Salary Outlook
In 2011, executive assistants earned a median average salary of $45,580, according to the Labor Department's report. The best-paid made approximately $71,020, while the worst-paid made around $30,000. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of New York City and Nassau, N.Y., as well as San Jose, Calif.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | $34,790.00 |
| 2004 | $34,070.00 |
| 2006 | $35,620.00 |
| 2008 | $38,230.00 |
| 2010 | $45,860.00 |
Average Executive Assistant Pay vs. All Business Jobs
The average executive assistant earns $45,580 a year, while the average administrative assistant makes about half that. A receptionist, who may report to an executive assistant, makes $25,690 per year. Office mates who are higher up on the food chain make substantially more: a management analyst earns an average annual salary of $78,490 and a business operations manager earns close to $100,000 a year.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Business Operations Manager | $95,150.00 |
| Compliance Officer | $60,740.00 |
| Executive Assistant | $45,580.00 |
| Administrative Assistant | $31,870.00 |
| Receptionist | $25,240.00 |
See Complete List of Best Business Jobs
Best Paying Cities for Executive Assistants
The highest paid in the executive assistant profession work in the metropolitan areas of New York City, NY, San Jose, CA, and Nassau, NY. The Bridgeport, CT area also pays well, as does the city of San Francisco, CA.
New York City, NY
Average Salary: $63,180 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of an executive assistant working in New York City, NY is $63,180, which is $17,600 more than the average pay in the profession.
San Jose, CA
Average Salary: $62,080 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of an executive assistant working in San Jose, CA is $62,080, which is $16,500 more than the average pay in the profession.
Nassau, NY
Average Salary: $61,570 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of an executive assistant working in Nassau, NY is $61,570, which is $15,990 more than the average pay in the profession.
Bridgeport, CT
Average Salary: $61,260 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of an executive assistant working in Bridgeport, CT is $61,260, which is $15,680 more than the average pay in the profession.
San Francisco, CA
Average Salary: $61,170 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of an executive assistant working in San Francisco, CA is $61,170, which is $15,590 more than the average pay in the profession.
