San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Administrative Assistant Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

In the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area, administrative assistants earned a median annual wage of $55,300 ($26.59/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,000/year and the 90th was $78,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $45,256 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 110.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$55,300$26.59 per hour · $4,608 monthly
10th Percentile$38,000$18.27/hr base
25th Percentile$46,300$22.26/hr base
75th Percentile$65,200$31.35/hr base
90th Percentile$78,000$37.50/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$55,300
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$55,300
Net 82%
Fed 8%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$45,256After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,771Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,741Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,456 / yr
California state income tax$1,358 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,230 / yr

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Wage Percentiles in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$18.27/hr$3,167$38,000$32,210
25th Percentile$22.26/hr$3,858$46,300$38,547
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$26.59/hr$4,608$55,300$45,256
75th Percentile$31.35/hr$5,433$65,200$52,578
90th Percentile$37.50/hr$6,500$78,000$60,688

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$55,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$162,111Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index110.410.4% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio34.1%of area median income

Compare administrative assistants salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Pay in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

What is the median salary for administrative assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for administrative assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $55,300, which equates to approximately $4,608 per month or $26.59 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for administrative assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

The median hourly wage for administrative assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $26.59 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.27/hour and one in ten earned more than $37.50/hour.

What is the pay range for administrative assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

BLS wage estimates for administrative assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA span from $38,000 at the 10th percentile to $46,300 at the 25th, $65,200 at the 75th, and $78,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do administrative assistants take home after taxes in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

On a median gross salary of $55,300, an estimated $45,256 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,741 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $10,044 (an effective rate of 18.2%).

How much do administrative assistants make per month in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

On the median annual salary of $55,300, gross monthly income is $4,608. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,771 per month (or $1,741 every two weeks).

Is $55,300 a good salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

At $55,300, the median salary for administrative assistants is 34.1% of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA median household income ($162,111). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 110.4, making regional consumer goods and services 10.4% more expensive than the U.S. average.