executive assistant salary 2026
Abstract
The latest national wage distribution available through O*NET uses Bureau of Labor Statistics 2025 wage data for executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants. It places the median at $76,590, with the middle half of workers between $61,390 and $94,390. [1] Robert Half projects a narrower $58,250 to $86,750 starting salary range for executive assistants in its 2026 guide. [4] These figures answer different questions. The BLS distribution describes wages paid to workers in the occupation, while Robert Half estimates starting pay for a new hire.
Methodology
This review uses the federal occupation 43-6011, Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, as the closest consistent national definition. The primary wage percentiles are 2025 BLS estimates published through O*NET. [1] The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides a May 2024 cross-check and was last modified on August 28, 2025. [2] Robert Half figures are projected 2026 starting salaries based on placements made by its recruiters and job posting data from Textkernel. [4][5] Robert Half does not present those figures as wages for all incumbents, and they exclude bonuses and annual merit increases.
What the evidence can support
For U.S. workers in occupation 43-6011, the 2025 annual wage percentiles are $50,560 at the 10th percentile, $61,390 at the 25th, $76,590 at the median, $94,390 at the 75th, and $109,850 at the 90th. The corresponding hourly figures are $24.31, $29.52, $36.82, $45.38, and $52.81. [1]
A practical hiring range should not treat the 10th and 90th percentiles as automatic minimum and maximum offers. The distribution includes workers with different tenure, responsibilities, industries, and locations. It is a national reference point, not a quote for one job. The BLS handbook and requirements survey clarify the occupation, while the staffing guide and its methodology provide the separate starting salary comparison. [2][3][4][5]
What the 2026 starting salary guide measures
Robert Half projects $58,250 for a candidate who is new to the role or still building the required skills, $70,250 for a candidate with moderate experience who meets most requirements, and $86,750 for a candidate with extensive experience and advanced skills. Its separate senior executive assistant range is $76,750, $84,500, and $97,250 at the same three levels. [4]
These are projected starting salaries, not observed wage percentiles. Robert Half says its model uses compensation from candidates it has placed with U.S. employers and third party job posting data from Textkernel for validation. [5] The methodology is transparent about the source types, but it does not publish the executive assistant sample size on the role page. That limits independent analysis of the estimates.
Why the BLS and Robert Half figures differ
The national BLS median of $76,590 is higher than Robert Half's projected $70,250 midpoint for a new executive assistant hire. [1][4] This is not evidence that one source is wrong. The BLS figure covers wages paid across the occupation, including established employees. Robert Half models starting pay and uses its own role definitions and recruiting market data.
The older Occupational Outlook Handbook figure shows why dataset dates matter. Its executive subgroup median was $74,260 in May 2024. [2] Use the newer 2025 wage distribution for a current benchmark, while retaining the handbook for its occupational definition and employment outlook.
How role scope should change the range
BLS describes executive assistants as providing high-level support that may include reviewing documents, conducting research, preparing reports, and supervising clerical staff. [2] A role limited to calendar administration should not be benchmarked the same way as one that owns board logistics, prepares decision materials, supervises staff, or supports several executives.
The 2025 Occupational Requirements Survey adds useful context. Prior work experience was required for 87.2 percent of workers in the occupation, and more than basic people skills were required for 95.9 percent. Routine telework was allowed for 39.5 percent. [3] Those are job requirement observations, not pay premiums. They support writing a precise role profile before choosing where an offer belongs within the range.
A defensible 2026 hiring range
Start with the national wage quartiles of $61,390 to $94,390, then compare the job with Robert Half's $58,250 to $86,750 projected starting range. [1][4] Move within that span based on documented scope, required experience, location, industry, schedule expectations, and the value of benefits. If the position matches a senior executive assistant brief, compare it with Robert Half's separate $76,750 to $97,250 range rather than stretching the standard title beyond its definition. [4]
Keep salary separate from total employer cost. The executive assistant cost guide covers benefits and overhead, while the executive assistant service pricing guide compares outsourced service structures. Employers considering managed support can also request a free consultation.
Limits of these benchmarks
A central limitation is that national figures can conceal large local differences. Neither source replaces a location-specific review, an internal pay equity check, or applicable salary transparency rules. Job titles also vary. Match the actual duties to the federal occupation and the staffing guide description before using either range.
BLS wage estimates come from an employer survey and describe the occupation at a point in time. Robert Half combines its placement data with job postings to project starting salaries. [1][5] Do not average the two datasets. Use each for the question it was built to answer.
Key findings
- The 2025 national median wage is $76,590 for executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants. [1]
- The middle half of the national wage distribution runs from $61,390 to $94,390. [1]
- Robert Half projects $58,250 to $86,750 in 2026 starting salary for its standard executive assistant role. [4]
- Robert Half projects $76,750 to $97,250 for senior executive assistant starting salaries. [4]
- Observed occupational wages and projected starting salaries should be compared, not combined.
Sources
- National Wages: Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, O*NET OnLine
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Executive Assistant Salary, 2026 Salary Guide, Robert Half
- 2026 Salary Guide methodology, Robert Half
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- OEWS Data Overview, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- OEWS Frequently Asked Questions, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- OEWS Technical Notes, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Occupational Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics