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Job outlook for executive sales assistants in the United States
Executive sales assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected executive sales assistant job growth rate is -8% from 2018-2028.
About -286,900 new jobs for executive sales assistants are projected over the next decade.
Executive sales assistant salaries have increased 13% for executive sales assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 114,749 executive sales assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 125,550 active executive sales assistant job openings in the US.
The average executive sales assistant salary is $43,765.
Are executive sales assistant jobs in demand?
Executive sales assistant job and salary trends over time
Executive sales assistant jobs over time
Executive sales assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 114,749 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 114,089 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 129,973 | 0.04% |
| 2018 | 133,441 | 0.04% |
| 2017 | 134,435 | 0.04% |
Average executive sales assistant salary over time
Executive sales assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $43,765 | $21.04 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $42,225 | $20.30 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $41,151 | $19.78 | +3.4% |
| 2023 | $39,812 | $19.14 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $38,737 | $18.62 | +4.7% |
Executive sales assistant jobs by state
Most common states for executive sales assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 267 | 38% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,631 | 24% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 231 | 24% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 138 | 22% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,162 | 21% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 219 | 21% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 117 | 20% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,622 | 19% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 140 | 19% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 139 | 19% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,303 | 18% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 991 | 18% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 549 | 18% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 601 | 17% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 223 | 17% |
| 16 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,096 | 16% |
| 17 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 969 | 16% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 314 | 16% |
| 19 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,929 | 15% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 164 | 15% |
Most common cities for executive sales assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saugus | 2 | 8% | $54,722 |
| 2 | Methuen Town | 2 | 4% | $54,248 |
| 3 | Revere | 2 | 4% | $54,795 |
| 4 | Mount Vernon | 2 | 3% | $65,092 |
| 5 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $51,591 |
| 6 | Costa Mesa | 2 | 2% | $44,936 |
| 7 | Largo | 2 | 2% | $37,661 |
| 8 | Apple Valley | 1 | 2% | $43,728 |
| 9 | Huntsville | 2 | 1% | $37,778 |
| 10 | Antioch | 1 | 1% | $48,319 |
| 11 | Berkeley | 1 | 1% | $48,849 |
| 12 | Boca Raton | 1 | 1% | $37,447 |
| 13 | Boynton Beach | 1 | 1% | $37,419 |
| 14 | Miami | 2 | 0% | $37,589 |
| 15 | Sacramento | 2 | 0% | $47,169 |
| 16 | San Francisco | 2 | 0% | $49,067 |
| 17 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $35,510 |
| 18 | Bakersfield | 1 | 0% | $45,987 |
| 19 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $28,640 |
Executive Sales Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of executive sales assistant experts
Texas Christian University
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Baylor University
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
California State University Channel Islands
Ohio University - Lancaster Campus
University of Iowa
College of Charleston
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Dixie State University
Albright College
West Liberty University
West Virginia State University
Meredith College
Longwood University
Montana State University
Fordham University
MHI – Material Handling Industry
Ken Corbit Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in MarketingTexas Christian University
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to an Executive Sales Assistant?
Ken Corbit Ph.D.: Strategic
Company Selection:
Focus on joining companies with robust sales training programs, emphasizing consultative selling. Look for organizations that invest in your development, providing live calling experiences, quota-driven sales processes, and exposure to tools like Salesforce.
Tech
Proficiency and Sales Tools Mastery:
Familiarize yourself with cutting-edge sales technologies, including CRM tools like Salesforce. Your proficiency in these tools will not only streamline your sales processes but also position you as a tech-savvy professional in the competitive sales landscape.
Hands-On
Experience:
Actively engage in live calling, take ownership of sales funnels, and work with senior hiring authorities during your training. This hands-on experience will not only build your confidence but also prepare you for the challenges of consultative selling.
Research
and Decision-Making Skills:
Develop strong research skills to evaluate companies based on fit, growth opportunities, compensation structures, and overall potential. This informed decision-making approach will set you apart and empower you to navigate the sales landscape strategically.
Mentorship
and Networking:
Seek mentorship both within and outside your organization. Building relationships with mentors who invest in your sales skills and knowledge will provide valuable insights. Additionally, actively participate in online forums to connect with practical sales
knowledge and best practices.
Christi Patton Luks
Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic AffairsMissouri University of Science & Technology
Linda & Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
What's a good job out of college for Executive Sales Assistants?
Christi Patton Luks: A good job out of college is one that can be adapted to the individual's skills and interests and encourages them to stretch. Frequently, students think they want to work in a particular type of job. Once they have it, they discover that it was not what they thought it would be. Many companies rotate new employees through a variety of positions. Those are great for helping people find their own hidden talents. I know that I have discovered abilities that I would not have even attempted when I was 20.
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.
Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Frank and Floy Smith Holloway Endowed Professorship in Marketing, President, University Sales Center Alliance 2019-2021Baylor University
Hankamer School of Business
What skills will help Executive Sales Assistants earn the most?
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.: People who can recognize patterns (in data, in people), build connections with and across others, create a focus on high-performance behaviors, and lead with a confident humility are those who will win today and in the future business environment.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Executive Sales Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Miguel Olivas-Luján Ph.D.: As the economy "reopens" (thanks to appeased fears of contagion driven by vaccination, herd immunity, people worn out by the lockdowns, warmer weather, etc.), we should see workforce adjustments across industries and occupations. Already in March, unemployment was returning to 6% (from a high of 14.8% in April 2020, but after a low of 3.5 in February 2020; https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000). Barring unexpected resistance in the virus variants or other influences, the summer and fall months should give us better job market numbers, but this recovery seems to be benefitting some population segments more than others. The unemployed rate for teenagers was at 13%, followed by Blacks (9.6%), Hispanics (7.9%), Asians (6%), adult men (5.8%), and adult women (5.7%; more detail is available at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm).
Amanda Carpenter
DirectorCalifornia State University Channel Islands
Department of Career Development and Alumni Engagement
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Executive Sales Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Amanda Carpenter: -Market competition- We are seeing an increase in the number of applicants per position, making entry-level employment opportunities extremely competitive. New graduates may be competing for positions with professionals who have significantly more work experience. This means, new graduates must stand out in the applicant pool distinguishing strengths and skills related to the position.
-Recruiting strategy- Employers are adjusting their recruiting strategies in response to the pandemic with more recruiters opting to source candidates virtually. In result, candidates need to polish interview skills in a virtual environment and be prepared to interview in 1:1 and group settings virtually. Employers want to see how candidates respond in these challenging situations. Demonstrating resiliency, adaptability, and the ability to pivot are key skills to demonstrate during these times.
-Remote work- a significant increase in remote work positions opening doors for candidates to consider applying for roles outside of their geographical areas to including international and across the United States.
What technical skills for an Executive Sales Assistant stand out to employers?
Amanda Carpenter: -Data analytics skills are critical technical skills that stand out to employers in today's market. According to NACE (2018), the use of data analytics is projected to have the most significant impact on an organization's operational efficiency and revenue generation.
-Source (NACE): www.naceweb.org
Brandy Bailey
Career CoachOhio University - Lancaster Campus
Student Services, Career Services
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Executive Sales Assistants?
Brandy Bailey: Take a look at the job description for which you are applying, what certifications/licenses/courses do they list? If you personally have any of them that are included in the job description, be sure to include them on your resume. Tailoring your resume, including your skills and experiences, to the job description will have the biggest impact on your job prospects. If you have taken a course that the employer deems as necessary to be able to perform the job, list it on your resume and talk about it during your interview. If you are not quite ready to graduate and apply for jobs, you may still have some time to squeeze in a course or experience that will meet the qualifications of a job that you are interested in applying for in the future. Do your research and tailor your resume and experiences to the job you are applying for to increase your job prospects.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Executive Sales Assistants?
Brian Lai Ph.D.: I think the impact of the pandemic will be around for another year or so as in-person opportunities start to return. For graduates, the disruption in the economy and lack of in-person opportunities in traditional hiring areas (e.g. DC) has made it harder to find opportunities than before the pandemic.
What type of skills will young Executive Sales Assistants need?
Brian Lai Ph.D.: They need to be able to write well, specifically be able to clearly summarize and analyze ideas, policies, and arguments in a succinct manner. They will need at least a working understanding of data analysis techniques, if not some ability to analyze data. In the field of IR, the ability to network and work in a group environment will be important.
What experience really stands out on Executive Sales Assistant resumes?
Jacob Craig Ph.D.: I believe strongly in dexterity and a language of expertise. That means that if a student can show they can adapt to new demands by learning a new way of working, learning about a new audience, learning how to address a new purpose, learning a new genre or style, and learning a new technology, that employee attractive. Especially at the entry-level, the ability to learn and adapt is valuable. Being able to talk about their experience using a persuasive vocabulary is often useful. For instance, if students can describe their approach to communication without using cliches (short and sweet, clear) and something along the lines of purpose, audience, situation, genre, medium--that's persuasive.
Dr. Robert Longwell-Grice EdD
Recruitment & Scholarship CoordinatorUniversity of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Office of Student Services
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Executive Sales Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Robert Longwell-Grice EdD: Despite the pandemic, careers that have direct contact with people continue to be in high demand. these include careers in teaching and social work. they are considered depression-proof careers. given the increased diversity in the USA, adding a second language to any career will be amazingly useful. Two-year degrees will not be seen as useful. If people are seeking post-secondary credits they need to think about a specific trade certificate, or a four-year degree.
What Executive Sales Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Robert Longwell-Grice EdD: Most colleges want to see a gap year that is connected to making the world a better place. An internship or a job with a non-profit can be life changing for ones personal development, and ones career. These can be local with an agency in ones community, or national with an agency like City Year or Americorps. Gap years should focus on 'soft skills' where possible so working with the public is ideal. Having said that, any job will give young people valuable experience. My gap year included driving a taxi in Dubuque, Iowa. Boy did I learn a lot about working with people!
What general advice would you give to an Executive Sales Assistant?
Dr. Robert Longwell-Grice EdD: 1) Assume your first job won't be your last one. It is very common to change jobs/careers/employers; 2) Be a life-long learner. Earn additional credentials/degrees. Attend workshops in your field; 3) Educate yourself about issues of diversity. The world is a diverse place. Your ability to be comfortable with diverse populations will be welcomed by any employer.
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.
Department Chair and Associate Professor of EnglishDixie State University
English Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Executive Sales Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.: There will be a lot more jobs that have telecommute options or requirements. Perhaps the office will never fully go away, but the pandemic has shown employers just how effective and cost-saving it can be to have people work from home. It saves money on things like office space and travel reimbursements. We'll see an increase in purely work-from-home jobs, but the biggest change will be the morphing of jobs into hybrid telecommute positions, where employees will still need to physically be in the office at times, but a good chunk of their work will be completed at home.
What type of skills will young Executive Sales Assistants need?
Guillaume de Syon Ph.D.: The same as the ones they needed before. Employers want a combination of experience as well as writing and reading capacities. There may even be a greater need for decent writing, as the shift to online has affected the workforce. On the positive side, successfully negotiating the pandemic conditions could be considered a sign of adaptability.
Dr. Darrin Cox
Professor of HistoryWest Liberty University
College of Liberal Arts
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Executive Sales Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Darrin Cox: The need for adaptability. Companies are going to focus more on hiring people with a wide array of skills and abilities that provide them the kind of adaptability needed for the modern workspace. It's one of the reasons why I think humanities and social science degrees will be in more demand in the coming years. At their core, these degrees are about analyzing how we interact in the social world while providing specific training in critical thinking, reasoning, and writing. Basically, employers will be looking for those who are tech savvy, but less so in terms of how to operate specific applications or technology and more so in ways that they can be adapted to best suit the needs of the company.
Anne McConnell Ph.D.
ProfessorWest Virginia State University
English Department
What Executive Sales Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Anne McConnell Ph.D.: I would encourage someone taking a gap year to branch out, seeking work experiences and employment situations that expose them to new skills and allow them to interact with a diverse set of people. Sometimes we find ourselves in a bubble-communicating with the same people, who tend to share the same ideas-and a gap year provides the opportunity to extend beyond that. Employers value employees who have open, flexible minds, and seeking out experiences that demonstrate that openness can be helpful.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Executive Sales Assistants?
Angela Robbins Ph.D.: That has yet to be seen, but WFH is here to stay in many sectors. This crisis has had many negative effects, both short term and long term, on workers. We are a women's college, so how this crisis has affected women in the workplace is particularly salient. For some, WFH has been an option and also a positive, because they have kept their jobs while practicing safety measures. But women with young children at home have been the most negatively affected as they try to balance work and family commitments, particularly when children can't be in school or day care. Some mothers have had to give up their jobs because of these conditions. More moms than dads have walked away from their jobs to care for their children, often because moms earn less and also because society expects women to put child care above career aspirations. So the normal mechanisms which, when in place, allow women to pursue the same career opportunities as men but, when missing, make it nearly impossible for women to pursue their career goals, threaten the gains women have made as professionals over the past couple of generations. That's another alarming aspect of this crisis.
Women in the service sector have been hit the hardest, perhaps keeping their jobs, but without the flexibility to work from home and stay safe and keep their families safe. This shines a spotlight on how many working women are in low-paying jobs and viewed as somehow dispensable and essential at the same time, which is not the focus of this feature but is a critical discussion about compensation and worker rights in America. It also impresses upon college women how a college education not only improves their future earnings potential-which is something we have traditionally emphasized-but also offers them a degree of job security. This crisis drives home the reality that, if it's at all possible to stay in college now, it will pay off in the long run. We are witnessing this in real time, so it's not just an idea about what might be. The evidence is in front of us. But for these future working moms to be able to keep their careers on track, we have to do a better job with child care, flexible work schedules, and pay equity, too. This is something that feminists have emphasized for generations.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Executive Sales Assistants to find work opportunities?
Dr. David Lehr: Most job growth will continue to be in urban centers and the surrounding suburbs. Rural areas will continue to struggle (remote work notwithstanding).
What skills stand out on Executive Sales Assistant resumes?
Dr. Angela Woodland Ph.D.: Skills that are immediately useful stand out on resumes. Right now, data analytics skills are in hot demand. A desirable job candidate should be able to import large data sets in various formats, clean data, manipulate data, interrogate data, and draw conclusions from the data. Additionally, the job candidate should be able to prepare informative and easy-to-follow data visualizations of the results. This skill set allows a job candidate to be immediately useful in an organization. It is the new way of analyzing and communicating.
What type of skills will young Executive Sales Assistants need?
Peter Johnson DPS: There are three things that employers are looking for:
1. Demonstrated ability to solve problems
2. Ability to analyze and make decisions based on data
3. Communication skills with management, teams, and clients
Michael Mikitka
Executive Vice PresidentMHI – Material Handling Industry
Knowledge Center and Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC)
What type of skills will young Executive Sales Assistants need?
Michael Mikitka: Courses and internships are essential. While the required depth of knowledge may vary from one position to another, employers are generally looking for candidates with strong "people-related" skills, those who are willing to continue to learn, and those with the ability to be flexible and adapt.
By "people-related" skills, I mean the abilities associated with effective communication (listen and express ideas and direction) and the skills related to working independently and a team.
As for the interest to continually learn... from a technology, data, and equipment perspective, today's supply chain looks very different than it did 10-years ago. The willingness and ability to continually learn are essential for anyone in a leadership role.
As for flexibility and adapting...supply chain/logistics is as much about responding to disruption and demand as it is planning for it. There is a predictable demand (i.e., seasonal...everyone knows when back-to-school shopping begins). Then there is the unpredictable demand (i.e., power-outages, wildfires, pandemic) that impact market and the ability to operate. Candidates that express flexibility and problem-solving skills will be much sought-after.