Celebrity assistants are personal assistants to some of the world’s most famous people. These right-hand men and women help their clients with various tasks, from organizing essential documents to scheduling meetings to fulfilling correspondence.
Many celebrity assistants are responsible for general administrative duties like planning parties and events or managing their clients’ schedules. These professionals often liaise with their boss and other staff members. For example, they might connect with an event planner to organize a party or determine a weekly meal plan with the chef.
So, how much do celebrity assistants make? What are the primary responsibilities, skills, and requirements of being a celebrity assistant? Pocketbook Agency answers these questions and more.
Technically, you probably won’t work for a celebrity at this level, but this job can get your foot in the door and serve as a stepping stone for a higher-level position.
The entry-level or low-range personal assistant category includes hourly workers who make up to $40,000 annually. Most candidates in this group are entirely new to the profession or have no more than two years of experience.
Most entry-level assistants (or any assistants, for that matter) do not have a college degree. A low-range assistant typically runs basic errands, grooms and walks pets, helps prepare meals, picks up dry cleaning, etc. It’s also common to perform administrative duties. Many entry-level assistants receive performance bonuses.
Mid-range or medium-range personal assistants typically make $40,000 – $80,000 a year and have two to four years of PA experience. Many mid-range assistants work for celebrities, high-net-worth families, and high-profile executives.
Mid-range celebrity assistants often carry a college degree and have devoted their careers to being an assistant. In this position, you might travel with and shadow your client, book private jets, and manage your client’s day-to-day commitments.
It’s common for mid-range assistants to receive bonuses each year based on their performance. Reaching this level gives you some leverage as a celebrity assistant; you have a robust resume and will likely have no problem finding another job with a higher salary and better benefits. That said, if your employer treats you well, sticking with them for the long haul can show your loyalty, which is one of the most crucial qualities of an assistant that you can use on your resume.
Celebrity assistants in this category make between $80,000 and $150,000 yearly as their base pay. Most get end-of-year bonuses, 401(k), and health insurance benefits. High-range assistants come to the job with five to 10 years of experience, a relevant college degree, and specific and rare skill sets.
As a high-range assistant, you should be prepared to work in the office, on location, or on the go. You also need extensive experience working with high-net-worth families and celebrities while possessing special skills like coordinating flights on jets, managing several estates worldwide, supervising other staff members, and more. It’s difficult for recruiters and headhunters to fill these roles, giving you leverage if you’ve reached this category.
Ultra-high-range assistants work for A-list celebrities and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. The typical pay is $150,000 – $250,000 (or higher), and assistants at this level have at least a BS or BA degree, with many holding a master’s in a field related to their client’s industry.
These assistants serve as business managers or elite executive assistants in many ways, giving them access to vast sums of credit and cash. Most ultra-high-range celebrity assistants stand out from the crowd and have at least 10 to 15 years of experience.
Employment agencies and PA headhunters seek ultra-high-range assistants before any others, and these candidates are used to thriving in corporate environments among the world’s power players. They fulfill their personal assistant duties while having one or more assistants working under them.
Most celebrity assistants at this level are compensated a luxury guest house, apartment, or condo, and may receive a company car and are assigned a driver. These professionals serve ultra-high-net-worth executives and celebrities; only the heaviest hitters in Hollywood can afford them. As an A-list celebrity assistant, you can expect to undergo a credit history audit, criminal background check, and other scrupulous reviews. You’ll need to be insured since you’ll be responsible for managing large sums of money.
As with other types of personal assistants, a celebrity assistant is assigned a wide range of responsibilities. You might manage your client’s schedule, including developing and modifying it as needed. You might communicate with your client’s publicist, agent, and other staff members. You’ll probably coordinate your client’s travel arrangements (e.g., researching transportation, arranging accommodations, booking flights, etc.).
Many celebrity assistants also handle basic accounting duties, such as paying their boss’s bills and organizing receipts. And you’ll likely need to keep your client’s event calendar running smoothly, including meetings and public appearances. Regarding appearances, it’s common for a celebrity assistant to organize custom clothing fittings and manage their client’s grooming routines to ensure they always look their best.
As a celebrity personal assistant, you’ll need to regularly communicate and coordinate with other PAs on staff to complete tasks and projects. Further, you’ll probably coordinate with other professionals in the entertainment industry on behalf of your boss, including lawyers, publicists, producers, directors, agents, and talent scouts.
You know the gist of what to expect as a celebrity assistant. Now, let’s touch on the essential skills of a top-notch celebrity assistant.
You must be able to keep information private. You’ll likely have access to sensitive personal and professional information about your employer because you’ll manage their calendar, personal correspondence, and finances. This isn’t the job for you if you don’t know how to respect confidentiality.
As a celebrity assistant (or PA of any kind), you must be proficient at organizing your client’s files, schedule, budget, and other items. You may need to set up a meeting, arrange a business trip, or adjust your boss’s calendar to accommodate unexpected obstacles. Many celebrity assistants are also responsible for keeping their employer‘s office or home clean and tidy.
Since you’ll be partially responsible for managing your client’s time, you must employ superb time management skills for yourself. Celebrities often have a full plate and must complete a wide range of tasks promptly before the day ends.
You might need to ensure your boss wakes up on time and has everything they need to arrive at an appearance on time. Or you may need to coordinate meetings between your client and their publicist to avoid a potential PR issue.
Celebrity assistants must be proficient multitaskers. Ensure you’re prepared to handle situations when you work nonstop for days on end to keep your client’s life and career running smoothly. For instance, you might be responsible for arranging several trips within 24 hours, including establishing transportation, making reservations, and managing other logistics — all while communicating with other staff members and industry professionals on behalf of your employer.
Your salary as a celebrity assistant will depend on your experience, skill set, and employer. The market will also influence how much you make. PAs in large markets like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami naturally earn more than those in smaller markets.
If you’re ready to kickstart your celebrity assistant career, reach out to Pocketbook Agency to connect with potential employers. We help assistants of all kinds forge lucrative and fulfilling careers.
Sources:
13 Personal Assistants Of Celebs Are Revealing What It’s Like To Work For Someone Famous | Ranker
Productively Managing an Executive’s Calendar | Medium
I’m a Personal Assistant to a Very Famous Celebrity. Here’s What It’s Like | Yahoo! News