Administrative professionals are curious to know why even with identical job specifications, there is a gulf of difference in  pay packets for two separate individuals. There are many reasons for that like variance in the Industry concerned, the Employers and also the geographical location of the Industry. However, going by the trend of the industry, the following summing up is possible for the benefit of intending job seekers:

It is observed that financial industry pays the best and particularly the investment banking tops the list. If some administrative staff is working as a brokers assistant, he not only gets his fat pay packet, he also gets a commission on top more or less regularly that makes it really alluring for any salaried person.

The next best paying industry is Legal. In fact, it is proper to say if only salary aspect is  taken in to consideration, the Legal Industry is paying the best salaries to administrative support staff as per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the same trend is expected to continue for some more time. The Legal Secretary may not be getting the profit sharing incentives like his counterpart in the financial sector; the salary structure itself in the legal sector is good enough to take care of other shortcomings. Further, there is a creamy layer of overtime payment also in this sector.

There are some options for some who are single or do not have much of an obligation in the family front or encumbrances of any type, who may work as personal assistant to big wigs. There earnings also seen to be in top brackets. But, there services are round the clock bound so to say since they may be summoned at any time of the day or night and also find it ticklish sometime as it involves the private life of the boss.

People who join glamorous industry for long time gains, are no gainer for considerable period of their career in the beginning. The industry like fashion houses, advertisement sector and publishing houses normally pay less to administrative staff.

The city in which a person works, also plays an important role in determining the pay packets.  Important cities anywhere in the world always synonymous to higher pay for similar jobs when compared to less important or smaller cities. However, the cost of living takes care of most of the differences as one may say so.