How much does an office worker make?
a year · about $22 an hour
A typical office worker in the United States makes $45,670 a year, about $22 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Depending on the specialty, an office worker might answer calls, update records, and sort files at a computer. They may also schedule meetings or help coworkers and visitors, but the tasks differ widely across this catch-all job group.
Did you know? “All Other” is a catch-all: the U.S. job list gives examples as different as envelope stuffers, fingerprint clerks, and notaries public.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $31,090 and $71,940How do you become one?
Most U.S. workers in this category need a high school diploma or equivalent and short on-the-job training; related experience is not typically required. Build computer skills, then learn workplace procedures; some specialties need extra training.
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can vary with experience, useful skills or credentials, and the type of employer or industry. Location and hours or shifts matter too, and this “all other” category includes specialties with different duties and training needs.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($68,600), lowest in West Virginia ($26,580).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a office worker averages $35,245. Office worker salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $31,090 | $45,670 | $71,940 | about 192,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $68,600 | about 1,000 |
| North Dakota | $54,200 | about 2,000 |
| California | $54,020 | about 23,000 |
| Colorado | $53,460 | about 2,000 |
| Virginia | $53,170 | about 6,000 |
Official definition: All office and administrative support workers not listed separately.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/general-office-clerks.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/soc/2018/soc_2018_manual.pdf
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-9199.00
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY