Here’s the Average Office Worker Salary by Age in 2022

Median Salary vs. Average Salary: How Much are Office Workers Really Paid?

Given the renewed relevancy of the office as a working environment, we believe it is a prudent time to examine how much the average American office worker earns, by age. 

Median and average salary figures are both commonly used when exploring fair compensation in the workplace. Average salary data is determined by adding together all salaries earned by a particular group and dividing this figure by the number of people in the group, whilst median salary data is derived by arranging salaries from low to high and selecting the midpoint. A lot of people refer to these terms interchangeably, however, most prefer to compare salaries against the median wage – as it isn’t as impacted by the dramatic ends of the spectrum.

It’s important to note that averages vary dramatically depending on geographic location, with professionals in a high-cost city like San Francisco generally having a higher pay range than those in South Dakota. Differences in median salaries seen between cities often comes down to levels of local job demand, State tax rates, and overall monthly expenses including cost of living. The highest salaries are typically found in locations with a high-concentration of people with advanced degrees.

We’ve broken down our investigation between the most popular office jobs and the best paid office jobs, allowing you to weigh up your role and experience against US averages. Additionally, by reading on, you may find yourself inspired to chase some of the higher salaries for your age and experience!

Why is Age an Important Consideration When Examining Salary?

We feel the age qualifier is an important distinction to take into account, as a worker’s age usually correlates to their experience and how much they can earn. Jobseekers and those already in roles should be aware of the kinds of salaries their age and experience commands – to make better informed decisions about whether to accept an offer, push for a raise, or quietly celebrate their higher than market-rate remuneration. Knowing how your salary compares to the average essentially allows you to determine whether you’re being paid a good salary for your education level, age, and job title.

All current salary figures compiled below comes from reputable sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Salary.com, PayScale and Salary Explorer.

Some of the Most Common Office Jobs in the US

• Administrative assistant
• Receptionist
• Data entry clerk
• Office assistant
• Accounts clerk 
• Mail clerk

Highest Paid Office Jobs in the US

• Account manager
• Executive assistant
• Office manager 
• Project coordinator
• Call center manager 
• Procurement specialist

National Average Salary by Age in the United States

• 16 to 19 y/o – $587 per week, $30,524 per year
• 20 to 24 y/o – $684 per week, $35,568 per year
• 25 to 34 y/o – $975 per week, $50,700 per year
• 35 to 44 y/o – $1,155 per week, $60,060 per year
• 45 to 54 y/o – $1,172 per week, $60,944 per year
• 55 to 64 y/o – $1,134 per week, $58,968 per year
• 65 y/o plus – $1,067 per week, $55,484 per year 

Average Salary for the Most Common Office Jobs

Administrative Assistant

Average Administrative Assistant Salary, by age

• Overall average – $43,456
• 18 – $29,100
• 21 – $41,200
• 25 – $54,000
• 35 – $66,600
• 45 – $70,800
• 55+ – $77,600

Job description

Administrative assistants contribute to the smooth, day-to-day functioning of an office. Their duties may include filing papers, making appointments, answering the phone, greeting visitors, and providing basic assistance to other office employees. 

It is integral that administrative assistants have high levels of people skills, conducting themselves professionally and with a good-natured attitude, since they are often dealing with colleagues across multiple aspects of the business. The duties of an administrative assistant typically fall under moderate supervision, with the majority of people in this role reporting directly to their supervisor or manager.

Some types of administrative assistants may earn significantly higher salaries when compared to the average, with executive administrative assistant salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics placing the average at $62,060 per year. Additionally, senior administrative assistants can expect to have an average annual income somewhere between $54,000 and $68,000.

How to become an administrative assistant

You do not need a college degree to become an administrative assistant; usually, only a high school diploma is required. Although, 1-3 years of related experience is often necessary to secure a position, there are also positions that may not require any experience if the candidate has received specialized training and/or certification. 

Receptionist

Average Receptionist Salary, by age

• Overall average – $45,720 per year, $3,810 per month
• 18 – $24,800
• 21 – $34,100
• 25 – $48,600
• 35 – $59,200
• 45 – $62,500
• 55+ – $68,100

Job description

Receptionists welcome and assist customers, patients, suppliers, and anyone else who physically enters the company’s office or facility. They also typically serve as the first point of contact for incoming phone calls. Receptionists usually report to a supervisor under the close supervision of senior personnel in the functional area.

Given that they’re often the first person that visitors encounter when dealing with a business, it’s extremely important for receptionists to make a good first impression on everyone they meet. Receptionists may also execute administrative duties such as scheduling meeting rooms, arranging transportation, receiving and sending mail and packages, and responding to internal and external inquiries. In addition to these tasks, receptionists often undertake a number of ad hoc duties as they arise, helping out around the office to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Some receptionists may earn more or less than others based on the industry that they work in. For example, average medical receptionist salary figures stand at $37,000, whilst hotel receptionist salary figures have a more modest average of $30,500. Dental receptionists are well compensated, with an average base salary of $52,000 and a high-end salary of roughly $72,000.

How to become a receptionist

A high school diploma or equivalent is generally required to become a receptionist; many roles, however, may be filled by attaining roughly a year of general job experience and a basic understanding of fundamental aspects of the work.

Data Entry Clerk

Average Data Entry Clerk Salary, by age

• Overall average – $30,400 per year, $2,530 per month
• 18 – $17,900
• 21 – $24,100
• 25 – $31,300
• 35 – $37,900
• 45 – $41,400
• 55+ – $43,600

Job description

A data entry clerk’s main responsibilities are to input, validate, and update data directly into an organization’s databases. The types of data they are handling will depend on the type of business and current needs. They are often also responsible for some general clerical work such as making spreadsheets, bills, and financial statements for different departments or clients. 

Additionally, data entry clerks are in charge of keeping track of all the hard copies of documents and filing. They must also ensure that the data is backed up on a regular basis, as data loss can be catastrophic for business operations. 

How to become a data entry clerk

If you possess a strong grounding with MS-Office tool sets, like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, this job may be a good fit for you. Because all businesses want to keep their information up-to-date, with minimal delay, demand for data entry clerks has exploded alongside the data-driven nature of the modern economy.

Office Assistant

Average Office Assistant Salary, by age

• Overall average – $30,597
• 18 – $28,018 
• 21 – $29,016 
• 25 – $29,994 
• 35 – $31,158 
• 45 – $31,970 
• 55+ – $33,218 

Job description

An office assistant helps to keep an office running smoothly by performing administrative and clerical tasks as directed by the administrator in-charge or the office manager. 

Tasks that an office assistant conducts may include organizing files, scheduling appointments, writing or proofreading documents, receiving mail, and dealing with customer inquiries. 

How to become an office assistant

A high school diploma is usually the minimum requirement for this position, but some employers prefer associate’s or bachelor’s degree holders. Senior office assistant roles typically require roughly 2 years of experience, however, exceptions can be made for strong candidates.

Account Clerk

Average Account Clerk Salary, by age

• Overall average – $41,040 per year, $3,420 per month
• 18 – $23,500
• 21 – $30,700
• 25 – $42,900
• 35 – $51,600
• 45 – $56,000
• 55+ – $60,500

Job description

An account clerk is responsible for processing payments and transactions in accordance with financial policies. A typical work shift involves handling daily transactions by classifying, computing, and posting accounts receivable data, as well as preparing bills and invoices for banking purposes. 

How to become an accounting clerk

A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration is typically required to become an accounts clerk. However, in some cases, it is possible to get your foot in the door with solid experience or low level qualifications.

Mail Clerk

Average Mail Processing Clerk Salary, by age

• Overall average – $27,960 per year, $2,330 per month
• 18 – $14,600
• 21 – $19,500
• 25 – $28,900
• 35 – $35,200
• 45 – $38,300
• 55+ – $41,500

Job description

A mail clerk works in an office building’s mailroom. They are extremely organized and excel at paperwork tasks. Mail clerks are in charge of organizing physical mail and ensuring that it reaches the intended recipient or department. They also ensure that the company’s offices have adequate mail supplies.

Unfortunately, maintaining a position as a mail clerk doesn’t seem to have much salary growth potential to reach the upper thresholds of potential office job earnings. However, if you thrive on being organized, and get a kick out of sorting and categorizing things, a job as a mail clerk could very well suit your nature and provide high levels of work satisfaction. 

How to become a mail clerk

Becoming a mail clerk typically only requires a high school diploma and some general work experience, so this role is one that most jobseekers of any age or background could apply for if they’re looking to work in an office environment.

Highest Paid Office Jobs and Their Average Salaries by Age

Account Manager

Account Manager Average Salary, by age

• Overall average – $108,120 per year, $9,010 per month
• 21 – $58,600
• 25 – $80,800
• 30 – $115,000
• 35 – $140,000
• 45 – $148,000
• 55+ – $161,000

Account manager expected salary growth

The biggest percentage jumps in salary for account managers usually occur after gaining 2-5 years of experience (+38%), and then after having achieved 5-10 years of experience (+42%).

Job description

Account managers are responsible for developing and maintaining business relationships with large clients in order to increase their employer’s income, as well as seeking out new potential accounts. They also look for business development possibilities within their current client roster. Successful account managers must have a thorough understanding of the company’s products and services, as well as a track record of meeting and exceeding client demands.

Account managers may work in numerous categories, such as sales, marketing, and customer support. They can also serve as intermediaries between the team members who deal directly with a customer’s account. As part of their duties, account managers periodically visit client’s locations to ensure customer satisfaction and the renewal of contracts. They also provide sales quotations and respond to requests for proposals. 

Naturally, some account managers are paid much higher than others. For example, average senior account manager salary data sits at roughly $82,000 per year with the potential for more through commission. Additionally, account manager salaries at Google earn approximately $113,000 per year, illustrating the high-potential for strong compensation at major companies.

How to become an account manager

Applicants looking to become an account manager usually require a bachelor’s degree, along with roughly 4 years of experience working in a related field.

Executive Assistant

Average Executive Assistant Salary by age

• Overall average – $56,400 per year, $4,700 per month
• 21 – $30,600
• 25 – $42,100
• 30 – $60,000
• 35 – $73,000
• 45 – $77,200
• 55+ – $84,000

Executive assistant expected salary growth

Executive assistants typically see the biggest jumps in their salary after attaining 2 to 5 years of experience (+38%). By the time they’ve reached between 5 and 10 years of experience in the role, most executive assistants will find their salaries roughly 42% higher than when they started out.

Average salaries for executive assistants differ dramatically based on location, with those in New York City earning $78,000 per year. Higher averages are also seen in LA, where executive assistants seen an average salary of $67,000 per year. Senior executive assistant salary data shows an average base salary of $72,000 per year across the US, with individuals on the higher-end receiving up to $114,000.

Job description

An Executive Assistant helps an executive to maximize his or her time and has a wide range of administrative and support duties. They are tasked with handling a variety of responsibilities, including independently starting and implementing processes to manage projects, information, and people.

Executive Assistants are often responsible for an executive’s schedule, preparing them for meetings, taking care of follow-up tasks, and arranging travel plans. They also conduct research on behalf of the executive and prepare summaries or reports. 

In addition, they develop positive relationships with others in the organization at all levels to help facilitate the executive’s activities while also maintaining confidentiality. They will typically always report to a C-suite executive in the organization.

How to become an executive assistant

Highly detail-oriented and organized individuals with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree are perfect candidates for an executive assistant role. However, candidates generally require anywhere between 4 and 7 years of office assistant experience before they are able to attain an executive assistant role.

Office Manager

Average Office Manager Salary, by age

• Overall average – $83,880 per year, $6,990 per month
• 21 – $50,300
• 25 – $66,600
• 30 – $89,000
• 35 – $106,000
• 45 – $115,000
• 55+ – $123,000

An office manager’s typical salary growth

On average, the biggest jumps in salary for an office manager occur when they’ve accrued 2 to 5 years of experience (+32%) and after attaining 5 to 10 years’ tenure in the role (+34%). After these steep salary jumps, pay growth tends to slow and then level off in late-career stages. 

Like many other roles, office manager salaries vary dramatically depending on location. For example, office managers in New York City find themselves close to the national average, with average reported annual earnings of $60,700 per year. On the other hand, office managers in Houston seem to have generally lower salaries, at $49,300 per year.

Job description

An office manager oversees day-to-day administrative activities in an organization. They are in charge of communicating with department heads, conveying critical information or policy changes from senior management, and maintaining employee productivity. 

Office managers are frequently one of the first points of contact for both internal and external stakeholders, so professionalism and social skills are tantamount. They generally report to upper management, such as the CEO. Aside from their managerial duties, they may also provide administrative support in smaller firms.

How to become an office manager

To be an office manager, you’ll need 3 to 5 years of experience in the industry as a productive individual contributor, supervisor experience, and a thorough understanding of the functional area and department procedures. In some hiring situations, for technical and highly specialized sectors especially, companies might prefer that applicants also have a bachelor’s degree.

Project Coordinator

Average Project Coordinator Salary, by age

• Overall average – $123,600 per year, $10,300 per month
• 21 – $75,300
• 25 – $92,400
• 30 – $131,000
• 35 – $153,000
• 45 – $168,000
• 55+ – $178,000

Project coordinator expected salary growth

A career as a project coordinator provides great opportunities for continued growth in pay, although, this gradually levels off and typically caps out at roughly $178,000 for those with 20 years of experience. The biggest jump in earnings for project coordinators typically occurs after they have 5 to 10 years of experience behind them, with most reports showing a 42% difference between senior project coordinator salaries and entry level project coordinator salaries.

Job description

A project coordinator is in charge of getting all the project deliverables completed on time and on budget. They’re also in charge of scheduling all client meetings and making required modifications with projects, as well as organizing internal scrum calls or stand-up meetings. Additionally, a project coordinator manages sprint planning, retrospective meetings, and other similar gatherings.

It is important to have a competent project manager to ensure that all objectives and deadlines are accomplished. Because they are ultimately in command of successful project completion, project coordinators are well compensated for their responsibilities.

How to become a project coordinator

In general, landing a position as a project coordinator usually requires a high school diploma or undergraduate degree in the pertinent field. A professional certification in project management can also demonstrate that you have the necessary abilities for the job to potential employers. 

However, you may be able to work as a project coordinator even if you do not have prior experience. Employers in this sector are searching for certain kinds of expertise, skills, and personality traits. If you can demonstrate that you possess these, you will have a good chance of being successful

Call Center Manager

Average Call Center Manager Salary, by age

• Overall average – $119,760 per year, $9,980 per month
• 21 – $62,500
• 25 – $83,500
• 30 – $123,000
• 35 – $150,000
• 45 – $164,000
• 55+ – $178,000

Call center manager expected salary growth

On average, call center managers tend to see the largest jumps in their salary earnings when they’ve accrued 2 to 5 years of experience, with an average wage increase of 35% compared to when they started. Those who work in this role for 5 to 10 years can expect a 48% increase from their starting salary.

Job description

A call center manager is in charge of a call center’s daily operations and works to synchronize worker activities. In these inevitably fast-paced environments, call center managers develop customer relationships, prepare working plans, and handle complaints. They also recruit and train employees, as well as create regular reports on company action initiatives.

How to become a call center manager

A call center manager has broad responsibility for the operation of a call center, including hiring and training, scheduling appointments, employee management, and communication with customers. Prerequisites for this role typically include a background in office management or customer service. Formal degrees aren’t required, but may be beneficial.

Vocational training and university are some of the most popular routes to pursue this career, with many call center managers entering their roles after completing studies related to business, marketing, IT, and other similar fields. However, to qualify for working as a call center manager, you will generally need 3 years or more of managerial experience.

Procurement Analyst

Average Procurement Analyst Salary, by age

• Overall average – $105,480 per year, $8,790 per month
• 21 – $63,000
• 25 – $83,800
• 30 – $112,000
• 35 – $134,000
• 45 – $144,000
• 55+ – $155,000

Procurement specialist expected salary growth

Procurement analysts are very well compensated. After just 2 to 5 years of experience, you can expect to be earning 32% more than when you started in the role. Additionally, another big jump in pay occurs around the 5 to 10 year mark, where a 34% pay jump is tacked on.

Job description

The procurement analyst is the linchpin of many companies, especially those involved in physical production, since they are in charge of acquiring goods and services at a suitable price for the company. They are also in charge of verifying the quality and pricing of supplies provided, ensuring that these factors are within allowable limits. 

There are several sectors offering highly lucrative procurement analyst jobs that you could look to entering if you want a high-paying, office-based job.

How to become a procurement Analyst

Most procurement analyst roles require 3 years of experience in a related field and intimate knowledge of the functional area. A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, is often required as well. If you have excellent bargaining skills and a pleasant relationship-building attitude, this career might be right up your alley.

The Continued Relevance of Office Jobs

The death of the office that was foretold by many during the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic has largely borne out untrue. Whilst instances of remote work and flexible scheduling have undoubtedly increased, office spaces themselves still remain core to the vast majority of business operations. There have, however, been many observable changes in physical workplaces, and the job market at large, look and feel in this ‘new world of world’. Some of the most obvious of these changes include the greater acceptance of hybrid work schedules, heightened accommodations for employee wellness, and the increased prevalence of signing bonuses and salary bumps for highly-demanded roles.

Businesses have spent the better part of the last two and a half years optimizing their offices to provide a communal and collaborative environment for their employees, with the ultimate goal of spurring productivity, improving workplace culture, and facilitating innovation. These spaces also provide a distinct separation between work and home, something that many people found themselves craving after years of pandemic-necessitated remote work.

Additionally, many office jobs – including the majority of those we will be exploring in this article – don’t require formal qualifications. So, almost anyone can enter these roles after gaining proper entry-level experience and becoming familiar with the tools required to complete the job.

What to Do to Maximize Your Earning Potential

Achieving success in your current role, or possessing transferable life and job skills, can help qualify you for many of the office jobs listed above. Gradually accruing skills and experience on the job, or via self-guided upskilling and in-demand qualification attainment, can help you to eventually achieve higher salary expectations. You could also pursue formal qualifications, such as a master’s degree or additional bachelor’s degrees.

If you want to be promoted or receive a pay raise, aim to improve your performance at work, engage in learning opportunities, and volunteer for leadership roles. By doing so, you’ll demonstrate that you’re a valuable employee with aspirations within the company, and that you’re capable of taking on more responsibility.

Networking and Leveraging Your Current Connections

If you desire working in lucrative office positions, work out ways of connecting with people who can directly put you in touch with open jobs. If you’re presently employed as a corporate secretary, for example, you can leverage your position to network with senior executive assistants. 

Networking might also help you get good advice that will help you improve your current job performance. To establish contact with seasoned experts in your industry, you should also consider joining long-standing professional networks in your field or in the sector you want to work in.

Further Insights

Looking for more articles about the US office market and general office matters? You can find a number of recent posts below! Alternatively, if you’re a business or freelancer looking for flexible workspace in the US, we can help to connect you to a wide range of serviced offices and coworking spaces in highly sought-after locations such as New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, and Dallas. You can also call us to have a discussion about your requirements on 972-913-2742.

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Tags: 2022, administration, age, average salaries, office jobs, Office Space, pay, salary, statistics, wage

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 13th, 2022 at 5:21 am and is filed under 2022, Office Relations, Office Talk, Salary Expectations, Trends and Statistics.