executive assistant workforce demographics
Abstract
The Current Population Survey estimated 249,000 employed executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants in 2025. Women represented 93.5 percent, and median age was 47.6. [1][2] The unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, while median weekly earnings for full-time wage-and-salary workers were $1,423. [3][4]
Methodology
This review uses 2025 annual-average BLS Current Population Survey tables for occupation 43-6011. Counts are in thousands. Race and ethnicity columns overlap. Earnings cover full-time wage and salary workers. BLS states these are 11-month averages because October data were not collected during the federal shutdown and are not strictly comparable with other annual averages.
The employed workforce was estimated at 249,000
BLS estimated 249,000 employed workers. [1] This household estimate differs from the 459,910 May 2025 employer-survey estimate because the programs use different populations and methods.
The job outlook review explains why unlike counts should not be subtracted.
Women represented 93.5 percent
The workforce was 93.5 percent women, 79.3 percent White, 12.1 percent Black, 4.8 percent Asian, and 16.3 percent Hispanic or Latino. [1]
Race and ethnicity overlap and should not be added. Composition does not measure fairness or availability.
Median age was 47.6
BLS estimated 53,000 workers ages 25 to 34, 56,000 ages 35 to 44, 51,000 ages 45 to 54, 70,000 ages 55 to 64, and 17,000 age 65 or older. [2]
The distribution can inform succession planning but does not justify age-based selection.
Unemployment was 3.8 percent
The labor force was 259,000, including 10,000 unemployed workers. [3]
This is not a recruiting conversion rate; local role requirements narrow candidate pools.
Median weekly earnings were $1,423
For 213,000 full-time wage and salary workers, median weekly earnings were $1,423. The median for 200,000 women was $1,374; BLS suppressed the estimate for men. [4]
Weekly earnings exclude part-time and self-employed workers. Compare the salary benchmark.
How employers should use the evidence
Use national statistics to test assumptions, not to prefer or exclude applicants. Define scope, authority, schedule, experience, and compensation before sourcing.
Teams can discuss support requirements before setting a search strategy.
Key findings
- 249,000 workers were employed. [1]
- Women represented 93.5 percent. [1]
- Median age was 47.6. [2]
- Unemployment was 3.8 percent. [3]
- Median weekly earnings were $1,423. [4]
Sources
- Employed People by Detailed Occupation, Sex, Race, and Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity, 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Employed People by Detailed Occupation and Age, 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Unemployment Levels and Rates by Detailed Occupation, 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Median Weekly Earnings of Full-Time Wage and Salary Workers by Detailed Occupation and Sex, 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics