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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Executive Assistant in Illinois is $90,439 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
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 | $101,419 | $8,452 | $1,950 | $49 |
| Average | $90,439 | $7,537 | $1,739 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,945 | $6,745 | $1,557 | $39 |
Real Estate company - Downers Grove, IL
Addison Group - Chicago, IL
Addison Group - Chicago, IL
Zonatherm Products Inc - Buffalo Grove, IL
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 | $63,146 |
| Executive... Level Executive Assistant | $73,262 |
| Executive... Level Executive Assistant | $88,152 |
| Executive... Level Executive Assistant | $99,639 |
| Executive... Level Executive Assistant | $119,491 |
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 | $117,571 | $57.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $117,571 | $57.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $113,049 | $54.0 | 25% |
| Insurance | $108,527 | $52.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $106,719 | $51.0 | 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 | $101,419 | $8,452 | $1,950 | $49 |
| Average | $90,439 | $7,537 | $1,739 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,945 | $6,745 | $1,557 | $39 |
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.
EROAD
Chicago, IL
EROAD | Chicago, IL
We're looking for a highly organized and proactive Executive Assistant (EA) to support our North American executive leadership team. This is a high-impact ... more
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Warrenville, IL
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Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
Bloomington, IL
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois | Bloomington, IL
Job TypeFull-timeDescriptionGirl Scout Mission: Girl Scouts of Central Illinois offers professional opportunities for talented, forward-thinking individual... more
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Feastables
Chicago, IL
Feastables | Chicago, IL
Feastables is on a mission to create the world's most engaging brand. As the CPG industry teeters on the edge of transformation, trust has shifted from tra... more
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Randstad
Northbrook, IL
Randstad | Northbrook, IL
Are you the Chaos Coordinator who thrives when the stakes are high. We aren't looking for a typical admin. we're looking for a Strategic Right Hand. If you... more
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Logistics Property Company, LLC
Chicago, IL
Logistics Property Company, LLC | Chicago, IL
DescriptionExecutive AssistantChicago, IL 60606 (On-site)Full-time, 5 days per week at 191 N Wacker, Chicago LoopAbout the RoleLogistics Property Company, ... more
4 Days Ago
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