California is $54,490 per year, or about $26.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,650 at the entry level to $76,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants about 19% more than the national median of $45,930. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $54,490 a year. About 115,050 Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.