Imagine this: you find the perfect executive assistant. They're organized, intuitive, have an eye for detail, and can take on responsibilities inside and outside your business's niche. The only problem? You need to figure out how much to pay them. This is a common dilemma among employers and executive assistant recruitment agencies.
Fortunately, this blog will walk you through the salary expectations for executive assistants, including how a virtual marketing assistants growth engine service can enhance your decision-making. Executive assistant salary, or how much to pay an executive assistant, can vary significantly based on location, experience, and the specific duties of the role. Understanding this information can help you create a fair compensation package to attract the right talent to your organization.
Table of Contents
Executive Assistant Salary (How Much Should You Pay Your Executive Assistant?)
What is the Expected ROI From Hiring an Executive Assistant?
Deciding What Executive Assistant Salary Range is Right for You
What is an Executive Assistant?
An executive assistant provides administrative support at an executive level within the company. The main tasks of an executive assistant are:
Handling office management duties
Making travel arrangements
Handling calendar events
Organizing reports and documents
Answering phone calls
Screening visitors
Many other similar duties
What Education and Skills Does an Executive Assistant Need?
The basic education requirement to become an executive assistant is an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree. As far as the specialization field is concerned, no particular subject is usually required.
Most companies don’t need any other specific certifications in the job requirements, but if the candidate holds any certification in a related field, it can prove helpful in career advancement. Skills that are most often necessary include:
Problem-solving
Time management
Organizational
Interpersonal
Project management
Related software knowledge
How Do Companies Structure Their Executive Assistant Roles?
Many companies hire separate executive assistants for each executive officer. Nevertheless, smaller companies may hire one executive assistant for several executives. It usually depends on the size of the company and the needs of the executives. If the executive officers cover more significant tasks, they would need separate executive assistants and vice versa.
What is the Salary Range for Executive Assistants?
In the United States, the typical annual salary for an Executive Assistant is approximately $64,835. An executive assistant is crucial in ensuring a business runs effectively. They provide valuable support to executives, allowing them to focus on strategic planning and decision-making while handling many day-to-day tasks that keep a business moving forward.
Executive Assistant Salary (How Much Should You Pay Your Executive Assistant?)
Determining the right salary for an executive assistant can feel like solving a puzzle where the pieces range from budget to experience level to the type of support you need. In 2024, the average pay for an experienced, U.S.-based executive assistant is between $35–$60 per hour and $25–50 in Canada. But the truth is, this range can vary significantly depending on the circumstances.
The Range of Executive Assistant Salaries
At the higher end of the spectrum, high-level executive assistants, particularly those supporting C-suite executives in major cities, can earn $100,000 annually or more. The Wall Street Journal even highlighted an executive assistant pulling in a staggering $400,000 per year, proving that companies are willing to pay top dollar for the right combination of skills, expertise, and responsibilities. But not every EA role commands such a jaw-dropping paycheck. For most executives, the sweet spot for an experienced, reliable assistant is between $65,000 and $90,000 annually, which translates to $35–$60 per hour.
The Rise of Remote Executive Assistants
The shift toward remote work makes hiring a virtual executive assistant more accessible and cost-effective than ever. Many companies are embracing remote assistants to cut costs while maintaining access to top-tier talent. Without expenses like office space, equipment, and benefits, a remote executive assistant can deliver high-quality support for the same $35–$60 hourly rate without the full-time commitment. You might spend even less if you’re seeking help with specific, one-off tasks like data entry, phone answering, or online research. Virtual assistant platforms offer services starting as low as $10 per hour, though you’ll need to weigh the trade-offs in expertise and reliability.
What Should You Pay?
Your salary should align with the support you need and the value you expect. Are you hiring someone to manage your schedule, handle communications, and be your strategic partner? Or do you need help with more straightforward administrative tasks? In making your decision, consider these three steps:
Visualize the ROI: Consider how much time and productivity an assistant will save you and the impact of that reclaimed time on your bottom line.
Understand Influencing Factors: Several factors, from location to experience to the type of contract, determine the final number.
Make an Informed Choice: Whether with a full-time, high-level EA or a part-time remote assistant, balance your needs with your budget.
Your executive assistant's “right” salary reflects their value to your business and supports your goals without breaking the bank.
AssistantOS and 24/7 Support
Founders Arm helps startups and agencies supercharge their growth with highly trained virtual marketing assistants. We specialize in finding top-tier offshore talent beyond basic admin. Our assistants are skilled in:
Social media management
GTM strategy execution
Comprehensive marketing support
Our unique offering includes:
AssistantOS (detailed blueprints for delegation and automation)
24/7 customer support capabilities
A rigorous selection process where we handpick the perfect assistants from over 1,000 candidates.
Each assistant is screened for:
Excellent English
Relevant experience
A proven track record with offshore companies
We offer affordable rates without placement fees, perfect for funded startups (pre-seed, seed) and consumer apps looking to scale from 1 to 100.
Our assistants help you reclaim your time and amplify your growth strategy by supporting tasks such as:
Customer support
Email management
Social media
Admin tasks
Drop your email and company to get a free custom plan on delegating tasks within your business and scale intelligently.
Related Reading
• Executive Assistant vs Personal Assistant
• Executive Assistant vs Administrative Assistant
• Skills for Administrative Assistant
• Executive Assistant Duties
• Hire Administrative Assistant
• Outsourcing Administrative Services
What Factors Influence an Executive Assistant’s Salary?
Experience is one of the most significant factors influencing an EA's salary. Executive assistants with a proven track record, especially those with 7-9 years of experience, command higher pay due to their ability to manage complex tasks and anticipate executives’ needs.
Data Insight
According to Glassdoor, salaries for experienced EAs are approximately 25% higher than those of entry-level counterparts. The type of experience also matters. An EA who has worked in highly demanding roles or specific industries, like tech or finance, may bring unique skills that justify a higher salary.
Remote vs. In-Person Work: How Location Affects Costs
The working arrangement significantly impacts salary. In-person EAs often cost more because of additional overhead expenses, especially in high-cost markets. Employers must account for the following:
Office space
Equipment
Benefits
Taxes
This can increase the employment cost to 1.25 to 1.4 times the base salary. In contrast, remote executive assistants like virtual assistants typically cost less because they eliminate in-office expenses. Remote staffing platforms provide access to skilled EAs without added operational costs, offering a cost-effective alternative.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Roles: How Workload Impacts Compensation
The workload required also influences compensation. Fractional or part-time EAs offer flexibility and cost efficiency, as businesses only pay for the hours worked. This arrangement suits executives who need support on specific tasks but don’t require full-time availability. Full-time EAs, particularly those expected to be available 24/7 or manage critical responsibilities, naturally earn more due to the more significant time commitment and level of accountability.
Level of Responsibility and Trust: Why Strategic Roles Pay More
The caliber of support needed can significantly affect salary. The salary is typically lower if the role is task-oriented:
Managing calendars
Organizing travel
Handling basic administrative duties
Suppose the EA is expected to function as a strategic partner, representing the executive in high-level meetings, making decisions on their behalf, or managing confidential projects. In that case, the compensation reflects this heightened level of trust and responsibility.
Geographic Location: How Cost of Living Affects Salaries
Where the EA works plays a critical role in determining salary. EAs in cities with a high cost of living, such as San Jose, CA, earn more than those in areas with lower living expenses.
Example: The median salary for an EA in San Jose is $103,000, whereas in Norman, OK, where the cost of living is 44% lower, the median salary drops to $81,000.
Employment Structure: The Hidden Costs of W2 Employees vs. 1099 Contractors
The method of employment, hiring directly or contracting, affects costs.
W2 Employees: Full-time or part-time hires require employers to pay for benefits, taxes, and other associated costs, increasing the total expense by 15-30% compared to the base salary.
1099 Contractors: Contract workers offer a more flexible and often cost-effective solution, as businesses avoid the long-term commitments and benefits associated with W2 employment.
Nevertheless, this comes with risks, particularly if long-term stability is needed. For a hybrid solution, subscription staffing offers access to highly skilled, long-term W2 EAs through a staffing firm, with the flexibility to scale services as needed.
Related Reading
• Strengths of an Executive Assistant
• Admin Assistant Duties
• Hire an Executive Assistant
• Executive Assistant Outsourcing
• Hire Administrative Assistant
What is the Expected ROI From Hiring an Executive Assistant?
Hiring an executive assistant isn’t just about alleviating administrative tasks. It’s an investment that can significantly boost your:
Productivity
Effectiveness
Work-life balance
Calculating the ROI (return on investment) of an EA involves assessing the value of the time you’ll reclaim and the impact of using that time more strategically.
Analyze Your Time
Start by auditing your administrative workload. Over 2-4 weeks, track how many hours you spend on tasks like:
Email management
Scheduling
Travel arrangements
Routine follow-ups
It’s not uncommon for these to total 2+ hours per day, translating to 40+ hours per month, equivalent to a whole work week.
What’s Your Time Worth?
Once you know how much time you spend on these tasks, calculate its worth based on your hourly rate. For example:
If your time is valued at $150/hour, spending 40 hours a month on admin tasks costs you $6,000 of potential value. Freeing up 15-20% of your time can have an outsized impact, especially if those hours are redirected toward high-value activities like:
Strategic planning
Client meetings
Product development
Visualizing the Potential ROI of an Executive Assistant
Beyond the raw cost savings, consider the broader impact of reclaiming that time:
Increased Revenue: Use the extra hours to close additional deals, expand your client base, or focus on revenue-driving projects.
Business Growth: Devote time to high-level initiatives like launching a new product, refining operations, or developing long-term strategies.
Improved Productivity: Delegating tasks to a capable EA can enhance the efficiency of your entire team by streamlining communication and reducing bottlenecks.
Work-life balance: If you work long hours, having an EA handle administrative duties can help prevent burnout and allow you to focus on your well-being and relationships.
Case Study: Realizing ROI at Different Investment Levels
Imagine you hire a high-caliber fractional EA for $2,500 per month (approximately $30,000 per year). The investment pays for itself if the time it saves you enables $2,500 of extra monthly impact. Nonetheless, the ROI compounds when you factor in long-term benefits, such as:
More closed deals
Enhanced company morale
Better decision-making through freed mental capacity
For many executives
The time regained and the resulting strategic impact can far exceed the cost of an EA, making it a clear value-add.
The Exponential ROI of Time Reclaimed
The ROI of an EA doesn’t just stop at cost recovery. By reallocating 15-25% of your time toward strategic priorities, you could achieve outcomes like:
Launching initiatives that generate millions in revenue.
Building stronger relationships with key stakeholders.
Scaling operations more efficiently to drive sustainable growth.
Alternatively, for executives battling burnout, investing in an EA can deliver intangible but invaluable returns in health, happiness, and long-term productivity. When you reimagine the possibilities of what you can achieve with the time an EA saves you, the ROI becomes measurable and transformative.
Deciding What Executive Assistant Salary Range is Right for You
An executive assistant's salary is not just an expense; it’s an investment in efficiency, productivity, and the overall success of your role as an executive. The return on this investment (ROI) can vary depending on the EA’s level of involvement in your operations.
High ROI Expectations
If you’re seeking an EA to act as a trusted strategic partner—someone who can make decisions on your behalf, improve team communication, and handle confidential projects—you’ll likely need to pay a premium. Their value regarding time saved and improved decisions often outweighs the higher salary.
Moderate ROI Expectations
Suppose you need someone to manage schedules, book travel, or organize meetings. In that case, you can aim for a mid-range salary that aligns with the scope of responsibilities. Aligning your budget with your ROI expectations ensures you’re not under-investing in a role critical to your success.
The Key Factors Influencing Executive Assistant Salaries
The salary decision also depends on how you prioritize the key factors that influence compensation. Reviewing these factors can help you assess where flexibility exists and where premium pay may be required:
Experience: Can you invest in a highly experienced EA who can hit the ground running, or can you train someone with less experience?
Remote vs. In-Person: Is physical presence necessary for your EA, or can a remote assistant handle all essential tasks? In-person EAs often command higher salaries due to added overhead costs.
Fractional vs. Full-Time: Do you need a full-time assistant for comprehensive support or a fractional EA to handle only key responsibilities? Part-time support can save costs while fulfilling specific needs.
Caliber of Support: Do you need an EA to be a trusted partner and decision-maker, or will a task-oriented approach suffice? The more autonomy and trust required, the higher the compensation.
Location: If hiring locally, are you in a high-cost market with elevated salaries? If remote, can you access talent from regions with lower cost-of-living expectations?
Employment Type (W2 vs. 1099): Are you prepared to absorb the higher costs of hiring a direct employee, or would a contractor or subscription staffing model better suit your needs?
Making the Right Decision to Determine Executive Assistant Salaries
By defining your expected ROI and ranking the influencing factors based on their importance to your needs, you can zero in on a salary range that balances cost with value. Executives in high-growth or high-pressure environments often prioritize experience, caliber of support, and availability.
For smaller organizations or startups, flexibility in employment type and location can help them stay within budget while securing competent support. Your decision should reflect your role's unique demands and the value you place on having the right EA by your side.
Related Reading
• Fractional Executive Assistant
• Administration Recruitment Agencies
• Virtual Administrative Assistant Companies
• Outsourcing Administrative Services
• Hire Administrative Assistant
Get a Free Custom Plan on How to Delegate Tasks and Scale
Founders Arm helps startups and agencies supercharge their growth with highly trained virtual marketing assistants. We specialize in finding top-tier offshore talent that goes beyond basic admin. Our assistants are skilled in social media management, GTM strategy execution, and comprehensive marketing support.
Rigorous Selection and Expert Support
We offer 24/7 customer support capabilities and a rigorous selection process. We handpick the perfect assistants from over 1,000 candidates. Each assistant is screened for excellent English, relevant experience, and a proven track record with offshore companies.
Scalable and Affordable Virtual Assistance
Perfect for funded startups (pre-seed, seed) and consumer apps looking to scale from 1 to 100, we offer affordable rates without placement fees. Whether you need help with customer support, email management, social media, or admin tasks, our assistants help you buy back your time while amplifying your growth strategy.
Please provide your email and company to get a free custom plan for delegating tasks within your business and scaling intelligently.
