Executive assistants often have a lengthy job description that is loaded with duties and responsibilities to help their boss save time, improve efficiency, and maximize productivity. So, how much does an executive assistant make to handle the workload? The short answer is, it greatly varies.
An executive assistant salary depends on a few factors such as experience, skills, education, geographic location, and the professional they support. In this article, we’ll go over the range in salary for executive assistants, which ones are the highest paid, and what to expect in the role.
Executive assistants make around $49,890 to $78,410 annually, plus benefits. You might be wondering why there is such a wide range in the salary of an executive assistant. An executive assistant’s salary depends on:
Education – The education of an executive assistant doesn’t affect their pay as much as other positions. Executive assistants actually come in at number two for highest paying jobs without a degree. However, an individual with a bachelor’s or master’s degree often expects a higher salary to accept a position as an executive assistant.
Experience – Experience matters a lot when it comes to the salary of an executive assistant. A professional with years of experience brings more to the table as an executive assistant. They require less training and add more value to the business, so they make more.
An individual with no experience as an executive assistant might start on the lower end of the pay range but can quickly increase their salary as they prove their expertise. Some people move up from a lower-level assistant such as administrative assistant, which has a lot of the same duties and responsibilities.
Skills – The more skills an executive assistant has, the more valuable they are to an employer. Executive assistants with advanced skills help a professional save time, increase production, and improve efficiency. For a company to break even from the executive assistant’s salary, they need to increase production by a specific amount depending on their pay.
Geographic location – With every position, the geographic location changes the pay. For example, in New York City, the cost of living is higher than in Mississippi, so people who live there need a higher salary to make ends meet. So, to answer the question of how much does an executive assistant make, the correct answer first depends on where they live.
Industry – The industry of the professional hiring the executive assistant changes the salary as some require more from their assistant than others. When a business requires a lot from its executive assistant, they are willing to pay a higher salary to attract and retain the best talent. This is especially true when the tasks are more complex and directly add to the success of the individual they support.
Executive assistants work for high-level professionals such as CEOs and Executives in an organization. Medium to large organizations always have a need for the support role for their executives, but small companies hire them too. Essentially every industry employs executive assistants. Some of the top industries executive assistants work in are:
– Universities
– Hospitals
– Legal firms
– Marketing agencies
– Financial firms
– Tech firms
Landing a role as an executive assistant takes a little preparation. You will want to take a good look at the executive assistant job description and make note of specific keywords. Understand exactly what the company is looking for in a candidate.
An executive assistant needs specific hard and soft skills to succeed in the role (we’ll get more into that next). If needed, work on brushing up on any skills, so you become the perfect fit for the position.
You’ll want to ensure your resume showcases your qualifications for the executive assistant position. It’s best to tailor your resume to fit the job and its description, including specific keywords. You’ll also want to ensure your resume includes the other essential must-haves in your resume, so you stand out.
Once your resume is perfect, and you brush up on your skills, the next step is to apply for open executive assistant positions. Double-check everything to ensure it’s free from mistakes before submitting.
Once you apply to the executive assistant position you want, you must prepare for the interview, so you nail it. The details of your resume and how you present yourself in the interview will determine the exact salary the business offers you. So, it’s best to take the time to practice for the interview so you walk in confident and show the hiring manager why you are the right fit for the position.
Top executive assistants make more as they bring increased value to their boss with their advanced skills and expertise. Many executive assistants have completed a variety of software training courses to master the common tools used in offices. Some executive assistants have obtained higher learning certificates such as Certified Administrative Professional or Organizational Management Certificate to increase their knowledge and skills.
Adding additional credentials to your resume is an excellent way to increase your salary as an executive assistant. Keep in mind executive assistants make more over time with the same employer as they showcase their skills and prove their worth. So, maintaining long-term employment with one company will increase an executive assistant’s salary.
An executive assistant wanting to make more might consider relocating to a geographic area where the pay is higher. They can also increase their income by providing better support for their boss. The more successful the professional is, the higher salary they are willing to pay their assistant for contributing to the success and retain them.
Some successful executive assistants get promoted to C-suite executive, which substantially increases their pay. Then, some executives get promoted to CEO.
Executive Assistants often have a long list of their daily duties and responsibilities. The exact tasks completed depend on the professionals they support and the industry. An executive assistants’ salary is often higher than the average when they consistently have a heavy workload.
Companies hire executive assistants to support the CEO and C-level executives. The support provided helps the professionals maintain organization, save time, maximize productivity, and improve efficiency. The goal is for the executive assistant to help their boss enough that they become more successful.
Some professionals rely heavily on their executive assistants and assign more complex tasks than others. These executive assistants make more on average than ones who only complete basic administrative jobs. The main duties and responsibilities of an executive assistant include:
– Managing calendars
– Maintaining email inbox
– Drafting correspondence
– Answer phones and act as a gatekeeper
– Greet guests
– Scheduling meetings and taking meeting minutes
– Booking appointments
– Handing travel accommodations
– Conducting research
– Pulling reports and statistics
– Basic bookkeeping
– Planning company events
– Implementing policies and procedures
The best executive assistants have specific skills that help them excel. Having advanced expertise makes an individual more sought after as they significantly save valuable time for a professional and help them maximize productivity to increase success. Executive assistants make more when they possess many soft and hard skills that benefit the business.
Organizational skills – Great executive assistants are highly organized, so nothing falls through the cracks, and they can quickly locate important documents when needed. They maintain calendars with ease and always know what needs to get completed and when.
Problem-solving skills – Executive assistants often work with little supervision and have the expert ability to problem-solve independently. They make decisions on behalf of their boss, making it essential to know the best solutions to issues that arise.
Interpersonal skills – Since executive assistants represent a high-level professional and often act as the gatekeeper to people who want access to their boss, they must have excellent interpersonal skills. They interact effectively and positively with many personalities daily, which takes skill to do successfully.
Technology skills – Executive assistants spend much of their day behind a computer utilizing a variety of software and programs to complete their work. They must have above-average working knowledge of the technology used to get their duties completed successfully.
Communication skills – Executive assistants communicate with various people daily, including executives, employees, customers, and vendors. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must for an executive assistant.
How much an executive assistant makes depends on their skill, experience, education, geographic location, and the employer. They make on average $49,890 to $78,410 annually. The highest-paid executive assistants have years of experience with advanced knowledge and expertise, as organizations are willing to offer higher salaries to attract and retain them.
Are you ready to start a career as an executive assistant or want to hire one? If so, contact Pocketbook Agency today, and we’ll find you your perfect match!
Sources:
Executive Assistant – Career Rankings, Salary, Reviews and Advice | US News Best Jobs
25 Highest Paying Jobs Without A Degree | Best Jobs Rankings | US News Careers