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Executive Administrative Assistant I Salary in the United States

How much does an Executive Administrative Assistant I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Executive Administrative Assistant I in the United States is $62,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, an Executive Administrative Assistant I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,546
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,200 to $69,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,463

Key Factors That Influence Executive Administrative Assistant I Salaries

An Executive Administrative Assistant I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Executive Administrative Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Executive Administrative Assistant I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Executive Administrative Assistant I (0-2 years): $62,557
  • Executive Administrative Assistant II (2-4 years): $72,585
  • Executive Administrative Assistant III (4-7 years): $87,342
  • Executive Administrative Assistant IV (7+ years): $98,710
  • Executive Administrative Assistant V (7-10 years): $118,375
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Executive Administrative Assistant I0-2 years$62,557
Executive Administrative Assistant II2-4 years$72,585
Executive Administrative Assistant III4-7 years$87,342
Executive Administrative Assistant IV7+ years$98,710
Executive Administrative Assistant V7-10 years$118,375

Top Paying Cities for Executive Administrative Assistant Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $79,000
  • San Francisco: $78,100
  • Oakland: $76,400

What Skills Can Increase an Executive Administrative Assistant I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Scheduling (Mentioned in 6.65% Job Postings): Scheduling is the process of arranging, controlling and optimizing work and workloads in a production process or manufacturing process.
  • Microsoft Excel (Mentioned in 1.54% Job Postings): Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It features calculation or computation capabilities, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications.
  • Catering (Mentioned in 1.11% Job Postings): Catering is the business of providing food service at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, hospital, pub, aircraft, cruise ship, park, festival, filming location or film studio.
Skills Demand Percentage
Scheduling 6.65%
Microsoft Excel 1.54%
Catering 1.11%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Executive Administrative Assistant I's salary.

  • Onboarding: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Onboarding $72,616
16%
Collaboration $70,738
13%
Innovation $69,486
11%

Executive Administrative Assistant I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Executive Administrative Assistant I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,958. While startup companies pay approximate $59,177.

Executive Administrative Assistant I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $59,177
Growth Stage 51~500 $62,586
Established 501~5000 $67,553
Enterprise 5000+ $69,958

Executive Administrative Assistant I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Executive Administrative Assistant I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 44% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, Executive Administrative Assistant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Executive Administrative Assistant I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Executive Administrative Assistant I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$76,372$37.022%
Energy & Utilities$71,990$35.015%
Pharmaceuticals$71,364$34.014%
Healthcare$70,112$34.012%
Telecom$68,860$33.010%

Executive Administrative Assistant I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Executive Administrative Assistant I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$55,200
Average $62,600/year
$69,900
$4,600
Average $5,217/month
$5,825
$1,062
Average $1,204/week
$1,344
$27
Average $30/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $69,900 $5,825 $1,344 $34
Average $62,600 $5,217 $1,204 $30
25th Percentile $55,200 $4,600 $1,062 $27

Executive Administrative Assistant I Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Executive Administrative Assistant I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Executive Administrative Assistant II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $72,600 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Executive Administrative Assistant I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Executive Administrative Assistant I

Here are companies hiring for Executive Administrative Assistant I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Executive Administrative Assistant I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Executive Administrative Assistant I?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Executive Administrative Assistant I roles, with salaries approximately 22% above the market median.

2. What is the salary of EA in USA?

The salary of an Executive Administrative Assistant in the USA typically ranges from $65,500 to $84,700 annually. The midpoint salary is approximately $74,500, reflecting the competitive nature of this role in the job market.

3. What is the highest paid administrative assistant?

The highest paid Executive Administrative Assistants can earn a maximum salary of $84,700, with a minimum salary of $65,500 and a mid-range salary of $74,500. Major cities like Washington, DC, and New York, NY, offer competitive hourly rates, but the overall salary range for this role reflects the significant value placed on their expertise and support.

4. What is the highest paid executive assistant?

The highest paid Executive Administrative Assistants can earn up to $84,700 annually, with a minimum salary of $65,500 and a mid-range salary of $74,500. In comparison, cities like San Francisco and New York report higher averages, with salaries reaching $98,729 and $85,130 respectively, indicating a competitive market for top talent.

5. Is administrative assistant a high position?

Administrative Assistants can hold varying levels of responsibility, from entry-level to mid-level and even high-level positions. The salary for an Executive Administrative Assistant typically ranges from $65,500 to $84,700, indicating that this role can be quite significant within an organization, depending on the specific duties and department involved.

6. How much do administrative assistants make per hour in the US?

As of now, the salary for an Executive Administrative Assistant in the United States ranges from $65,500 to $84,700 annually. This translates to an hourly wage between approximately $31.41 and $40.69, depending on experience and location. The midpoint salary is around $74,500, equating to about $35.74 per hour.

7. How much should I charge as an executive assistant?

As an Executive Administrative Assistant, you should consider charging between $6,500 and $8,470 per month, based on the salary data. This range reflects the minimum salary of $65,500, the mid-salary of $74,500, and the maximum salary of $84,700, depending on your experience and the specific needs of the business.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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