Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive vs Software Developers: 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?
Software Developers professionals earn $86,790 more per year than Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive professionals — that's 187.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive earns $64,150 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $31,600 | $79,850 | $-48,250 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,770 | $103,050 | $-65,280 |
| Median (50th) | $46,290 | $133,080 | $-86,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,650 | $169,000 | $-113,350 |
| 90th Percentile | $64,150 | $211,450 | $-147,300 |
| Mean (Average) | $47,640 | $144,570 | $-96,930 |
Employment Numbers
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
1,737,820
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive or Software Developers?
What is the salary range for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
What is the salary range for Software Developers?
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Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS