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Executive assistant vs senior executive assistant

The differences between executive assistants and senior executive assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an executive assistant and a senior executive assistant. Additionally, a senior executive assistant has an average salary of $66,419, which is higher than the $50,539 average annual salary of an executive assistant.

The top three skills for an executive assistant include powerpoint, customer service and phone calls. The most important skills for a senior executive assistant are powerpoint, customer service, and work ethic.

Executive assistant vs senior executive assistant overview

Executive AssistantSenior Executive Assistant
Yearly salary$50,539$66,419
Hourly rate$24.30$31.93
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs93,11670,299
Job satisfaction4.4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4949
Years of experience44

What does an executive assistant do?

Executive assistants are employees who are assigned to work under the supervision of company executives. They manage the activities of the executives they are assigned to by manning the executive's calendar, scheduling appointments, setting meetings, ensuring that the executives are familiar with their schedule for the day, and taking note of any deliverable that may be needed. They are also responsible for taking care of any document or paperwork that the executive needs, as well as preparing presentation materials or briefers for meetings. Executive assistants are also usually exposed to actual company operations to further understand how the business works and to be of better help to the executive.

What does a senior executive assistant do?

A senior executive assistant is responsible for handling the administrative tasks of the company on behalf of the executive management, ensuring smooth business operations to support clients' needs and customers' demands. Senior executive assistants manage executive appointments, respond to clients' inquiries and concerns, sort documents, monitor business transactions, and coordinate with other employees to distribute internal communications. They also assist in scheduling press releases, media inquiries, and updating social media platforms. A senior executive assistant must be highly communicative and organizational to perform duties under strict deadlines and minimal supervision.

Executive assistant vs senior executive assistant salary

Executive assistants and senior executive assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Executive AssistantSenior Executive Assistant
Average salary$50,539$66,419
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $71,000Between $43,000 And $101,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyMetaMcKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between executive assistant and senior executive assistant education

There are a few differences between an executive assistant and a senior executive assistant in terms of educational background:

Executive AssistantSenior Executive Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Executive assistant vs senior executive assistant demographics

Here are the differences between executive assistants' and senior executive assistants' demographics:

Executive AssistantSenior Executive Assistant
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 13.1% Female, 86.9%Male, 10.3% Female, 89.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between executive assistant and senior executive assistant duties and responsibilities

Executive assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain AVP calendar and schedule using independent judgment.
  • Manage and review WinStar (KRONOS) time clock hours for hourly union employees.
  • Organize and manage administrative, audio/visual (WebEx, GoToMeeting), and catering of department meetings.
  • Manage the scope of accounting processes including billing, bookkeeping and expense data management with strong oversight of A/R and A/P.
  • Create and manage executive presentations using Visio and PowerPoint.
  • Compile, manage and organize travel and expense reports processing and submitting reports using PeopleSoft for reimbursement.
  • Show more

Senior executive assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage processes to nominate and elect board candidates at the annual meeting, and provide administrative support to CEO and CMO.
  • Manage the SVP's calendar and independently scheduling/rescheduling meetings.
  • Manage all administrative responsibilities of CMO including confidential materials and business communications with all levels of management.
  • Update staff Medicare, medical, and personal records.
  • Maintain and organize divisional SVP calendar and travel arrangements.
  • Initiate administrative actions to quickly and effectively resolve finance and payroll challenges.
  • Show more

Executive assistant vs senior executive assistant skills

Common executive assistant skills
  • PowerPoint, 13%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Phone Calls, 6%
  • Calendar Management, 6%
  • Administrative Tasks, 3%
  • Financial Reports, 3%
Common senior executive assistant skills
  • PowerPoint, 12%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
  • Administrative Tasks, 4%
  • SR, 4%
  • Conference Calls, 4%

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