$Who Earns What

How much does a executive assistant make?

US Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

Answer: A typical executive assistant in the United States makes $76,590 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Yearly pay of a typical person doing this job in the US
$76,590

Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 460,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).

Lower earner
$50,560
10th from the bottom of 100
Typical person
$76,590
Right in the middle (median)
Higher earner
$109,850
10th from the top of 100

If 100 people had this job

Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-right

Hover over a person to see their yearly pay

52 of 100
more than half

Executive assistant pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)

Executive assistant pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$50,560$76,590$109,850about 460,000
States where executive assistants earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
District of Columbia$90,850about 5,000
New Jersey$89,520about 12,000
California$89,000about 60,000
Massachusetts$82,650about 15,000
Connecticut$82,520about 6,000

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, experience, in-demand skills, and optional certification can affect an executive assistant’s pay. The employer and industry, the job’s responsibilities, location, and hours worked can also make a difference.

What if you lived in a different state?

Pay varies a lot by state in the US
Whole US$76,590
District of Columbia$90,850
New Jersey$89,520
California$89,000
Massachusetts$82,650
Connecticut$82,520
Louisiana$53,240
Wyoming$52,210
Arkansas$51,600

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

What does a executive assistant do?

Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff. Excludes “Secretaries” (43-6012 through 43-6014).

What's a typical day like?

They open the executive’s calendar, reshuffle meetings, book travel, and prepare reports or letters. They may route calls, set up a board meeting, and take notes while helping the office run smoothly.

How to get this job

In the United States, people can start with a high school diploma and strong word-processing and spreadsheet skills; some employers prefer college courses or a degree. Many move up from other office jobs after several years, and certification is optional.

Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)

Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling.

Did you know?

Surprisingly, in 2025, about 4 in 10 US executive assistant jobs routinely allowed telework—so some assistants could work from home.

What about Japan?

Nearly the same job
US
Executive assistant (typical)
$76,590
Secretary (average)
$39,441

The US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.

Similar jobs

Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)

Sources and data

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY