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Principal Secretary Salary in Bethesda, MD
How much does a Principal Secretary make in Bethesda, MD?
$62,665 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$1,115 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$63,064.44
Entry Level
$46,474
Median
$61,949
Senior Level
$69,707
As of July, 23, 2026, the average principal secretary gross salary in Bethesda, Maryland is $62,665 or an equivalent hourly rate of $30. In addition, principal secretaries earn an average bonus of $1,115. An entry level principal secretary with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $46,474. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level principal secretary with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $69,707. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in Bethesda, Maryland.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Principal Secretary
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Principal Secretary in Bethesda, MD for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Principal Secretary will be $64,288 in 1 year and $71,213 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$65,954
Average Growth
5.2 %
The estimated salary for a Principal Secretary in 2 years is $65,954, which is 5.2 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Principal Secretary Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Principal Secretaries.
- 0% of Principal Secretaries have less than a High School Diploma
- 57% of Principal Secretaries have a High School Diploma
- 0% of Principal Secretaries have an Associate's Degree
- 14% of Principal Secretaries have a Bachelor's Degree
- 29% of Principal Secretaries have a Master's Degree
- 0% of Principal Secretaries have a Doctorate Degree
The typical field of study for a Principal Secretary is Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science.
See how education can impact your salaryPopular Skills for a Principal Secretary
Assists Principal
100%
Composes simple letters
100%
Inputs data
100%
Schedules work
100%
Sets priorities
100%
Supervises secretaries
75%
These are the most popular skills for Principal Secretaries. About 100% of Principal Secretaries have a skill in Assists Principal. The top 3 most popular skills for Principal Secretaries are assists principal, composes simple letters, and inputs data.
See how skills can impact your salaryAre you getting paid what you're worth?
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Principal Secretary Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in Bethesda, MD
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Principal Secretary Jobs
View moreCost of Living in Bethesda, MD
The cost of living in Bethesda, MD is 46% higher than the national average.
46% higher
than the national average
Whether you're planning to move or just want to see the cost of living in different locations, our cost-of-living calculator is the place to start. Compare salaries for other locations by city, U.S. ZIP code, state, or country.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Principal Secretary do?
Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers. Excludes legal, medical, and executive secretaries (43-6011 through 43-6013).
How much does a Principal Secretary make in Bethesda, MD?
The average salary for a Principal Secretary is $62,665 per year or $30.13 per hour in Bethesda, MD. Top earners have reported making up to $69,707. However, the typical pay range in Bethesda, MD is between $46,474 and $69,707 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Principal Secretary?
Principal Secretary is projected to see a 13.6 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Principal Secretary salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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