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2026 Executive Assistant Salary Data

Updated April 28, 2026

Executive Assistant Salary: $72K US Median

Executive assistants provide high-level administrative support to C-suite executives, managing calendars, travel, communications, and special projects with discretion and efficiency.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the US national median Executive Assistant salary is $72,000 per year. Executive Assistants earn between $46,800 (entry, 25th percentile) and $118,800 (90th percentile). Highest-paying cities: San Francisco ($112K), Oakland ($101K), New York ($97K). Year-over-year growth: 360.0% from 2025.

National Median

$72,000

+360.0% YoY

Entry Level

$56,160

Experienced

$95,040

Top 10%

$118,800

Executive Assistant Salary by Years of Experience

How Executive Assistant pay scales over a career — US national averages.

Experience	Annual Salary	vs Entry
0–1 yr	$51,667	-8%
2–3 yr	$56,160	+0%
4–6 yr	$75,600	+35%
7–10 yr	$95,040	+69%
11–15 yr	$112,147	+100%
15+ yr	$106,920	+90%

Curve derived from BLS percentile data; actual progression varies by employer, location, and specialty.

Executive Assistant Salary by City

All 50 top US metros, sorted by salary level. Click any city for the full breakdown.

City	vs National	Median	Top 10%
San Francisco, CA	+55%	$111,600	$184,140
Oakland, CA	+40%	$100,800	$166,320
New York, NY	+35%	$97,200	$160,380
Seattle, WA	+32%	$95,040	$156,816
Washington, DC	+30%	$93,600	$154,440
Boston, MA	+30%	$93,600	$154,440
Los Angeles, CA	+28%	$92,160	$152,064
Long Beach, CA	+20%	$86,400	$142,560
San Diego, CA	+18%	$84,960	$140,184
Austin, TX	+15%	$82,800	$136,620
Denver, CO	+10%	$79,200	$130,680
Portland, OR	+10%	$79,200	$130,680
Baltimore, MD	+10%	$79,200	$130,680
Minneapolis, MN	+10%	$79,200	$130,680
Sacramento, CA	+8%	$77,760	$128,304
Chicago, IL	+5%	$75,600	$124,740
Houston, TX	+5%	$75,600	$124,740
Dallas, TX	+5%	$75,600	$124,740
Atlanta, GA	+5%	$75,600	$124,740
Raleigh, NC	+5%	$75,600	$124,740
Miami, FL	+5%	$75,600	$124,740
Philadelphia, PA	+4%	$74,880	$123,552
Fort Worth, TX	+2%	$73,440	$121,176
Charlotte, NC	+2%	$73,440	$121,176
Phoenix, AZ	+0%	$72,000	$118,800
Nashville, TN	+0%	$72,000	$118,800
Colorado Springs, CO	+0%	$72,000	$118,800
Arlington, TX	+0%	$72,000	$118,800
Mesa, AZ	-2%	$70,560	$116,424
Virginia Beach, VA	-2%	$70,560	$116,424
Columbus, OH	-3%	$69,840	$115,236
Omaha, NE	-3%	$69,840	$115,236
Las Vegas, NV	-5%	$68,400	$112,860
Milwaukee, WI	-5%	$68,400	$112,860
Fresno, CA	-5%	$68,400	$112,860
Kansas City, MO	-5%	$68,400	$112,860
San Antonio, TX	-7%	$66,960	$110,484
Indianapolis, IN	-7%	$66,960	$110,484
Detroit, MI	-7%	$66,960	$110,484
Jacksonville, FL	-8%	$66,240	$109,296
New Orleans, LA	-8%	$66,240	$109,296
Cleveland, OH	-8%	$66,240	$109,296
Louisville, KY	-9%	$65,520	$108,108
Albuquerque, NM	-10%	$64,800	$106,920
Tucson, AZ	-10%	$64,800	$106,920
Memphis, TN	-12%	$63,360	$104,544
Oklahoma City, OK	-12%	$63,360	$104,544
Tulsa, OK	-12%	$63,360	$104,544
El Paso, TX	-15%	$61,200	$100,980
Wichita, KS	-15%	$61,200	$100,980

Hot 2026 Skills

AI productivity toolsproject coordinationNotion/Asanaevent planningdata reportingcross-functional support

ATS Keywords

calendar managementtravel coordinationC-suite supportMicrosoft OfficeGoogle Workspaceexpense reportsevent planningdiscretionproject coordination

Top Employers

Fortune 500 corporationsInvestment banksTech companiesHedge fundsLaw firmsFamily offices

Certifications

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)Microsoft Office SpecialistPACE (Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence)

Year-Over-Year Trend

+360.0% vs 2025

2025 Median

$15,652

2026 Median

$72,000

Change

+$56,348

Operations sector growth driven by demand for AI productivity tools and project coordination.

How to Negotiate Your Executive Assistant Salary

Walk-away anchor: $65,455 (offers below this are below market for experienced candidates).

Leverage Points

Quantified savings: dollars cut from COGS, hours of process time saved
Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, CSCP certifications carry pay premiums
P&L responsibility and headcount managed
ERP / automation experience (SAP, NetSuite, Workday, RPA tooling)

Beyond Base, Negotiate

Annual performance bonus tied to operational KPIsPMP, Six Sigma, CSCP certification reimbursementProfit-share or long-term incentive plan (LTIP)Relocation package for plant / DC rolesTuition reimbursement (often MBA-eligible)

What To Say

"I delivered $X in annualized savings in my last role through process redesign. With my PMP and Black Belt, I'm targeting $X base plus a performance bonus tied to operational KPIs."

Career Outlook

+-5% Growth (2024-2034)

Executive assistant roles projected to decline 5% through 2034 as AI automates routine admin tasks. C-suite EAs at top firms remain in demand.

Education Path

Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred

Executive Assistant Salary FAQ

What is the average Executive Assistant salary in the US in 2026?

The 2026 US national median Executive Assistant salary is $72,000 per year. Entry-level (25th percentile) starts at $46,800, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $118,800 or more. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, blended with 2026 market data from Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Robert Half.

Did Executive Assistant salaries increase in 2026?

Yes — Executive Assistant salaries grew approximately 360.0% year-over-year, from $15,652 in 2025 to $72,000 in 2026 (+$56,348). This reflects the Operations sector's 2025-2026 wage growth, driven by demand for AI productivity tools and project coordination.

Which US cities pay Executive Assistants the most in 2026?

The 5 highest-paying US cities for Executive Assistants: San Francisco, CA ($112K); Oakland, CA ($101K); New York, NY ($97K); Seattle, WA ($95K); Washington, DC ($94K). Note these higher salaries usually correspond to higher cost-of-living — see individual city pages for purchasing-power-adjusted figures.

Which US cities have the lowest Executive Assistant salaries?

Lowest-paying metros for Executive Assistants: Wichita ($61K), El Paso ($61K), Tulsa ($63K). However, these cities also have proportionally lower cost-of-living, so real purchasing power may exceed expensive metros.

What's the job outlook for Executive Assistants?

Executive assistant roles projected to decline 5% through 2034 as AI automates routine admin tasks. C-suite EAs at top firms remain in demand. BLS projects -5% employment growth from 2024-2034 — about as fast as average compared to all US occupations.

What skills are most valuable for Executive Assistants in 2026?

The hottest 2026 skills are: AI productivity tools, project coordination, Notion/Asana, event planning, data reporting, cross-functional support. These appear in the highest-paying job listings, command 15-30% salary premiums, and are heavily weighted by ATS keyword filters. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate.

What education is needed to become a Executive Assistant?

Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred. However, the 2026 market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly in Operations. Top recognized credentials: Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Microsoft Office Specialist, PACE (Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence).

How do I negotiate a higher Executive Assistant salary?

I delivered $X in annualized savings in my last role through process redesign. With my PMP and Black Belt, I'm targeting $X base plus a performance bonus tied to operational KPIs. Key leverage points for Operations: Quantified savings: dollars cut from COGS, hours of process time saved; Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, CSCP certifications carry pay premiums; P&L responsibility and headcount managed. Beyond base salary, negotiate: Annual performance bonus tied to operational KPIs, PMP, Six Sigma, CSCP certification reimbursement, Profit-share or long-term incentive plan (LTIP), Relocation package for plant / DC roles.

Who are the top employers hiring Executive Assistants?

Major US employers hiring Executive Assistants include: Fortune 500 corporations, Investment banks, Tech companies, Hedge funds, Law firms, Family offices. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even reach a human recruiter.

What does an entry-level Executive Assistant make in their first year?

Entry-level (0–1 year) Executive Assistants typically earn around $51,667. By year 2–3, salary climbs to $56,160. With 7–10 years of experience, Executive Assistants earn $95,040 on average. Senior/lead roles (15+ years) reach $106,920 or more.

Methodology & Sources

National Executive Assistant salary figures derive from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, blended with 2026 market data from Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Robert Half. Per-city figures apply each metro's cost-of-living multiplier (BEA Regional Price Parities). Year-over-year change (360.0%) reflects the Operations sector's wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources