Cost of hiring an administrative assistant in Baltimore-Columbia, MD
Administrative assistants earn more in Baltimore-Columbia than anywhere else in Maryland. Expect a median of $49,220 a year[1], 1.1% above the Maryland statewide median of $48,680 and 3.5% above the US median of $47,540. That is in the top quarter of US areas (#84 of 520). With about 29,780 administrative assistants, 54% of the Maryland total, no area in Maryland employs more.
BLS occupation 43-6014, area Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Baltimore-Columbia against Maryland and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia, MD | $35,920 | $49,220 | $65,510 | |
| Maryland | $35,360 | $48,680 | $67,070 | |
| United States | $33,280 | $47,540 | $66,350 |
The middle half of administrative assistants in Baltimore-Columbia earns $42,340–$59,330. The top tenth earns $65,510 or more, 1.8 times the bottom tenth, close to the US pattern of 2.0 times.
What to budget for an administrative assistant here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,920 | $2,993 | $17.27 | $51,314 |
| 25th percentile | $42,340 | $3,528 | $20.36 | $60,486 |
| Median | $49,220 | $4,102 | $23.66 | $70,314 |
| 75th percentile | $59,330 | $4,944 | $28.52 | $84,757 |
| 90th percentile | $65,510 | $5,459 | $31.50 | $93,586 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $6,880 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $10,110, or about $14,443 once benefits are added. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in Baltimore-Columbia
At the $49,220 median, a local hire costs about $70,314 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $21,094 here. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for administrative assistants we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in Baltimore-Columbia
Of the 17 roles we track in Baltimore-Columbia, this one ranks #12 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $103,720 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $37,600.
| Role | Median | vs administrative assistant | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +110.7% | 14,700 | |
| Accountant | +73.0% | 13,550 | |
| Recruiter | +67.4% | 7,930 | |
| Executive Assistant | +59.2% | 8,260 | |
| Office Manager | +53.6% | 15,070 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +51.6% | 5,920 | |
| Paralegal | +33.4% | 3,880 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +25.6% | 11,340 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +22.6% | 840 | |
| HR Assistant | +16.9% | 660 | |
| Bookkeeper | +8.8% | 8,540 | |
| Administrative Assistant | this role | 29,780 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -1.7% | 320 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -3.1% | 8,640 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -12.9% | 17,480 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -22.1% | 860 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -23.6% | 8,660 |
Other areas in Maryland
Across the 5 areas of Maryland with data for this job, the median runs from $43,740 in Hagerstown-Martinsburg to $49,220 in Baltimore-Columbia, a gap of $5,480 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Baltimore-Columbia | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia, MD | this area | 29,780 | |
| Lexington Park, MD | -2.8% | 1,260 | |
| Salisbury, MD | -4.2% | 1,150 | |
| Maryland (Nonmetro) | -5.9% | 2,320 | |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | -11.1% | 1,800 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire an administrative assistant in Baltimore-Columbia, MD?
About $70,314 a year at the median, or $5,860 a month: $49,220 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for administrative assistants in Baltimore-Columbia?
The median was $49,220 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $35,920, the 90th $65,510, and the middle half earned $42,340 to $59,330.
Is Baltimore-Columbia the most expensive area in Maryland for administrative assistants?
Yes. Its median of $49,220 is the highest of 5 areas in Maryland. Lexington Park comes next at $47,840.
How many administrative assistants work in Baltimore-Columbia?
BLS counts about 29,780 in the May 2025 survey. That is 54% of the Maryland total of 54,890.
Does an administrative assistant cost more than an e-commerce order specialist in Baltimore-Columbia?
Yes: $850 a year more at the median. The medians are $49,220 and $48,370.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-6014: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes436014.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-06.