Cost of hiring an administrative assistant in Denver-Aurora, CO
Budget above the national rate here. The median administrative assistant in Denver-Aurora earned $49,760 a year in May 2025[1], 2.2% above the Colorado statewide median of $48,690 and 4.7% above the US median of $47,540. That is in the top quarter of US areas (#77 of 520). It is the largest market for the job in Colorado: about 15,350 people, 53% of the Colorado total.
BLS occupation 43-6014, area Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Denver-Aurora against Colorado and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora, CO | $38,870 | $49,760 | $66,930 | |
| Colorado | $37,300 | $48,690 | $64,960 | |
| United States | $33,280 | $47,540 | $66,350 |
The middle half of administrative assistants in Denver-Aurora earns $45,110–$60,480. Pay is tightly grouped: the top tenth starts at $66,930, only 1.7 times the bottom tenth, against 2.0 times across the US, so the going rate is easier to read.
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 | $38,870 | $3,239 | $18.69 | $55,529 |
| 25th percentile | $45,110 | $3,759 | $21.69 | $64,443 |
| Median | $49,760 | $4,147 | $23.92 | $71,086 |
| 75th percentile | $60,480 | $5,040 | $29.08 | $86,400 |
| 90th percentile | $66,930 | $5,578 | $32.18 | $95,614 |
An offer at the 75th percentile instead of the median adds $10,720 a year in pay and about $15,314 in employer cost. Going down to the 25th percentile saves $4,650 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 Denver-Aurora
At the $49,760 median, a local hire costs about $71,086 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $21,326 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 Denver-Aurora
Of the 17 roles we track in Denver-Aurora, this one ranks #13 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $116,740 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $43,680.
| Role | Median | vs administrative assistant | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +134.6% | 20,710 | |
| Accountant | +101.0% | 22,720 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +99.0% | 17,000 | |
| Recruiter | +65.9% | 12,520 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +62.1% | 24,480 | |
| Paralegal | +61.8% | 3,740 | |
| Office Manager | +59.0% | 14,710 | |
| Executive Assistant | +36.7% | 5,930 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +30.1% | 1,580 | |
| Bookkeeper | +15.6% | 14,100 | |
| HR Assistant | +12.7% | 950 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | +0.2% | 1,320 | |
| Administrative Assistant | this role | 15,350 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -2.4% | 23,560 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -3.9% | 5,980 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -9.7% | 680 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -12.2% | 5,480 |
Other areas in Colorado
Across the 10 areas of Colorado with data for this job, the median runs from $44,450 in the Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetro area to $51,060 in Boulder, a gap of $6,610 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Denver-Aurora | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | +2.6% | 1,510 | |
| Denver-Aurora, CO | this area | 15,350 | |
| Northwest Colorado (Nonmetro) | -1.0% | 1,600 | |
| Greeley, CO | -2.8% | 1,160 | |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | -5.3% | 1,770 | |
| Colorado Springs, CO | -5.5% | 3,480 | |
| Southwest Colorado (Nonmetro) | -5.7% | 1,420 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire an administrative assistant in Denver-Aurora, CO?
About $71,086 a year at the median, or $5,924 a month: $49,760 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 Denver-Aurora?
The median was $49,760 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,870, the 90th $66,930, and the middle half earned $45,110 to $60,480.
Is Denver-Aurora cheaper than the rest of Colorado for administrative assistants?
No, it costs more: a median of $49,760 against $48,690 statewide. Boulder pays the most ($51,060) and the Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetro area the least ($44,450).
How many administrative assistants work in Denver-Aurora?
BLS counts about 15,350 in the May 2025 survey. That is 53% of the Colorado total of 29,120.
Does an administrative assistant cost more than a customer support specialist in Denver-Aurora?
Yes: $1,170 a year more at the median. The medians are $49,760 and $48,590.
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.