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Executive assistant: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$76,590median pay per year, or $36.82 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $50,560lowest 10% earn less
  2. $61,39025th percentile
  3. $76,590median
  4. $94,39075th percentile
  5. $109,850top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

The median executive assistant earned $76,590 a year in May 2025, well above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. Jobs are projected to stay about flat through 2035, but openings still come up each year[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+0%[3]
Openings per year
43,300[4]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do executive assistants make?

The official BLS category is Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants. In May 2025, the median pay was $76,590 a year, or $36.82 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $79,140 a year, or $38.05 an hour[7].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $50,560 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $61,390[5]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $94,390, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $109,850[5]. In hourly terms, the 10th percentile was $24.31 and the 90th was $52.81[8].

BLS does not publish a starting salary. It publishes percentile wages, which are boundaries in the pay distribution[9]. The figures also leave out self-employed workers, bonuses that are not tied to production and the cost of benefits[10].

For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980[2]. About 459,910 people held these wage and salary jobs[11].

Pay by state and city

Median pay differs a lot by place. The District of Columbia had the highest median at $90,850, followed by New Jersey at $89,520 and California at $89,000[12]. Arkansas had the lowest listed median at $51,600[12].

New York had the most jobs with 88,890, then California with 59,640 and Texas with 34,520[13]. Florida (19,220) and Illinois (14,900) came next[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $106,220[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA followed at $105,190, then Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT at $100,930[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 76,950, with a median of $83,840[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$90,8504,560
New Jersey$89,52011,690
California$89,00059,640
Massachusetts$82,65014,820
Connecticut$82,5206,490
Hawaii$80,7101,440
New York$80,64088,890
Virginia$80,33010,360
Washington$79,25011,560
Delaware$78,9201,320
Maryland$78,54013,960
Minnesota$78,4707,970
Rhode Island$77,820950
Oregon$75,4806,000
Pennsylvania$75,27012,910
Illinois$74,39014,900
New Mexico$73,8902,800
Texas$71,99034,520
New Hampshire$71,6501,210
Arizona$70,7706,490
Vermont$70,770770
North Carolina$70,1408,890
Ohio$69,60010,940
Alabama$69,4502,880
Wisconsin$68,9204,480
Georgia$68,29014,560
Tennessee$68,1905,360
Nevada$67,8302,670
Michigan$66,8409,030
Alaska$66,2101,320
Nebraska$66,2101,860
Colorado$65,85010,340
Kansas$64,8602,750
Florida$64,71019,220
Maine$64,1002,320
West Virginia$63,820860
Kentucky$62,4102,700
Iowa$62,3404,150
North Dakota$61,270540
Utah$61,1305,440
South Carolina$60,8903,880
Missouri$60,3208,500
Idaho$60,2001,180
Oklahoma$59,9102,810
Montana$59,750550
Indiana$59,0805,060
Mississippi$55,6701,240
South Dakota$55,1701,230
Louisiana$53,2409,270
Wyoming$52,210560
Arkansas$51,6002,070

How to become an executive assistant

BLS describes the typical path like this[6]:

The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook text comes from a profile that covers a wider group of occupations[16]. It says executive assistants typically need several years of work in other administrative jobs, such as general office clerks[17]. It also says a bachelor's degree is typically not required for secretaries and administrative assistants, but employers may prefer candidates for executive roles who have some college or a degree[18].

In an O*NET survey of 49 workers, 34% said an associate's degree was required, 24% said a high school diploma or equivalent, 21% said some college courses and 12% said a bachelor's degree[19]. This is a small survey, so read it as a sample of opinions.

Skills the OOH highlights for the wider group include judgment, courtesy with others, keeping schedules and files in order, and clear writing[20][21][22][23].

What executive assistants do

O*NET describes the job as high-level administrative support for executives[24]. Common tasks include:

Workers may also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff[24]. Job titles reported by workers include administrative coordinator, administrative specialist and executive assistant[26].

Where they work

The OOH profile for the wider group says these workers are found in nearly every industry[27]. Healthcare and social assistance was the largest employer group at 32%[28]. The profile says the work is mostly office-based, and some administrative assistants work from home as virtual assistants[29]. Full-time work is typical[30]. About 0.7% of executive assistants were self-employed in 2025[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to stay about the same from 2025 to 2035, a change of 0%, from about 489,300 to 489,200 jobs[3]. These counts include self-employed workers[3]. All occupations together are projected to grow 3.5%[32].

BLS lists one factor behind the flat outlook. Firms are using computer software, enhanced with artificial intelligence, to automate routine back-office work such as document preparation[33].

Even so, about 43,300 openings are projected each year on average[4]. Openings include jobs that come up when people retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[4]. Each year, 4% of workers leave the labor force and 4.8% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job that pays well above the all-occupations median and does not require a degree for entry[1][2][6]. It does expect related administrative experience first[6][17]. Employment is projected to be flat, so any hiring comes from openings left by people who retire or move on, not from growth[3][4]. Software that automates routine tasks is one factor BLS names[33]. The work centers on scheduling, documents and supporting executives[25].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an executive assistant make an hour?
The median was $36.82 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $38.05[1][7]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $24.31 an hour, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $52.81[8].
What degree do you need to be an executive assistant?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[6]. Employers may prefer some college or a bachelor's degree for executive roles[18].
How long does it take to become an executive assistant?
BLS lists work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years and no typical on-the-job training[6]. The OOH says several years of related experience are typical[17].
Is executive assistant a growing field?
BLS projects employment to stay about the same, 0%, from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][32]. About 43,300 openings a year are projected[4].
Which state pays executive assistants the most?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $90,850, followed by New Jersey at $89,520 and California at $89,000[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants in the US was $76,590 per year and $36.82 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants is projected to stay about the same 0% from 2025 to 2035, from about 489,300 to 489,200 jobs (a change of -100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: about 43,300 openings for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants: 10th percentile $50,560, 25th percentile $61,390, 75th percentile $94,390, 90th percentile $109,850. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants was $79,140 per year and $38.05 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants: 10th percentile $24.31, 25th percentile $29.52, 75th percentile $45.38, 90th percentile $52.81. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 459,910 people were employed as Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants jobs: New York 88,890; California 59,640; Texas 34,520; Florida 19,220; Illinois 14,900. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,220; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $105,190; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $100,930; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $92,240; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $90,320; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $87,910; Vallejo, CA $86,190; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $85,260. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 76,950 (median $83,840); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 20,850 (median $82,850); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 12,960 (median $90,320); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 11,290 (median $85,260); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 11,250 (median $105,190); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 10,620 (median $77,770). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Secretaries and Administrative Assistants" covers Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. O*NET 43-6011.00 survey of workers (49 respondents), education level they say is required: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 34%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 24%, Some College Courses 21%, Bachelor's Degree 12% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET description of Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET 43-6011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Administrative Aide, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Associate, Administrative Coordinator, Administrative Secretary, Administrative Specialist, Executive Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of secretaries and administrative assistants in 2025: Healthcare and social assistance 32%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: 0.7% of Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants: Productivity change - share decreases as firms increase the use of computer software, enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, to automate routine back-office functions, such as document preparation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants: 4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.