Registered Nurses vs Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Median annual salary
1,737,820 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $47,310 more per year than Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive professionals — that's 102.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Registered Nurses earns $135,320 compared to $64,150 for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Registered Nurses | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,030 | $31,600 | +$34,430 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,610 | $37,770 | +$40,840 |
| Median (50th) | $93,600 | $46,290 | +$47,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,960 | $55,650 | +$52,310 |
| 90th Percentile | $135,320 | $64,150 | +$71,170 |
| Mean (Average) | $98,430 | $47,640 | +$50,790 |
Employment Numbers
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
1,737,820
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Best Cities for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $61,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $60,320 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,310 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $56,060 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $53,960 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Registered Nurses or Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
What is the salary range for Registered Nurses?
What is the salary range for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
How many Registered Nurses and Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive to Registered Nurses?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS