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Executive Secretary III Salary in the United States

How much does an Executive Secretary III make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Executive Secretary III in the United States is $87,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $106,686
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77,590 to $97,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,668
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Executive Secretary III Salaries

An Executive Secretary III'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Executive Secretary Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Executive Secretary III'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): $64,908
  • Executive Administrative Assistant II (2-4 years): $72,590
  • Executive Secretary III (4-7 years): $87,354
  • Executive Administrative Assistant IV (7+ years): $101,052
  • Executive Administrative Assistant V (7-10 years): $118,374
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Executive Administrative Assistant I0-2 years$64,908
Executive Administrative Assistant II2-4 years$72,590
Executive Secretary III4-7 years$87,354
Executive Administrative Assistant IV7+ years$101,052
Executive Administrative Assistant V7-10 years$118,374
View as Graph

How Do Executive Secretary III Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Executive Secretary IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $96,790.
  • California: $96,390.
  • Massachusetts: $95,090.

Top Paying Cities for Executive Secretary IIIs

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: $110,190
  • San Francisco: $108,990
  • Oakland: $106,690

What Skills Can Increase an Executive Secretary III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Scheduling (Mentioned in 6.72% 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 1.61% 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 1.09% 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 6.72%
Microsoft Excel 1.61%
Catering 1.09%
See More Skills

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 Secretary III's salary.

  • Logistics: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Logistics $90,886
4%
Analysis $90,886
4%
Innovation $90,012
3%
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Executive Secretary III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Executive Secretary III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $97,562. While startup companies pay approximate $82,610.

Executive Secretary III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $82,610
Growth Stage 51~500 $87,350
Established 501~5000 $94,204
Enterprise 5000+ $97,562

Executive Secretary III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Executive Secretary III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Executive Secretary positions in Telecom or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Executive Secretary III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Executive Secretary III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$113,607$55.030%
Pharmaceuticals$113,607$55.030%
Biotechnology$109,238$53.025%
Insurance$104,868$50.020%
Energy & Utilities$103,120$50.018%

How Education impacts an Executive Secretary III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Executive Secretary IIIs enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Executive Secretary III with a Associate's Degree is between $84,768 and $90,533).

Executive Secretary III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Executive Secretary III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 26.3%
Associates 19.2%
Bachelors 46.2%
Masters 6.9%
Doctorate 0.2%
View as Graph

Executive Secretary III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Executive Secretary III'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 October 01, 2026
$77,590
Average $87,390/year
$97,490
$6,466
Average $7,283/month
$8,124
$1,492
Average $1,681/week
$1,875
$37
Average $42/hour
$47
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $97,490 $8,124 $1,875 $47
Average $87,390 $7,283 $1,681 $42
25th Percentile $77,590 $6,466 $1,492 $37

Executive Secretary III Salary Growth & Career Path

Executive Secretary III

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Advancement

For an Executive Secretary III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Executive Administrative Assistant IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $101,100 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Executive Secretary III

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

Common company salaries for Executive Secretary III

Here are companies hiring for Executive Secretary III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Executive Secretary III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Executive Secretary III?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Executive Secretary III roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the salary of the first lady?

The First Lady does not receive a formal salary, as her role is not an elected position and is not defined by the Constitution. However, if we consider the salary range for an Executive Secretary, it typically falls between $80,890 and $103,390, with a mid-salary of $91,190. This context highlights the financial aspects of similar roles in government.

3. What is a CEO salary in USA?

The estimated total pay for an Executive Secretary in the USA ranges from $80,890 to $103,390 per year, with a median salary of $91,190. These figures reflect the typical salary range based on collected data, providing a clear picture of compensation for this role.

4. What is the president's salary?

The Executive Secretary's salary ranges from $80,890 to $103,390, with a mid-point of $91,190. This compensation reflects the responsibilities and expertise required for the role, ensuring competitive remuneration within the industry.

5. What is the highest CS salary in US?

The highest salary for an Executive Secretary in the U.S. ranges from $80,890 to $103,390, with a mid-salary of $91,190. While this is specific to the Executive Secretary role, top salaries in tech fields, like Computer Scientists, can reach over $200,000 in cities like Livermore, CA.

6. What is an assistant to a CEO called?

The CEOs of many leading companies employ an 'Executive Secretary' as a vital support role. This position acts as the CEO's eyes, ears, and problem-solver across the business. Executive Secretaries typically earn between $80,890 and $103,390, with a mid-salary of $91,190, reflecting their critical contributions to organizational success.

7. How much does an executive assistant to the CEO make in the US?

An Executive Assistant to the CEO in the US typically earns between $80,890 and $103,390 annually, with a median salary around $91,190. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and responsibilities associated with the role.

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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