Wondering how much you should pay for an executive assistant in 2024? It’s important to offer a competitive executive assistant salary to attract the best talent, but you also don’t want to overspend. So, in this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at current salaries, factors influencing pay, and practical tips to help you set a competitive salary.
Quick Figures: Executive Assistant Salary
Let’s start with a general overview of executive assistant salaries, and we’ll dive into specifics for different locations later in the article.
| Region | Average Salary (USD) | Cost Savings Compared to US |
| United States | $55,000 | – |
| Latin America | $20,000 | 63.64% |
| Europe | $40,000 | 27.27% |
| Asia | $30,000 | 45.45% |
Executive Assistant Salary: By Location
Salaries for executive assistants differ based on the location, usually depending on cost of living, economic conditions, and demand. Here’s a quick look at executive assistant salaries in various countries and the benefits of hiring from these regions.
1. Philippines
Filipino executive assistants are highly regarded for their excellent English skills, both spoken and written. They handle client interactions with professionalism, making them ideal for international businesses, especially in the IT, healthcare, and customer service sectors.
The Philippines is well-known for its robust BPO industry, offering cost-effective outsourcing solutions because of government support, training programs, and a strong infrastructure.
2. Mexico
Mexican executive assistants are valued for their bilingual capabilities in English and Spanish. This makes them suitable for companies in the U.S. and Canada, especially in manufacturing, automotive, and electronics. The proximity to North and South America and the availability of a skilled workforce make Mexico an attractive outsourcing destination.
3. Poland
Polish executive assistants are known for their high educational standards and multilingual skills, which are beneficial in finance, IT, and consulting industries. Poland’s emphasis on education and a service-oriented culture make it a popular choice for outsourcing complex administrative tasks.
4. Portugal
Portugal’s executive assistants are known for their organizational skills and fluency in multiple languages. The list includes English, Spanish, French, and German. This multilingual capability is useful for global operations in sectors like tourism, IT, and renewable energy. The country also offers a strong infrastructure and even provides government incentives for business growth.
5. India
Indian executive assistants are recognized for their technical skills, strong English proficiency, and efficiency in managing a wide range of administrative duties. These professionals are particularly valuable in the IT, finance, and pharmaceutical industries. India’s large pool of skilled professionals and lower living costs make it an ideal outsourcing destination.
6. Brazil
Brazilian executive assistants are known for their adaptability and strong interpersonal skills, making them effective in finance, agriculture, and energy. Brazil has made significant investments in telecommunication infrastructure, which supports the growth of customer service and administrative roles.
7. Thailand
Thai executive assistants have strong organizational and customer service skills. This makes them suitable for sectors like tourism, manufacturing, and healthcare. Thailand offers a balance of cost-effective labor, advanced technology, and strong government support for foreign investments.
8. Romania
Romanian executive assistants possess technical skills and multilingual abilities, which are beneficial in the IT, automotive, and telecommunications industries. Romania’s service-oriented culture and high education levels make it a preferred outsourcing destination for administrative tasks.
9. Argentina
Argentine executive assistants are well-educated and skilled in handling complex tasks, making them valuable in industries like agriculture, IT, and energy. Argentina offers a large pool of bilingual and multilingual talent, supported by a strong educational system and government incentives for foreign businesses.
10. Malaysia
Malaysian executive assistants are highly organized and proficient in English. This makes them effective in industries like electronics, finance, and healthcare. The country’s diverse workforce and supportive business environment, coupled with tax incentives, make it a competitive outsourcing location.
Executive Assistant Salary: By Experience
Experience plays a big role in determining the salary of an executive assistant. Here is a breakdown of estimated annual salaries based on experience in different regions.
US Executive Assistant
With one of the largest economies in the world, it’s no wonder that US-based executive assistants have a higher salary than most countries. The average salary in the US as of 2024 is approximately $59,000, and the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual Salary (USD) |
| Less than 1 year | $40,000 |
| 1-2 years | $45,000 |
| 3-4 years | $50,000 |
| 5-9 years | $55,000 |
| 10+ years | $60,000+ |
Latin America Executive Assistant
In Latin America, salaries for executive assistants are lower compared to the US but increase steadily with experience. The average annual salary in Mexico averages around $11,000 yearly, and the minimum wage is around $1.70 per hour.
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual Salary (USD) |
| Less than 1 year | $12,000 |
| 1-2 years | $15,000 |
| 3-4 years | $18,000 |
| 5-9 years | $20,000 |
| 10+ years | $22,000+ |
Europe Executive Assistant
Executive assistant salaries in Europe offer a middle ground between the US and Latin America. Although the demand for skilled professionals remains high, it does have a diverse range of economies that differs from country to country. Because of this, the average annual salary in Europe varies widely, from as low as $26,000 for Greece to as high as $79,000 for Iceland.
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual Salary (USD) |
| Less than 1 year | $30,000 |
| 1-2 years | $35,000 |
| 3-4 years | $38,000 |
| 5-9 years | $40,000 |
| 10+ years | $45,000+ |
Asia Executive Assistant
In Asia, executive assistant salaries vary widely but they usually cost less to employ and come with a growing number of skilled professionals. This is especially true for Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, which has an average annual salary of $10,000 and a minimum wage of $11 per day.
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual Salary (USD) |
| Less than 1 year | $20,000 |
| 1-2 years | $25,000 |
| 3-4 years | $28,000 |
| 5-9 years | $30,000 |
| 10+ years | $35,000+ |
Executive Assistant Salary: By Industry
The industry where an executive assistant works can also greatly influence their salary. Some sectors have higher pay simply because they need specialized skills. Let’s take a look.
| Industry | Estimated Annual Salary (USD) | Role of Executive Assistant |
| Technology | $62,000 | Manages schedules, coordinates tech projects, and handles sensitive information. |
| Finance | $60,000 | Prepares reports, manages financial documents, and arranges meetings. |
| Legal | $59,000 | Assists with legal cases, organizes documents, and communicates with clients. |
| Healthcare | $58,000 | Manages medical staff schedules, handles patient communication, and supports admin tasks. |
| eCommerce | $56,000 | Supports online business activities, manages customer relations, and processes orders. |
| Government | $55,000 | Helps with policy development, coordinates public services, and manages clerical tasks. |
| Real Estate | $54,000 | Organizes property viewings, manages contracts, and communicates with clients and agents. |
| Manufacturing | $53,000 | Assists with production schedules, coordinates with vendors, and handles logistics. |
| Education | $52,000 | Handles administrative tasks, supports faculty, and organizes school events. |
| Non-Profit | $50,000 | Assists with fundraising events, communicates with donors, and coordinates volunteers. |
Additional Factors That Affect An Executive Assistant’s Salary
Aside from experience and industry, several additional factors influence the salary of an executive assistant.
A. Company Size
Bigger corporations offer higher salaries because of the more complex duties and responsibilities they need. For example, executive assistants in large companies can earn up to 20% more than those in smaller firms, where the roles might be less complex but more varied.
Smaller companies may offer lower pay but they do provide more opportunities for EAs to learn and advance their career quickly because of the diverse tasks they’ll handle early on – a great option for those seeking exposure and fast professional development.
B. Executive Level Supported
Supporting senior executives and C-level leaders usually comes with higher pay because of the importance and confidentiality of the role.
Executive assistants to CEOs, for instance, can earn around $76,000 annually in the US, compared to $56,000 for those supporting mid-level managers. After all, managing confidential information, strategizing, and extensive scheduling warrant higher compensation.
In contrast, lower-level managers often have fewer critical responsibilities, so their junior executive assistants also receive a lower wage.
C. Education & Certifications
A high school diploma is the minimum requirement for many companies, but higher education can improve hiring prospects and potential salary negotiations.
Additionally, obtaining certifications like the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or business administration degrees can also be beneficial. After all, a certificate shows that they can handle higher-end functions and are committed to continuous professional development.
D. Specialized Skills
Specialized skills can significantly boost an executive assistant’s salary. Multilingual abilities, advanced IT knowledge, or proficiency in specialized software are highly valued. For example, bilingual executive assistants might earn 5%-20% more than monolingual ones.
Familiarity with tools like Asana or Trello, or having SAP certification, can also result in higher pay. These skills make executive assistants more efficient and better able to support their executives.
E. Performance & Achievements
High performance and outstanding achievements can increase an executive assistant’s earning potential. It’s simple: professionals who bring significant value to their employers can negotiate higher salaries.
To find top-performing professionals, you can use platforms like Genius. At Genius, we have a strict vetting process to ensure that only the top 1% of candidates are matched with employers.
F. Contract Type & Length
Permanent, full-time roles generally provide greater stability and better pay than temporary or part-time work. Full-time executive assistants earn more on average than part-timers and may receive additional benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.
G. Scope of Responsibilities
Roles like project management, event planning, and strategic business initiatives that require specialized skills generally pay more. Such roles demand greater organization, strategic oversight, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently, justifying the higher compensation.
How To Negotiate Reasonable Executive Assistant Salaries
Negotiating salaries for executive assistants requires a strategic approach that balances cost-effectiveness with fair compensation.
I. Understand Cost-Effective Hiring
Start by exploring how hiring from regions like the Philippines or Latin America can cut costs significantly.
Using specialized talent agencies like Genius, which thoroughly vet candidates, can help you find skilled EAs at a fraction of the US cost. This approach allows you to hire top-quality professionals while still effectively managing your budget.
II. Adjust the Offer Based on the Region
While the cost of living in these regions is lower than in the US, it’s important to offer competitive salaries in their local markets.
For instance, if the average salary for an EA in the Philippines is significantly lower than in New York, make sure your offer is at the upper end of their local scale. This strategy makes your offer attractive and shows respect for the candidate’s value and skills.
III. Be Transparent About Growth Opportunities
Clearly communicate potential career development and salary growth during discussions. Explain that while the initial salary might be lower than a US-based counterpart, there’s substantial room for increases based on performance and the company’s growth.
This transparency can be a major incentive for candidates looking for long-term opportunities and can motivate them to commit to your company.
IV. Keep the Communication Open
Maintain clear, open dialogue about the offer. Be ready to explain why you believe the package is fair, based on their local economy and the cost savings your business is aiming for.
Seeing things from their perspective and being open to negotiation can help finalize an agreement that works for both parties. Open communication helps build trust and a positive working relationship right from the start.
Conclusion
When negotiating an executive assistant salary, find a balance that ensures you’re not overpaying, while still giving a fair and attractive salary that will draw in top talent. Consider regional cost differences, and discuss growth opportunities to retain them for a long time to come.
If you are looking for highly skilled executive assistants, Genius connects you with top candidates. Our risk-free hiring process includes free interviews, a one-time fee when you hire, and a 6-month guarantee to make sure you’re getting the best talent for your team. Ready to invest in quality executive assistants for your company’s success? Reach out to Genius today!
FAQs
How do executive assistant roles differ between industries?
Executive assistants in the technology industry oversee tech projects and handle sensitive information, while those in healthcare manage patient communication and staff schedules. The specific responsibilities differ based on each industry’s unique needs.
What are the typical career paths of executive assistants?
Executive assistants advance to positions like office manager, operations director, or even chief of staff. Career progression can depend on factors like the individual’s experience level, skill set, and the company’s structure.
How can an executive assistant improve their skills?
Executive assistants can improve their skills through continuing education, getting certifications like the Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), and staying updated on industry trends. Training in project management and advanced software is also helpful.
What’s the typical work environment for an executive assistant?
Executive assistants usually work in an office, though remote and hybrid options are increasingly available. They work in a high-energy environment that demands strong organizational and multitasking skills.
