SalaryByCity

Electrical Engineers 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.

Electrical Engineers

$111,910

Median annual salary

188,790 employed nationally

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

$46,290

Median annual salary

1,737,820 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Electrical Engineers professionals earn $65,620 more per year than Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive professionals — that's 141.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electrical Engineers earns $175,460 compared to $64,150 for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive.

Salary Range Comparison

Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$31,600 – $64,150
$31,600$175,460

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileElectrical EngineersSecretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and ExecutiveDifference
10th Percentile$74,670$31,600+$43,070
25th Percentile$87,590$37,770+$49,820
Median (50th)$111,910$46,290+$65,620
75th Percentile$141,630$55,650+$85,980
90th Percentile$175,460$64,150+$111,310
Mean (Average)$120,980$47,640+$73,340

Employment Numbers

Electrical Engineers

188,790

employed nationwide

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

1,737,820

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Electrical Engineers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$186,920
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$163,840
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$136,820
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$135,480
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$134,900

Best Cities for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

CityMedian
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: Electrical Engineers or Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $65,620 (141.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
What is the salary range for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salaries range from $31,600 (10th percentile) to $64,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $46,290.
How many Electrical Engineers and Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions and 1,737,820 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive to Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 while Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive earns $46,290. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

Career Resources

Career Change Resources

Explore tools and guides for transitioning between careers.

Professional Certifications

Find certifications that can boost your earning potential.

Online Degree Programs

Browse accredited online degrees relevant to these careers.

Resume Writing Services

Get professional help crafting a standout resume.

Explore More

Cost of Living by CityCollege & University DataSalary Calculators

Was this data helpful?

Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS