Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: 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
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Median annual salary
199,800 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $56,320 more per year than Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive professionals — that's 121.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive earns $64,150 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $31,600 | $60,690 | $-29,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,770 | $79,520 | $-41,750 |
| Median (50th) | $46,290 | $102,610 | $-56,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,650 | $131,870 | $-76,220 |
| 90th Percentile | $64,150 | $166,960 | $-102,810 |
| Mean (Average) | $47,640 | $110,260 | $-62,620 |
Employment Numbers
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
1,737,820
employed nationwide
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
199,800
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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $165,700 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $139,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $131,640 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $127,940 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,430 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
What is the salary range for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
What is the salary range for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
How many Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers 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