Cost of hiring an administrative assistant in Riverside-San Bernardino, CA
The median administrative assistant in Riverside-San Bernardino earned $52,920 a year in May 2025[1]. That is 11.3% above the US median of $47,540, even though it is 4.5% below the California statewide median of $55,400. Only 35 of 520 US areas pay more for this job. BLS counts about 13,210 people in this job here, 8% of the California total.
BLS occupation 43-6014, area Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Riverside-San Bernardino against California and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA | $37,730 | $52,920 | $74,660 | |
| California | $38,060 | $55,400 | $78,170 | |
| United States | $33,280 | $47,540 | $66,350 |
The middle half of administrative assistants in Riverside-San Bernardino earns $45,690–$62,490. The top tenth earns $74,660 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 | $37,730 | $3,144 | $18.14 | $53,900 |
| 25th percentile | $45,690 | $3,808 | $21.97 | $65,271 |
| Median | $52,920 | $4,410 | $25.44 | $75,600 |
| 75th percentile | $62,490 | $5,208 | $30.04 | $89,271 |
| 90th percentile | $74,660 | $6,222 | $35.89 | $106,657 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $7,230 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $9,570, or about $13,671 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 Riverside-San Bernardino
At the $52,920 median, a local hire costs about $75,600 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $22,680 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 Riverside-San Bernardino
Of the 17 roles we track in Riverside-San Bernardino, this one ranks #11 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $100,770 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $41,800.
| Role | Median | vs administrative assistant | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +90.4% | 6,720 | |
| Accountant | +58.6% | 9,240 | |
| Recruiter | +44.7% | 7,210 | |
| Office Manager | +39.2% | 13,240 | |
| Executive Assistant | +38.5% | 4,140 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +32.0% | 5,280 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +17.6% | 9,270 | |
| Paralegal | +16.1% | 2,460 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +15.6% | 1,630 | |
| Bookkeeper | +5.1% | 12,710 | |
| Administrative Assistant | this role | 13,210 | |
| HR Assistant | -1.2% | 1,290 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -5.9% | 10,530 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -10.9% | 15,180 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -11.8% | 1,180 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -12.7% | 1,130 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -21.0% | 6,880 |
Other areas in California
Across the 28 areas of California with data for this job, the median runs from $49,150 in El Centro to $62,940 in San Jose-Sunnyvale, a gap of $13,790 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Riverside-San Bernardino | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks, CA | +2.4% | 2,980 | |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | +1.6% | 2,310 | |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | +1.2% | 58,800 | |
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA | this area | 13,210 | |
| North Coast Region of California (Nonmetro) | +0.0% | 1,120 | |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California (Nonmetro) | +0.0% | 560 | |
| Visalia, CA | -1.9% | 1,390 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire an administrative assistant in Riverside-San Bernardino, CA?
About $75,600 a year at the median, or $6,300 a month: $52,920 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 Riverside-San Bernardino?
The median was $52,920 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,730, the 90th $74,660, and the middle half earned $45,690 to $62,490.
Is Riverside-San Bernardino cheaper than the rest of California for administrative assistants?
Yes, it costs less: a median of $52,920 against $55,400 statewide. San Jose-Sunnyvale pays the most ($62,940) and El Centro the least ($49,150).
How many administrative assistants work in Riverside-San Bernardino?
BLS counts about 13,210 in the May 2025 survey. That is 8% of the California total of 158,630.
Does an administrative assistant cost more than an HR assistant in Riverside-San Bernardino?
Yes: $660 a year more at the median. The medians are $52,920 and $52,260.
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.