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Executive Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does an Executive Assistant make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Executive Assistant in the United States is $88,739 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

However, an Executive Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $109,316
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $79,423 to $99,510
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,941
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Executive Assistant Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Executive Assistant Salaries

An Executive Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Executive Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Executive Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $61,950
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $71,881
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $86,495
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $97,753
  • Expert (over 8 years): $117,227
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Executive Assistant I less than 1 year $61,950
Executive Assistant II 1-2 years $71,881
Executive Assistant 2-4 years $86,495
Executive Assistant IV 5-8 years $97,753
Executive Assistant V over 8 years $117,227

How Do Executive Assistant Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Executive Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $98,251.
  • California: $97,879.
  • Massachusetts: $96,574.

Top Paying Cities for Executive Assistant

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $111,926
  • San Francisco: $110,701
  • Oakland: $108,368

Executive Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Executive Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Executive Assistant positions in Telecom or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Executive Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Executive Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services $115,360 $55.0 30%
Pharmaceuticals $115,360 $55.0 30%
Biotechnology $110,923 $53.0 25%
Insurance $106,486 $51.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $104,712 $50.0 18%

How Education impacts an Executive Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Executive Assistant professionals enter the field with a Associate's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Executive Assistant with a Associate's is between $85,896 and $91,763.

Executive Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Executive Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1%
High School 26.3%
Associate's Degree 19.2%
Bachelor's Degree 46.2%
Master's Degree or MBA 6.9%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.2%
View as Graph

Executive Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Executive Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$79,423
Average $88,739/year
$99,510
$6,619
Average $7,395/month
$8,292
$1,527
Average $1,707/week
$1,914
$38
Average $43/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $99,510 $8,292 $1,914 $48
Average $88,739 $7,395 $1,707 $43
25th Percentile $79,423 $6,619 $1,527 $38

Most common benefits for Executive Assistant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Executive Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Executive Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Executive Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Executive Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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    Senior Sales Executive

    Paul Davis Restoration | Ashburn, VA

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FAQ about Executive Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Executive Assistant?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Executive Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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