How much does an Executive Assistant make?

The average salary for an Executive Assistant is $69,908 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 51466 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Executive Assistant employees in United States.

The highest salary for an Executive Assistant in United States is $85,618 per year.

The lowest salary for an Executive Assistant in United States is $57,277 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming an Executive Assistant or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of an Executive Assistant.

Executive assistant jobs offer insider access to a variety of professions. While base pay is modest, the role provides the opportunity for direct contact with an organization’s leaders, as well as the chance to see behind the scenes of a given industry. Candidates can increase their pay by gaining work experience, working for private-sector firms or upskilling through community college courses. They can often use their experience and connections to move into higher-paying roles, such as an office manager position.

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According to anonymous executive assistants on Glassdoor, about 75% of those in the role consider their salary satisfactory. Some executive assistants may earn approximately $3,826.93 in additional pay each year. These factors can help make an executive assistant salary qualify as good.

Your total pay as an executive assistant depends on your level of experience and education. It can range from $47,900.37 to $102,594.77 over the span of your career. According to the average executive assistant career path, average total pay is $69,907.87. Executive assistants in specialized industries, such as tech, medical or legal, may be paid more than those working in fields like government or non-profit.

To qualify for a better salary as an executive assistant, you may need more experience and education. Returning to school to earn an advanced or specialized degree in a related field, such as business or public relations, is one road to a higher salary. General executive assistant certifications, such as the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) and Advance Certificate for the Executive Assistant (ACEA) accreditations, test your skills on relevant and in-demand areas including:

- Human resources

- Organization

- Record and time management

- Financial functions

- Planning skills

If your skills aren't up to scratch in those areas, build on them.

Negotiating a fair salary in an executive assistant role requires research and confidence in your abilities. Go into the negotiations with knowledge of what someone in your area with your qualifications is paid. If you are a newcomer to the position, point out relevant strengths, including training, related experience, and abilities like organizational and social skills and the ability to perform well under deadlines and pressure. When negotiating a salary increase in your present job, highlight your accomplishments and helpful abilities, such as:

- Important successful projects you have participated in

- Willingness to go above and beyond for the team

- Reliability and punctuality when working on a deadline

- Organizational skills