Cost of hiring an administrative assistant in Seattle-Tacoma, WA
Administrative assistants earn more in Seattle-Tacoma than anywhere else in Washington. Expect a median of $60,230 a year[1], 5.1% above the Washington statewide median of $57,330 and 26.7% above the US median of $47,540. Nationally that is #4 of 520 areas, in the top tenth. With about 15,780 administrative assistants, 50% of the Washington total, no area in Washington employs more.
BLS occupation 43-6014, area Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Seattle-Tacoma against Washington and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA | $45,720 | $60,230 | $80,470 | |
| Washington | $43,250 | $57,330 | $74,750 | |
| United States | $33,280 | $47,540 | $66,350 |
The middle half of administrative assistants in Seattle-Tacoma earns $50,700–$68,080. Pay is tightly grouped: the top tenth starts at $80,470, only 1.8 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 | $45,720 | $3,810 | $21.98 | $65,314 |
| 25th percentile | $50,700 | $4,225 | $24.38 | $72,429 |
| Median | $60,230 | $5,019 | $28.96 | $86,043 |
| 75th percentile | $68,080 | $5,673 | $32.73 | $97,257 |
| 90th percentile | $80,470 | $6,706 | $38.69 | $114,957 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $9,530 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $7,850, or about $11,214 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 Seattle-Tacoma
At the $60,230 median, a local hire costs about $86,043 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $25,813 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 Seattle-Tacoma
Of the 17 roles we track in Seattle-Tacoma, this one ranks #13 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $130,380 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $45,820.
| Role | Median | vs administrative assistant | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +116.5% | 26,910 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +69.6% | 18,030 | |
| Accountant | +65.0% | 22,100 | |
| Paralegal | +54.2% | 6,310 | |
| Recruiter | +54.0% | 14,120 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +37.0% | 12,450 | |
| Office Manager | +35.5% | 18,020 | |
| Executive Assistant | +34.3% | 7,370 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +10.6% | 1,980 | |
| Bookkeeper | +0.4% | 17,860 | |
| HR Assistant | +0.3% | 1,480 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | +0.2% | 6,420 | |
| Administrative Assistant | this role | 15,780 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -11.1% | 25,840 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -18.0% | n/a | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -22.0% | 760 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -23.9% | 14,260 |
Other areas in Washington
Across the 13 areas of Washington with data for this job, the median runs from $49,550 in Spokane-Spokane Valley to $60,230 in Seattle-Tacoma, a gap of $10,680 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Seattle-Tacoma | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA | this area | 15,780 | |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | -1.2% | 830 | |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | -4.4% | 430 | |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | -5.4% | 510 | |
| Olympia-Lacey, WA | -9.8% | 2,110 | |
| Bellingham, WA | -10.6% | 870 | |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | -11.8% | 1,450 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire an administrative assistant in Seattle-Tacoma, WA?
About $86,043 a year at the median, or $7,170 a month: $60,230 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 Seattle-Tacoma?
The median was $60,230 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $45,720, the 90th $80,470, and the middle half earned $50,700 to $68,080.
Is Seattle-Tacoma the most expensive area in Washington for administrative assistants?
Yes. Its median of $60,230 is the highest of 13 areas in Washington. Bremerton-Silverdale comes next at $59,510.
How many administrative assistants work in Seattle-Tacoma?
BLS counts about 15,780 in the May 2025 survey. That is 50% of the Washington total of 31,710.
Does an administrative assistant cost more than a customer support specialist in Seattle-Tacoma?
Yes: $6,680 a year more at the median. The medians are $60,230 and $53,550.
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.