Salary guide
Executive Assistant Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What executive assistants earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median executive assistant salary in the U.S. is $76,590 per year, or $36.82 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $50,560, while the top 10% earned more than $109,850.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Executive Assistant pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,560 | $24.31 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $61,390 | $29.51 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $76,590 | $36.82 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $94,390 | $45.38 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $109,850 | $52.81 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $61,390 | $76,590 | $94,390 |
| Per month | $5,116 | $6,383 | $7,866 |
| Every two weeks | $2,361 | $2,946 | $3,630 |
| Per week | $1,181 | $1,473 | $1,815 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects executive assistant pay
- Industry and company size
- Professional credentials (CPA, PMP, SHRM-CP, paralegal certificates)
- Software skills such as Excel, QuickBooks, CRM and HR systems
- Remote or hybrid roles tied to higher-cost labor markets
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as an executive assistant
- Get credentialed: Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Microsoft Office Specialist, Project management training.
- Build specialty experience: Support a senior leader.
- Move up: roles such as senior executive assistant and chief of staff or operations manager typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Executive Assistant pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of executive assistants to change by 0.0% from 2025–35, little or no change compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 43,300 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 43-6011 (“Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Executive Assistant salary FAQ
How much does an executive assistant make per hour?
The median hourly wage for executive assistants was $36.82 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $24.31 and the top 10% earned about $52.81 or more.
How much does an executive assistant make a month?
At the median annual wage of $76,590, that works out to about $6,383 per month before taxes, or about $2,946 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for an executive assistant?
New executive assistants often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $50,560 and the 25th percentile was $61,390 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can executive assistants earn more?
Common ways include earning Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) and Microsoft Office Specialist, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as senior executive assistant.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-6011 (Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.