90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Philadelphia, PA
Updated April 28, 2026

Executive Assistant Salary in Philadelphia: $75K Median

Executive Assistants in Philadelphia, PA earn between $49K and $124K per year.

That's +4% above the US national median of $72,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Executive Assistant salary in Philadelphia, PA is $74,880 per year — +4% above the US national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $48,672 (entry, 25th percentile) to $123,552 (90th percentile). Executive Assistants in Philadelphia earned approximately $16,278 in 2025, representing 360.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$74,880
+360.0% YoY · $6,240/mo
Entry
$58,406
0–2 years
Experienced
$98,842
5+ years
Top 10%
$123,552
Senior/lead
Executive Assistant Salary — Philadelphia vs Nearby
Philadelphia
$75K
Las Vegas
$68K
+9% vs Philadelphia
Minneapolis
$79K
-5% vs Philadelphia
Chicago
$76K
-1% vs Philadelphia

Free ATS scan · Philadelphia employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Executive Assistants in Philadelphia

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)

Philadelphia Job Market

Major East Coast medical, education, and pharmaceutical hub.

Population
1584K
Cost of Living
109
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.6%
Median Home
$285K

Top Industries in Philadelphia

HealthcareEducationFinancePharmaceuticalsManufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Executive Assistants

Major employers active in Philadelphia 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 — Philadelphia

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$48,672$74,880$123,552
Monthly$4,056$6,240$10,296
Weekly$936$1,440$2,376
Hourly$23$36$59

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($72,000) adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Executive Assistant Take-Home Pay in Philadelphia

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$55,869.264
Per month$4,656
Biweekly paycheck$2,149
Effective tax rate25.4%

Tax Breakdown on $74,880

Gross salary$74,880
Federal income tax−$8,175.6
Pennsylvania state tax−$2,298.816
Philadelphia local tax−$2,808
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$5,728.32
Take-home (net)$55,869.264

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 — Philadelphia

Career-stage progression for Executive Assistants in Philadelphia.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$53,734
2–3 yr$58,406
4–6 yr$78,624
7–10 yr$98,842
11–15 yr$116,634
15+ yr$111,197

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Philadelphia's 1.04× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+360.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$16,278
2026 median:$74,880
Change:+$58,602

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
$68,697
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Executive Assistant Salary in Philadelphia

Walk-away anchor: $68,073 (offers below this are below market for Philadelphia).

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 $99K–$124K for experienced roles, citing Philadelphia market data and your specific AI productivity tools/project coordination expertise.

Executive Assistant Salary FAQ — Philadelphia

What is the average Executive Assistant salary in Philadelphia, PA?
The average Executive Assistant salary in Philadelphia is $74,880 per year as of April 2026 — $6,240/month, $1,440/week, or about $36/hour. Salaries range from $48,672 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $123,552 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×).
Is $74,880 a good Executive Assistant salary in Philadelphia?
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. Philadelphia's cost-of-living index is 109 (vs 100 nationally), giving $74,880 a real purchasing power of approximately $68,697 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $74,880 in Philadelphia?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Philadelphia specifically (median home price $285,000), a $74,880 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $74,880 enough for a single person in Philadelphia?
A single adult in Philadelphia typically needs ~$49,050 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $74,880 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $74,880 enough for a couple in Philadelphia?
A couple (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$78,480 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $74,880 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 $74,880 each ($149,760 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $74,880 enough for a family of 4 in Philadelphia?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$119,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $74,880 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 Philadelphia. Childcare costs in Philadelphia typically run $16K-$31K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Executive Assistant in Philadelphia?
On a $74,880 Executive Assistant salary in Philadelphia, PA, you take home approximately $55,869.264 per year ($4,656/month, $2,149 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $8,175.6, state $2,298.816, local $2,808, FICA $5,728.32. Effective tax rate: 25.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Executive Assistants in Philadelphia earn compared to the US average?
Executive Assistants in Philadelphia earn approximately 4% more than the US national median for this role ($72,000 nationally vs $74,880 in Philadelphia). However, Philadelphia's cost-of-living index of 109 means real purchasing power is approximately $68,697 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Executive Assistant earn in Philadelphia?
Entry-level Executive Assistants in Philadelphia typically start at around $58,406 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Executive Assistants earn $98,842 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $123,552+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Executive Assistant salaries in Philadelphia increase in 2026?
Yes — Executive Assistant salaries in Philadelphia grew approximately 360.0% year-over-year, from $16,278 in 2025 to $74,880 in 2026 (+$58,602). 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 Philadelphia?
Executive assistant roles projected to decline 5% through 2034 as AI automates routine admin tasks. C-suite EAs at top firms remain in demand. Philadelphia's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Finance, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.6% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 Philadelphia.
Who are the top employers hiring Executive Assistants in Philadelphia?
Top employers hiring Executive Assistants in or near Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia?
Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred is the typical path. However, Philadelphia'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 Philadelphia are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($72,000) by Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.04× — 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 Philadelphia

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

Executive Assistant Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$76KHouston, TX$76KPhoenix, AZ$72KDallas, TX$76KFort Worth, TX$73KCharlotte, NC$73KNashville, TN$72KSacramento, CA$78K

Land a $75K+ Executive Assistant Role in Philadelphia

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Operations roles