Research Summary. The Zippia data team has compiled average salary estimates for executive assistant jobs across the US, utilizing a mix of public government data and insights from thousands of job postings. Based on this comprehensive dataset, we have identified the highest-paying roles for executive assistants, reflecting the evolving labor market in 2026.
Here’s a summary of our findings for the top-paying executive assistant roles:
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Assistant To Vice President is the highest-paid type of executive assistant, with an average salary of $115,560 and an hourly rate of $55.56.
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The second highest-paying type of executive assistant is executive assistant to chief executive officer, with an average salary of $70,995.
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The average salary for executive assistants is $50,539 per year, translating to an hourly pay of $24.30.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging, and while salary isn’t the sole consideration, it plays a vital role in decision-making. For those aspiring to become executive assistants, understanding the highest-paying roles can significantly influence career planning and progression.
Here are the top salaries for various types of executive assistants:
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Assistant To Vice President
Average Salary: $115,560
As an assistant to the vice president, you are responsible for providing high-level administrative support. This role involves managing various projects, organizing activities, and summarizing reports from different departments. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is often preferred by employers.
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Executive Assistant To Chief Executive Officer
Average Salary: $70,995
Executive assistants to the CEO act as the primary point of contact for both internal and external stakeholders. They coordinate schedules, communicate with board members, and manage critical deliverables.
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Assistant Executive Director
Average Salary: $67,525
Assistant Executive Directors support the director in departmental planning and compliance, budgeting, and reporting.
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Senior Executive Assistant
Average Salary: $66,419
Senior executive assistants manage administrative tasks, ensuring operational efficiency and responsiveness to client needs. They coordinate communications and assist with media relations and social media updates.
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Executive Assistant/Human Resources
Average Salary: $65,940
These professionals manage the schedules of executives and may represent them in meetings, while also supporting various HR functions.
Below is a comprehensive table detailing the average salaries for various executive assistant roles.
Highest-Paying Types Of Executive Assistants
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly available information from government sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for its salary estimates. Additionally, our data science team reviews job postings and company resources to gather current salary data for executive assistants.
After collecting the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title. For more detailed information on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Executive Assistant Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid executive assistant job?
The highest-paid executive assistant role is an assistant to the vice president. Assistants to Vice President earn an average salary of $115,560, which equates to $55.56 hourly.
This role involves acting as executive-level administrative support to the vice president, overseeing projects, organizing activities, and summarizing reports from various departments. Employers typically prefer a bachelor’s or master’s degree for this position.
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What is a good salary for an executive assistant?
A good salary for an executive assistant is $50,539 or higher. This figure represents the average salary, so those earning at least this amount are above average.
However, averages can vary by location, as employers adjust their salaries based on the cost of living in different areas. It’s essential to research local salary averages for your expertise and experience to gauge your compensation accurately.
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Do executive assistant jobs pay well?
Yes, executive assistant positions generally offer competitive pay. The average salary of $50,539 is above the national average salary of approximately $44,225 per year.
Many executive assistant roles come with significant earning potential, with the top 10% earning substantially more. Salaries can fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s advisable to be well-informed when negotiating your pay.
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Where do executive assistants earn the highest salaries?
Executive assistants earn the highest salaries in Washington. In Washington, the average annual salary for executive assistants is $59,785, which breaks down to an hourly wage of $28.74.
Following Washington, the next highest-paying states include Massachusetts, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia with average salaries of $59,185, $59,177, and $60,819 respectively.
The cities with the top salaries for executive assistants are:
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San Francisco, CA – $64,830
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New York, NY – $64,562
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Washington, DC – $60,864
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
