Executive Assistant Salary in 2026
Executive assistants provide high-level administrative support to executives, managing calendars, coordinating travel, preparing reports, and handling confidential communications.
Median Salary
$76,590
$6,383/mo
Entry Level
$50,700
starting pay
Senior Level
$94,300
experienced
Job Growth
-6%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants (SOC 43-6011) at a national median of $76,590 per year (mean $79,140), or $36.82 per hour, with 459,910 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Executive Assistant Overview
Executive assistants provide high-level administrative support to executives, managing calendars, coordinating travel, preparing reports, and handling confidential communications.
Education
Associate's Degree
Experience
2-5 years
Industry
Management
Total Jobs (US)
460K
5-Year Growth
+10%
Category
Management
Hourly Rate
$36.82/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,383
Executive Assistant Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Executive Assistant salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Executive Assistant Salary
$79,000
$6,583/month · $3,038/biweekly · $37.98/hr
Executive Assistant Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Executive Assistant field.
Entry-level Executive Assistants earn around $50,700, while the top 10% earn $106,050 or more.
Top Paying States for Executive Assistants
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $90,000 | +$13,410 |
| New York | $88,000 | +$11,410 |
| Illinois | $80,000 | +$3,410 |
| Texas | $75,000 | $-1,590 |
| Florida | $75,000 | $-1,590 |
Top Paying Cities for Executive Assistants
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $90,000 | +$13,410 |
| Los Angeles | $86,000 | +$9,410 |
| Chicago | $80,000 | +$3,410 |
| Miami | $78,000 | +$1,410 |
| Dallas | $77,000 | +$410 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Executive Assistant Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Executive Assistant.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Executive Assistant Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Executive Assistant from entry level to expert.
$50,700
0-2 years
$73,000
3-7 years
$94,300
8-14 years
$117,800
15+ years
Related Management Jobs
Executive Assistant Salary FAQ
How much does a Executive Assistant make in 2026?
The median salary for a Executive Assistant in the United States is $76,590 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants (SOC 43-6011); the mean is $79,140. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $50,700, senior professionals around $94,300, and top earners at $117,800 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Executive Assistant?
A Executive Assistant typically requires a Associate's Degree with 2-5 years of experience. Key skills include Calendar Management, Travel Coordination, Microsoft Office. Relevant certifications such as CAP Certification or Microsoft Office Specialist can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Executive Assistants?
The job market for Executive Assistants is projected to grow by -6% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 460K Executive Assistant positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 10%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Executive Assistants the most?
The highest-paying states for Executive Assistants include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $88,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Executive Assistant salary?
To increase your Executive Assistant salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Calendar Management and Travel Coordination. Pursue certifications such as CAP Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 2-5 years of experience, you can progress from $50,700 to $94,300 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Executive Assistant Salary
How we calculate Executive Assistant salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants (SOC 43-6011), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $76,590, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants; BLS mean $79,140; BLS hourly median $36.82.
- Entry-level ($50,700) and senior-level ($94,300) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: -6% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 459,910 Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 10% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Management sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Associate's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $76,590; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Executive Assistant compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Executive Assistant job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Management
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Executive Assistant salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Calendar Management, Travel Coordination, Microsoft Office), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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