Cost of hiring an administrative assistant in Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH
Boston-Cambridge is the most expensive place in Massachusetts to hire an administrative assistant. The median is $59,330 a year[1], 2.4% above the Massachusetts statewide median of $57,940 and 24.8% above the US median of $47,540. Nationally that is #6 of 520 areas, in the top tenth. It is the largest market for the job in Massachusetts: about 28,540 people.
BLS occupation 43-6014, area Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Boston-Cambridge against Massachusetts and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH | $42,930 | $59,330 | $79,050 | |
| Massachusetts | $41,510 | $57,940 | $78,400 | |
| United States | $33,280 | $47,540 | $66,350 |
The middle half of administrative assistants in Boston-Cambridge earns $48,690–$65,140. The top tenth earns $79,050 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 | $42,930 | $3,578 | $20.64 | $61,329 |
| 25th percentile | $48,690 | $4,058 | $23.41 | $69,557 |
| Median | $59,330 | $4,944 | $28.52 | $84,757 |
| 75th percentile | $65,140 | $5,428 | $31.32 | $93,057 |
| 90th percentile | $79,050 | $6,588 | $38.00 | $112,929 |
An offer at the 75th percentile instead of the median adds $5,810 a year in pay and about $8,300 in employer cost. Going down to the 25th percentile saves $10,640 in pay. 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 Boston-Cambridge
Pay is only part of it. Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], which adds about $25,427 to the $59,330 median and brings it to $84,757 a year. 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 Boston-Cambridge
Of the 17 roles we track in Boston-Cambridge, this one ranks #11 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $114,990 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $43,930.
| Role | Median | vs administrative assistant | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +93.8% | 18,840 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +72.6% | 32,310 | |
| Accountant | +68.8% | 37,150 | |
| Recruiter | +52.1% | 21,770 | |
| Executive Assistant | +43.7% | 11,290 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +40.6% | 25,310 | |
| Paralegal | +34.6% | 6,300 | |
| Office Manager | +31.5% | 25,630 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +12.8% | 2,500 | |
| Bookkeeper | +2.7% | 21,170 | |
| Administrative Assistant | this role | 28,540 | |
| HR Assistant | -3.2% | 1,150 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -7.1% | 1,100 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -13.0% | 16,330 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -15.9% | 37,780 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -19.7% | 1,460 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -26.0% | 14,320 |
Other areas in Massachusetts
Across the 7 areas of Massachusetts with data for this job, the median runs from $49,990 in Pittsfield to $59,330 in Boston-Cambridge, a gap of $9,340 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Boston-Cambridge | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH | this area | 28,540 | |
| Massachusetts (Nonmetro) | -5.0% | 560 | |
| Barnstable Town, MA | -7.2% | 990 | |
| Worcester, MA | -11.6% | 3,550 | |
| Springfield, MA | -13.3% | 1,900 | |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | -13.9% | 1,250 | |
| Pittsfield, MA | -15.7% | 600 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire an administrative assistant in Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH?
About $84,757 a year at the median, or $7,063 a month: $59,330 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 do administrative assistants earn in Boston-Cambridge?
The median was $59,330 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $42,930, the 90th $79,050, and the middle half earned $48,690 to $65,140.
Is Boston-Cambridge the most expensive area in Massachusetts for administrative assistants?
Yes. Its median of $59,330 is the highest of 7 areas in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts nonmetro area comes next at $56,340.
How many administrative assistants work in Boston-Cambridge?
BLS counts about 28,540 in the May 2025 survey.
Does an administrative assistant cost more than an HR assistant in Boston-Cambridge?
Yes: $1,890 a year more at the median. The medians are $59,330 and $57,440.
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.