Cost of hiring an administrative assistant in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ
Administrative assistants earn more in Phoenix-Mesa than anywhere else in Arizona. Expect a median of $48,800 a year[1], 1.8% above the Arizona statewide median of $47,940 and 2.7% above the US median of $47,540. That is in the top quarter of US areas (#95 of 520). It is the largest market for the job in Arizona: about 22,010 people, 70% of the Arizona total.
BLS occupation 43-6014, area Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Phoenix-Mesa against Arizona and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa, AZ | $37,690 | $48,800 | $73,840 | |
| Arizona | $36,420 | $47,940 | $67,980 | |
| United States | $33,280 | $47,540 | $66,350 |
The middle half of administrative assistants in Phoenix-Mesa earns $42,610–$58,400. The top tenth earns $73,840 or more, 2.0 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 | $37,690 | $3,141 | $18.12 | $53,843 |
| 25th percentile | $42,610 | $3,551 | $20.49 | $60,871 |
| Median | $48,800 | $4,067 | $23.46 | $69,714 |
| 75th percentile | $58,400 | $4,867 | $28.08 | $83,429 |
| 90th percentile | $73,840 | $6,153 | $35.50 | $105,486 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $6,190 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $9,600, or about $13,714 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 Phoenix-Mesa
At the $48,800 median, a local hire costs about $69,714 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $20,914 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 Phoenix-Mesa
Of the 17 roles we track in Phoenix-Mesa, this one ranks #13 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $100,780 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $39,340.
| Role | Median | vs administrative assistant | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +106.5% | 17,790 | |
| Accountant | +65.6% | 21,360 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +53.5% | 19,810 | |
| Recruiter | +53.0% | 15,430 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +52.8% | 12,220 | |
| Executive Assistant | +51.7% | 5,000 | |
| Office Manager | +34.2% | 23,940 | |
| Paralegal | +28.3% | 6,280 | |
| Bookkeeper | +6.5% | 16,280 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +3.2% | 2,650 | |
| HR Assistant | +2.7% | 1,080 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | +0.2% | 620 | |
| Administrative Assistant | this role | 22,010 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -4.5% | 13,570 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -4.9% | 68,930 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -9.5% | 2,650 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -19.4% | 16,850 |
Other areas in Arizona
Across the 8 areas of Arizona with data for this job, the median runs from $40,230 in Sierra Vista-Douglas to $48,800 in Phoenix-Mesa, a gap of $8,570 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Phoenix-Mesa | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa, AZ | this area | 22,010 | |
| Flagstaff, AZ | -5.7% | 550 | |
| Tucson, AZ | -7.7% | 3,630 | |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | -8.6% | 830 | |
| Arizona (Nonmetro) | -10.0% | 1,310 | |
| Yuma, AZ | -13.1% | 690 | |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | -15.7% | 740 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire an administrative assistant in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ?
About $69,714 a year at the median, or $5,810 a month: $48,800 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 Phoenix-Mesa?
The median was $48,800 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,690, the 90th $73,840, and the middle half earned $42,610 to $58,400.
Is Phoenix-Mesa the most expensive area in Arizona for administrative assistants?
Yes. Its median of $48,800 is the highest of 8 areas in Arizona. Flagstaff comes next at $46,010.
How many administrative assistants work in Phoenix-Mesa?
BLS counts about 22,010 in the May 2025 survey. That is 70% of the Arizona total of 31,220.
Does an administrative assistant cost more than a medical administrative assistant in Phoenix-Mesa?
Yes: $2,200 a year more at the median. The medians are $48,800 and $46,600.
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.