Executive Assistant Salary Comparison Tool

What is the average executive assistant salary in 2026?

According to Indeed, the average executive assistant salary in the US is approximately $71,746 per year as of early 2026, based on over 12,600 reported salaries.

According to Indeed salary data updated in March 2026, the average base salary for executive assistants in the United States is approximately $71,746 per year, with a reported range from roughly $43,572 on the low end to $118,138 at the high end. That wide range reflects how dramatically pay varies by employer type, industry, and the executive level supported.

PayScale, drawing from more than 14,000 salary profiles updated through February 2026, reports an average base salary of approximately $67,483, with the middle 80 percent of earners falling between roughly $47,000 and $93,000. These two figures from different reporting methodologies bracket the realistic market range for most working EAs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks secretaries and administrative assistants as a combined category and reported a May 2024 median annual wage of $47,460 for that broader group. True executive assistant roles at the C-suite level typically sit well above that figure, which makes profession-specific benchmarking essential.

How does industry affect executive assistant compensation in 2026?

Finance and technology industries pay executive assistants a notable premium above the national average, while nonprofits and education organizations typically pay below it.

Industry is one of the most powerful predictors of executive assistant pay, often outweighing years of experience at the same level. Finance and technology firms compete intensely for skilled EAs who can manage complex calendars, confidential communications, and board-level logistics. Their compensation packages reflect that demand.

Nonprofits and government agencies operate under different budget constraints. EAs in those sectors frequently perform comparable work to their corporate peers but earn below the national average. Healthcare and legal sectors tend to sit in the above-average range, driven by specialized terminology requirements and strict confidentiality standards.

When evaluating a job offer or preparing for a raise conversation, industry context matters as much as title. An EA supporting a hedge fund managing director in New York and an EA supporting a university provost in the Midwest may hold identical titles but face entirely different compensation markets. This tool lets you select your industry so the benchmarks you see reflect your actual competitive landscape.

How does the level of executive supported affect EA pay?

Executive assistants supporting CEOs and C-suite executives earn measurably more than those supporting VP-level or director-level managers, even with similar experience.

The executive level you support is a key factor in your market value. C-suite EAs handle higher-stakes communications, board materials, investor relations logistics, and often manage junior administrative staff. That expanded scope commands a pay premium that does not always show up in job titles.

PayScale data from early 2026 shows that late-career EAs average approximately $73,831 in base salary, with the top 10 percent exceeding $102,000. A meaningful share of those top earners are EAs with direct access to CEOs, CFOs, or boards of directors at large enterprises. Entry-level EAs supporting managers average closer to $50,922, illustrating the full scope of the pay ladder.

If your responsibilities have expanded to include C-suite or board-level support but your title and pay have not been updated to reflect it, you may be leaving significant compensation on the table. Document your actual scope before your next review and use benchmarks for the executive level you genuinely support, not just your formal job title.

How does location influence executive assistant salaries in 2026?

San Francisco and New York pay executive assistants far above the national average, while Southern and Midwest cities pay considerably less for comparable roles.

Geographic location creates large salary differences for executive assistants, even when job duties are nearly identical. Indeed reports that San Francisco EAs average approximately $108,481 per year, while New York EAs average about $94,722. Both cities combine high living costs with dense concentrations of well-funded employers in finance, technology, and media.

Washington, DC averages approximately $82,141, driven by federal contractors, lobbying firms, and policy organizations that require EAs with discretion and political literacy. Southern and Midwest markets pay considerably less: Atlanta averages around $64,628 per year for executive assistants, according to the same Indeed data.

Remote and hybrid arrangements add complexity to geographic benchmarking. Some employers pay based on the company headquarters location regardless of where the EA lives. Others adjust pay downward when an EA works remotely from a lower-cost region. Entering your actual location and remote preference in this tool will show you the geographic market rate most relevant to your situation.

What does experience level mean for executive assistant salary progression?

PayScale data from 2026 shows executive assistant pay rises from roughly $51,000 at entry level to approximately $74,000 for late-career professionals with 20 or more years of experience.

PayScale data shows a clear progression across experience levels for executive assistants. Entry-level EAs with less than one year of experience average approximately $50,922 in base salary. Early-career EAs with one to four years of experience average approximately $58,959, and mid-career EAs with five to nine years average approximately $65,823.

Late-career EAs with 20 or more years of experience average approximately $73,831, with the top 10 percent of that group earning above $102,000. That roughly 45 percent increase from entry-level to late-career reflects both skill accumulation and, for many, a natural progression toward supporting more senior executives over time.

Years of experience alone, however, do not tell the full story. An EA who has spent 10 years supporting department managers may earn less than an EA with five years who transitioned to C-suite support. The type of executive and complexity of duties can accelerate compensation growth more quickly than tenure alone. Use this tool to benchmark your current level against peers with similar responsibilities, not just similar years on the job.