Salary AI Book a Demo

Executive Assistant Salary in California

How much does an Executive Assistant make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Executive Assistant in California is $97,866 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,565
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,592 to $109,747
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $78,237
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Executive Assistant Job Openings in California

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 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): $68,331
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $79,278
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $95,391
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $107,821
  • Expert (over 8 years): $129,303
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Executive Assistant I less than 1 year $68,331
Executive Assistant II 1-2 years $79,278
Executive Assistant 2-4 years $95,391
Executive Assistant IV 5-8 years $107,821
Executive Assistant V over 8 years $129,303

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: $98,239.
  • California: $97,866.
  • Massachusetts: $96,562.

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:

  • Los Angeles: $98,034
  • West Hollywood: $97,963
  • Dodgertown: $98,034

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 $127,226 $61.0 30%
Pharmaceuticals $127,226 $61.0 30%
Biotechnology $122,332 $59.0 25%
Insurance $117,439 $56.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $115,482 $56.0 18%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$87,592
Average $97,866/year
$109,747
$7,299
Average $8,155/month
$9,146
$1,684
Average $1,882/week
$2,111
$42
Average $47/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $109,747 $9,146 $2,111 $53
Average $97,866 $8,155 $1,882 $47
25th Percentile $87,592 $7,299 $1,684 $42

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.

  • TrustedTech | Irvine, CA

    Executive Assistant

    TrustedTech | Irvine, CA

    Who We Are. TrustedTech is a leading Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) specializing in Microsoft Cloud services, Microsoft perpetual licensing, and M... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Artists First | Los Angeles, CA

    Executive Assistant

    Artists First | Los Angeles, CA

    EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT. Artists First is seeking an experienced entertainment Assistant. The ideal candidate is a proactive self-starter with excellent commun... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Aurelius Systems | Fremont, CA

    Executive Assistant

    Aurelius Systems | Fremont, CA

    Who We Are. Aurelius Systems is a VC backed defense tech startup building autonomous, edge deployed directed energy systems for counter-UAS. We build laser... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Aurelius Systems | Alameda, CA

    Executive Assistant

    Aurelius Systems | Alameda, CA

    Who We Are. Aurelius Systems is a VC backed defense tech startup building autonomous, edge deployed directed energy systems for counter-UAS. We build laser... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Aurelius Systems | San Jose, CA

    Executive Assistant

    Aurelius Systems | San Jose, CA

    Who We Are. Aurelius Systems is a VC backed defense tech startup building autonomous, edge deployed directed energy systems for counter-UAS. We build laser... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Aurelius Systems | San Francisco, CA

    Executive Assistant

    Aurelius Systems | San Francisco, CA

    Who We Are. Aurelius Systems is a VC backed defense tech startup building autonomous, edge deployed directed energy systems for counter-UAS. We build laser... more

    7 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst