Executive assistant pay is driven by who you support, where you work, and how much responsibility you carry. Here is the full picture of EA compensation in 2026.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $50,560 | $24.31 |
| 25th | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| 50th (median) | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| 75th | $94,390 | $45.38 |
| 90th | $109,850 | $52.81 |
| Average (mean) | $79,140 | $38.05 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Executive Assistant Salary Overview
By Experience Level
| Experience | Salary Range | Typical Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (0-2 years) | $45,000-$58,000 | Small-mid company |
| Mid (3-6 years) | $60,000-$80,000 | Mid-large company |
| Experienced (7-12 years) | $80,000-$105,000 | Large company, senior exec |
| Senior (12+ years) | $100,000-$140,000+ | C-suite, Fortune 500 |
By Executive Supported
| Executive Level | Average EA Salary |
|---|---|
| Mid-level manager | $50,000-$65,000 |
| Director / VP | $65,000-$82,000 |
| C-suite (CFO, COO, CTO) | $85,000-$115,000 |
| CEO (large public company) | $100,000-$145,000 |
| CEO (Fortune 100) | $120,000-$160,000+ |
Salary by Industry
| Industry | Average EA Salary |
|---|---|
| Finance / private equity / hedge funds | $95,000-$145,000 |
| Technology (FAANG/large tech) | $90,000-$135,000 |
| Consulting (Big 4, MBB) | $80,000-$120,000 |
| Healthcare (hospital system) | $65,000-$88,000 |
| Government / education | $52,000-$72,000 |
| Legal (Big Law) | $75,000-$110,000 |
| Manufacturing / industrial | $60,000-$82,000 |
| Nonprofit | $50,000-$68,000 |
Salary by City
| City | Average EA Salary |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $95,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | $92,000 |
| Boston, MA | $82,000 |
| Washington, DC | $80,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $82,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $72,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $78,000 |
| Dallas, TX | $65,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | $62,000 |
| National average | $79,140 |
EA vs. Administrative Assistant vs. Personal Assistant
| Role | Scope | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative assistant | General office support | $43,000-$55,000 |
| Executive assistant | Senior exec support, project work | $65,000-$105,000 |
| Personal assistant | Personal + professional mix | $55,000-$90,000 |
| Chief of Staff | Strategic, leadership-adjacent | $110,000-$200,000+ |
Key Skills That Boost EA Pay
| Skill | Additional Value |
|---|---|
| Board meeting coordination | +$8,000-$20,000 |
| International travel logistics | +$5,000-$12,000 |
| CRM / Salesforce proficiency | +$5,000-$15,000 |
| Financial reporting support | +$8,000-$18,000 |
| Project management (PMP) | +$8,000-$15,000 |
| Confidential executive communications | Premium factor |
| Bilingual (Spanish/Mandarin in relevant markets) | +$5,000-$15,000 |
Career Path: EA to Chief of Staff
Many experienced EAs transition to Chief of Staff roles:
| Years | Role | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 | Administrative assistant | $45,000-$58,000 |
| 3-7 | Executive assistant | $65,000-$90,000 |
| 7-12 | Senior / lead EA | $90,000-$120,000 |
| 12-18 | Chief of Staff | $120,000-$200,000 |
| 18+ | VP / director of operations | $160,000-$280,000 |
How to Move from $65k to $100k+ as an EA
- Target C-suite roles — supporting a CEO or CFO adds $20,000-$40,000 versus a VP-level role
- Move to higher-paying industries — finance and tech generally pay more than nonprofits
- Develop specialized skills — board governance, financial modeling support, international travel logistics
- Geographic move — relocating from a mid-market city to NYC or SF adds $20,000-$30,000
- Earn project management credentials — PMP or CSM signals strategic capability
Job Outlook
The BLS projects employment of executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants to stay about flat from 2025 to 2035 (and secretaries and administrative assistants overall to decline 2%), but executive assistants at senior levels are more insulated — demand for experienced C-suite EAs remains strong. The role has evolved into a high-trust strategic support position that is difficult to automate.
Related: HR Manager Salary | Project Manager Salary | Marketing Manager Salary
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
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