Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants earn $76,590 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $61,390 and $94,390. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
This page sets out what the federal data says about working as a executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants: what the job pays, how fast it is growing, and what it takes to get in. Most people arrive through a degree in Business Operations Support and Assistant and what it leads to, though it is not the only route.
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.
Also known as:
Most executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants take home around $76,590 a year, above what most college graduates make. Half earn somewhere between $61,390 and $94,390, so where you land depends a lot on employer, specialty and city. A solid living in most parts of the country. Source: BLS.
A wage on its own says nothing about whether the degree behind it pays for itself, which is a question of lifetime earnings set against the total cost of getting there.
Above the national median for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
This is what the job actually looks like on a Tuesday: 5 core activities and 5 skills the work depends on. Read it before the salary, because pay matters less than whether you would want to spend your days doing this. Source: O*NET.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
Through 2035 the BLS expects this field to change by +0.0%, meaning it is growing slowly, a little behind the average job. Around 43,300 roles open up each year, which is the number that matters most if you are starting out. Source: BLS.
Growth rates are only meaningful next to other occupations, and the full list of careers with their projected growth puts this one in context.
Slower than average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2025.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025.
The five states below employ the most Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $76,590 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 88,890 | $80,640 | +5.3% |
| 2 | California | 59,640 | $89,000 | +16.2% |
| 3 | Texas | 34,520 | $71,990 | -6.0% |
| 4 | Florida | 19,220 | $64,710 | -15.5% |
| 5 | Illinois | 14,900 | $74,390 | -2.9% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
To get hired here you will usually need a high school diploma or equivalent. The program below is the most common route in, ordered by how many people actually graduate from each one.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business Operations Support and Assistant | 16,604 | $28,311 | 940 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CA | 90 | $1,947 | $36,119 |
| 2 | Brazosport College Lake Jackson, TX | 88 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| 3 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GA | 86 | $1,164 | $30,364 |
| 4 | South Florida State College Avon Park, FL | 86 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| 5 | Imperial Valley College Imperial, CA | 86 | $1,115 | $34,487 |
| 6 | Manatee Technical College Bradenton, FL | 85 | $1,808 | $38,129 |
Once you've sized up Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
The data on Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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