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2026 Salary Data — Boston, MA
Updated April 28, 2026

Executive Assistant Salary in Boston: $94K Median

Executive Assistants in Boston, MA earn between $61K and $154K per year.

That's +30% above the US national median of $72,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Executive Assistant salary in Boston, MA is $93,600 per year — +30% above the US national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $60,840 (entry, 25th percentile) to $154,440 (90th percentile). Executive Assistants in Boston earned approximately $20,348 in 2025, representing 360.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$93,600
+360.0% YoY · $7,800/mo
Entry
$73,008
0–2 years
Experienced
$123,552
5+ years
Top 10%
$154,440
Senior/lead
Executive Assistant Salary — Boston vs Nearby
Boston
$94K
San Diego
$85K
+10% vs Boston
Seattle
$95K
-2% vs Boston
Long Beach
$86K
+8% vs Boston

Free ATS scan · Boston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Executive Assistants in Boston

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

Core Responsibilities

  • Manage executive calendar and travel
  • Coordinate meetings and prepare agendas
  • Handle confidential correspondence
  • Plan executive offsites and events
  • Support special projects and reporting

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred

In-demand certifications

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

Boston Job Market

Premier biotech, healthcare, and education hub with major tech presence.

Population
692K
Cost of Living
162
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.4%
Median Home
$750K

Top Industries in Boston

HealthcareEducationBiotechTechFinance

Top Employers Hiring Executive Assistants

Major employers active in Boston or hiring remotely from this metro.

Fortune 500 corporations
Investment banks
Tech companies
Hedge funds
Law firms
Family offices

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Executive Assistant listings.

AI productivity toolsproject coordinationNotion/Asanaevent planningdata reportingcross-functional support

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

calendar managementtravel coordinationC-suite supportMicrosoft OfficeGoogle Workspaceexpense reportsevent planningdiscretionproject coordination
Career Outlook
+-5% Growth Projected (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.

Executive Assistant Salary Breakdown — Boston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$60,840$93,600$154,440
Monthly$5,070$7,800$12,870
Weekly$1,170$1,800$2,970
Hourly$29$45$74

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($72,000) adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Executive Assistant Take-Home Pay in Boston

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$69,465.6
Per month$5,789
Biweekly paycheck$2,672
Effective tax rate25.8%

Tax Breakdown on $93,600

Gross salary$93,600
Federal income tax−$12,294
Massachusetts state tax−$4,680
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,160.4
Take-home (net)$69,465.6

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Executive Assistant Salary by Experience — Boston

Career-stage progression for Executive Assistants in Boston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$67,167
2–3 yr$73,008
4–6 yr$98,280
7–10 yr$123,552
11–15 yr$145,791
15+ yr$138,996

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Boston's 1.30× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+360.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,348
2026 median:$93,600
Change:+$73,252

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

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$57,778
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Executive Assistant Salary in Boston

Walk-away anchor: $85,091 (offers below this are below market for Boston).

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 Salary, 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."

Anchor on $124K–$154K for experienced roles, citing Boston market data and your specific AI productivity tools/project coordination expertise.

Executive Assistant Salary FAQ — Boston

What is the average Executive Assistant salary in Boston, MA?
The average Executive Assistant salary in Boston is $93,600 per year as of April 2026 — $7,800/month, $1,800/week, or about $45/hour. Salaries range from $60,840 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $154,440 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×).
Is $93,600 a good Executive Assistant salary in Boston?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Boston's cost-of-living index is 162 (vs 100 nationally), giving $93,600 a real purchasing power of approximately $57,778 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $93,600 in Boston?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Boston specifically (median home price $750,000), a $93,600 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $93,600 enough for a single person in Boston?
A single adult in Boston typically needs ~$72,900 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $93,600 salary is above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with reasonable budgeting.
Is $93,600 enough for a couple in Boston?
A couple (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$116,640 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $93,600 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $93,600 each ($187,200 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $93,600 enough for a family of 4 in Boston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$178,200 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $93,600 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Boston. Childcare costs in Boston typically run $24K-$45K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Executive Assistant in Boston?
On a $93,600 Executive Assistant salary in Boston, MA, you take home approximately $69,465.6 per year ($5,789/month, $2,672 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $12,294, state $4,680, FICA $7,160.4. Effective tax rate: 25.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Executive Assistants in Boston earn compared to the US average?
Executive Assistants in Boston earn approximately 30% more than the US national median for this role ($72,000 nationally vs $93,600 in Boston). However, Boston's cost-of-living index of 162 means real purchasing power is approximately $57,778 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Executive Assistant earn in Boston?
Entry-level Executive Assistants in Boston typically start at around $73,008 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Executive Assistants earn $123,552 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $154,440+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Executive Assistant salaries in Boston increase in 2026?
Yes — Executive Assistant salaries in Boston grew approximately 360.0% year-over-year, from $20,348 in 2025 to $93,600 in 2026 (+$73,252). This reflects the broader Operations sector's compensation trend, driven by AI productivity tools and project coordination demand.
What's the job outlook for Executive Assistants in Boston?
Executive assistant roles projected to decline 5% through 2034 as AI automates routine admin tasks. C-suite EAs at top firms remain in demand. Boston's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Biotech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.4% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Executive Assistants in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Executive Assistants are: AI productivity tools, project coordination, Notion/Asana, event planning, data reporting, cross-functional support. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Boston.
Who are the top employers hiring Executive Assistants in Boston?
Top employers hiring Executive Assistants in or near Boston 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 get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Executive Assistant salary in Boston?
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 negotiations: 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 for: 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.
How can I increase my Executive Assistant salary in Boston?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (AI productivity tools, project coordination, Notion/Asana) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or Microsoft Office Specialist). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Executive Assistant in Boston?
Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred is the typical path. However, Boston's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Operations roles.

Methodology & Sources

Executive Assistant salary figures for Boston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($72,000) by Boston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.30× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (360.0%) reflects the Operations sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Boston

Operations Manager →Project Manager →HR Manager →Business Analyst →Customer Success Manager →Supply Chain Manager →

Executive Assistant Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$92KSeattle, WA$95KWashington, DC$94K

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