In the United States, the rank of Assistant Secretary denotes a high level civilian official within the United States federal government. An official of sub-Cabinet rank, Assistant Secretaries are appointed by the President of the United States with the consent of the United States Senate and are assigned to assist a specific Cabinet Secretary. Assistant Secretaries often manage major programs administered by a Cabinet Department. Assistant Secretaries are generally the lowest level "Secretarial" positions appointed directly by the President.
Assistant Secretaries are generally Level IV positions within the Executive Schedule, ranking below the position of Under Secretary. Since January 2010, the annual rate of pay for Level III is $155,500.