Cost of hiring an administrative assistant in Houston-Pasadena, TX
Houston-Pasadena pays administrative assistants more than Texas as a whole but less than the country. The median is $46,750 a year[1]: 3.6% above the Texas statewide median of $45,140 and 1.7% below the US median of $47,540. Nationally it ranks #181 of 520 areas. About 33,710 administrative assistants work here, 23% of the Texas total.
BLS occupation 43-6014, area Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Houston-Pasadena against Texas and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena, TX | $29,770 | $46,750 | $65,940 | |
| Texas | $29,810 | $45,140 | $63,020 | |
| United States | $33,280 | $47,540 | $66,350 |
Pay is more spread out here than nationally: the top tenth earns $65,940 or more, 2.2 times the bottom tenth, against 2.0 times across the US. Two offers for the same title can sit far apart. The middle half of administrative assistants in Houston-Pasadena earns $36,630–$57,560.
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 | $29,770 | $2,481 | $14.31 | $42,529 |
| 25th percentile | $36,630 | $3,052 | $17.61 | $52,329 |
| Median | $46,750 | $3,896 | $22.48 | $66,786 |
| 75th percentile | $57,560 | $4,797 | $27.67 | $82,229 |
| 90th percentile | $65,940 | $5,495 | $31.70 | $94,200 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $10,120 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $10,810, or about $15,443 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 Houston-Pasadena
At the $46,750 median, a local hire costs about $66,786 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $20,036 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 Houston-Pasadena
Of the 17 roles we track in Houston-Pasadena, this one ranks #12 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $99,510 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $35,350.
| Role | Median | vs administrative assistant | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +112.9% | 35,550 | |
| Accountant | +82.0% | 28,400 | |
| Executive Assistant | +60.1% | 7,390 | |
| Recruiter | +55.2% | 18,320 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +44.1% | 14,480 | |
| Office Manager | +41.2% | 36,940 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +35.0% | 28,720 | |
| Paralegal | +34.2% | 7,320 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +15.7% | 3,260 | |
| Bookkeeper | +5.8% | 26,090 | |
| HR Assistant | +4.6% | 1,140 | |
| Administrative Assistant | this role | 33,710 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -2.4% | 1,270 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -5.4% | 20,220 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -13.6% | 65,510 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -15.5% | 4,430 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -24.4% | 17,140 |
Other areas in Texas
Across the 32 areas of Texas with data for this job, the median runs from $36,310 in Eagle Pass to $48,470 in Austin-Round Rock, a gap of $12,160 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Houston-Pasadena | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | +3.7% | 13,870 | |
| Midland, TX | +3.3% | 1,400 | |
| Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | +1.5% | 37,550 | |
| Houston-Pasadena, TX | this area | 33,710 | |
| Odessa, TX | -3.6% | 920 | |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | -6.5% | 530 | |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | -7.1% | 12,260 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire an administrative assistant in Houston-Pasadena, TX?
About $66,786 a year at the median, or $5,565 a month: $46,750 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 Houston-Pasadena?
The median was $46,750 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,770, the 90th $65,940, and the middle half earned $36,630 to $57,560.
Is Houston-Pasadena cheaper than the rest of Texas for administrative assistants?
No, it costs more: a median of $46,750 against $45,140 statewide. Austin-Round Rock pays the most ($48,470) and Eagle Pass the least ($36,310).
How many administrative assistants work in Houston-Pasadena?
BLS counts about 33,710 in the May 2025 survey. That is 23% of the Texas total of 149,650.
Does an administrative assistant cost more than an e-commerce order specialist in Houston-Pasadena?
Yes: $1,130 a year more at the median. The medians are $46,750 and $45,620.
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.