Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Salary in New Orleans, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Median annual salary $39,860 -13.9% vs national
Median hourly $19.17
10th percentile $28,280
90th percentile $57,680
Employed locally 6,090
National median $46,290

Compare Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salary & buying power

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Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
in
New Orleans, LA
vs

    In New Orleans, LA, secretaries and administrative assistants typically earn a median annual salary of $39,860, which translates to approximately $19.17 per hour. This figure is notably lower than the national median for the same occupation, which stands at $46,290. When compared to local household income, this salary represents about 64% of the area's median household income of $62,271. The disparity between local and national earnings suggests that workers in this field within New Orleans may face regional economic factors influencing their compensation levels.

    Entry-level secretaries and administrative assistants in New Orleans earn around $28,280 annually at the 10th percentile, while those at the more experienced end of the spectrum can make up to $57,680 at the 90th percentile. The salary progression from entry-level to experienced positions is driven by factors such as skill acquisition, responsibilities, and tenure within a company. As workers gain proficiency in their roles—often expanding their capabilities with advanced administrative skills or specialized software—their earning potential increases significantly. This difference underscores the importance of experience and expertise in achieving higher compensation levels within this occupation.

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,280
    25th
    $32,870
    50th (median)
    $39,860
    75th
    $48,460
    90th
    $57,680

    New Orleans economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,271 2023 • Census ACS
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salary vs area income 64% Median Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salary is 36% below the area median household income

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive make per hour in New Orleans?

    The median hourly wage for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive in New Orleans, LA is $19.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.95 or more per hour.

    Is New Orleans above or below average for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salaries?

    The median Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salary in New Orleans, LA is 13.9% below the national median of $46,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive in New Orleans?

    Entry-level Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive (10th percentile) earn around $28,280 per year in New Orleans, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $32,870.