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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Executive Assistant in California is $97,866 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, an Executive Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Executive Assistant Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $109,747 | $9,146 | $2,111 | $53 |
| Average | $97,866 | $8,155 | $1,882 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,592 | $7,299 | $1,684 | $42 |
Making Waves Academy - San Pablo, CA
Allstate Floral - Cerritos, CA
Cedars-Sinai - Los Angeles, CA
Sequoia Living - San Francisco, CA
An Executive Assistant'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Executive Assistant'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Executive... Level Executive Assistant | $68,331 |
| Executive... Level Executive Assistant | $79,278 |
| Executive... Level Executive Assistant | $95,391 |
| Executive... Level Executive Assistant | $107,821 |
| Executive... Level Executive Assistant | $129,303 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Executive Assistant 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 Assistant positions in Telecom or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Executive Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $127,226 | $61.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $127,226 | $61.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $122,332 | $59.0 | 25% |
| Insurance | $117,439 | $56.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $115,482 | $56.0 | 18% |
Understanding how an Executive Assistant'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $109,747 | $9,146 | $2,111 | $53 |
| Average | $97,866 | $8,155 | $1,882 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,592 | $7,299 | $1,684 | $42 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Executive Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Whole Foods Market
Pasadena, CA
Whole Foods Market | Pasadena, CA
A career at Whole Foods Market is more than just the work you do- it's about your personal growth and creating meaningful change.Our purpose is to nourish ... more
2 Days Ago
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc.
Culver City, CA
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. | Culver City, CA
We are seeking an Executive Assistant to provide a full range of administrative and music production support for the President, Sony Picture Motion Picture... more
2 Days Ago
Universal Music Group
Santa Monica, CA
Universal Music Group | Santa Monica, CA
We are UMG, the Universal Music Group.We are the world's leading music company.In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entreprene... more
2 Days Ago
Summit Interconnect
Orange, CA
Summit Interconnect | Orange, CA
Sr. Administrative Assistant & Office ManagerWe are seeking an exceptionally organized and detail-oriented Sr. Administrative Assistant & Office Manager to... more
6 Days Ago
Scion Staffing
Berkeley, CA
Scion Staffing | Berkeley, CA
Scion Staffing has been engaged to conduct a search for an Executive Assistant for a mission-driven nonprofit research organization dedicated to innovation... more
6 Days Ago
ScaleJet
Compton, CA
ScaleJet | Compton, CA
About the job Executive AssistantOur client, Trivium Group, is looking for a dynamic and proactive Executive Assistant to provide crucial support to their ... more
6 Days Ago
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