Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
SOC code 43-6011 · O*NET-SOC 43-6011.00 · Medium preparation needed · Office and administration
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$76,590
a year
Hourly
$36.82
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$79,140
$38.05 per hour
Middle 50%
$61,390 – $94,390
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$50,560 – $109,850
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
459,910
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $50,560
- $24.31/hr
- 25th percentile
- $61,390
- $29.52/hr
- Median percentile
- $76,590
- $36.82/hr
- 75th percentile
- $94,390
- $45.38/hr
- 90th percentile
- $109,850
- $52.81/hr
What do executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants do?
Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Manage and maintain executives' schedules.
- Process payroll information.
- Make travel arrangements for executives.
- Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements, and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.
- Coordinate and direct office services, such as records, departmental finances, budget preparation, personnel issues, and housekeeping, to aid executives.
- Answer phone calls and direct calls to appropriate parties or take messages.
- Prepare responses to correspondence containing routine inquiries.
- Open, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and email.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree — 34% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree34%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)24%
- Some College Courses21%
- Bachelor's Degree12%
Common questions
How much does an executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants earn?
The national median is $76,590 a year. The full range runs from $50,560 at the 10th percentile to $109,850 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Writing3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Administrative4.5/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
- Computers and Electronics3.3/5
- Administration and Management3.2/5
- Personnel and Human Resources2.8/5
- Communications and Media2.7/5
- Mathematics2.5/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Coordination, Social Perceptiveness, Time Management.