Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Medical Secretary Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, medical secretaries earned a median annual wage of $48,700 ($23.41/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $45,000/year and the 90th was $59,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and District of Columbia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $39,488 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$48,700$23.41 per hour · $4,058 monthly
10th Percentile$45,000$21.63/hr base
25th Percentile$46,500$22.36/hr base
75th Percentile$57,600$27.69/hr base
90th Percentile$59,300$28.51/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

$48,700
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,700
Net 81%
Fed 8%
DC 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,488After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,291Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,519Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,664 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$1,822 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,726 / yr

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Wage Percentiles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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 Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$21.63/hr$3,750$45,000$36,738
25th Percentile$22.36/hr$3,875$46,500$37,853
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.41/hr$4,058$48,700$39,488
75th Percentile$27.69/hr$4,800$57,600$46,093
90th Percentile$28.51/hr$4,942$59,300$47,348

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$48,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$126,684Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.98.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio38.4%of area median income

Compare medical secretaries salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in District of Columbia:

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

What is the median salary for medical secretaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for medical secretaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $48,700, which equates to approximately $4,058 per month or $23.41 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for medical secretaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median hourly wage for medical secretaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $23.41 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $21.63/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.51/hour.

What is the pay range for medical secretaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

BLS wage estimates for medical secretaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $45,000 at the 10th percentile to $46,500 at the 25th, $57,600 at the 75th, and $59,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do medical secretaries take home after taxes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On a median gross salary of $48,700, an estimated $39,488 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,519 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,212 (an effective rate of 18.9%).

How much do medical secretaries make per month in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On the median annual salary of $48,700, gross monthly income is $4,058. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,291 per month (or $1,519 every two weeks).

Is $48,700 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $48,700, the median salary for medical secretaries is 38.4% of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV median household income ($126,684). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.