Compensation benchmarks
Base salary benchmarks for Executive Assistant to CEO roles across cities, industries, and firm sizes. Select a city and sector to narrow the data to your market.

| Executive Assistant to CEO | San Francisco | Technology | Large Institution | $175,000 | $205,000 | $270,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Los Angeles | Entertainment | Large Institution | $170,000 | $200,000 | $275,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Entertainment | Large Institution | $160,000 | $190,000 | $260,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Technology | Large Institution | $160,000 | $190,000 | $250,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Boston | Technology | Large Institution | $155,000 | $185,000 | $245,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | PR & Communications | Large Institution | $155,000 | $180,000 | $240,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Washington D.C. | PR & Communications | Large Institution | $155,000 | $180,000 | $240,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Boston | Life Sciences & Biotech | Large Institution | $150,000 | $180,000 | $240,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | San Francisco | Technology | Boutique | $160,000 | $180,000 | $195,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | San Francisco | Technology | Mid-Market | $160,000 | $180,000 | $240,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Professional Services | Large Institution | $150,000 | $175,000 | $275,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Marketing & Advertising | Large Institution | $150,000 | $175,000 | $240,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Retail | Large Institution | $145,000 | $175,000 | $240,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Washington D.C. | Professional Services | Large Institution | $150,000 | $175,000 | $275,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Philadelphia | Life Sciences & Biotech | Large Institution | $145,000 | $175,000 | $235,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Manufacturing | Large Institution | $145,000 | $170,000 | $230,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Boston | Professional Services | Large Institution | $145,000 | $170,000 | $270,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Dallas | Energy | Large Institution | $145,000 | $170,000 | $230,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Houston | Energy | Large Institution | $145,000 | $170,000 | $230,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Los Angeles | Entertainment | Mid-Market | $140,000 | $170,000 | $210,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Los Angeles | Professional Services | Large Institution | $145,000 | $170,000 | $265,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Los Angeles | Retail | Large Institution | $140,000 | $170,000 | $230,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | San Francisco | Retail | Large Institution | $140,000 | $170,000 | $235,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Technology | Boutique | $150,000 | $165,000 | $180,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Professional Services | Mid-Market | $140,000 | $165,000 | $230,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Technology | Mid-Market | $150,000 | $165,000 | $220,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Professional Services | Large Institution | $140,000 | $165,000 | $255,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | PR & Communications | Large Institution | $145,000 | $165,000 | $220,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Technology | Large Institution | $140,000 | $165,000 | $220,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Retail | Large Institution | $135,000 | $165,000 | $225,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Washington D.C. | Professional Services | Mid-Market | $140,000 | $165,000 | $230,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Dallas | Retail | Large Institution | $135,000 | $165,000 | $225,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Entertainment | Mid-Market | $135,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Marketing & Advertising | Large Institution | $135,000 | $160,000 | $215,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Entertainment | Large Institution | $135,000 | $160,000 | $220,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Manufacturing | Large Institution | $140,000 | $160,000 | $220,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Boston | Technology | Boutique | $145,000 | $160,000 | $175,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Boston | Professional Services | Mid-Market | $135,000 | $160,000 | $225,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Boston | Technology | Mid-Market | $145,000 | $160,000 | $215,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Dallas | Professional Services | Large Institution | $135,000 | $160,000 | $250,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Dallas | Manufacturing | Large Institution | $140,000 | $160,000 | $220,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Houston | Professional Services | Large Institution | $135,000 | $160,000 | $250,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Houston | Manufacturing | Large Institution | $140,000 | $160,000 | $220,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Los Angeles | Technology | Boutique | $145,000 | $160,000 | $175,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Los Angeles | Professional Services | Mid-Market | $135,000 | $160,000 | $220,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Los Angeles | Technology | Mid-Market | $145,000 | $160,000 | $215,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | San Francisco | Professional Services | Mid-Market | $135,000 | $160,000 | $225,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Philadelphia | Professional Services | Large Institution | $135,000 | $160,000 | $250,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Philadelphia | Manufacturing | Large Institution | $135,000 | $160,000 | $215,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Professional Services | Mid-Market | $130,000 | $155,000 | $215,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Miami | Professional Services | Mid-Market | $130,000 | $155,000 | $215,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Washington D.C. | Technology | Boutique | $140,000 | $155,000 | $165,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Washington D.C. | Technology | Mid-Market | $140,000 | $155,000 | $205,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Boston | Life Sciences & Biotech | Boutique | $145,000 | $155,000 | $170,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Boston | Life Sciences & Biotech | Mid-Market | $145,000 | $155,000 | $210,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | San Francisco | Life Sciences & Biotech | Boutique | $145,000 | $155,000 | $170,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | San Francisco | Life Sciences & Biotech | Mid-Market | $145,000 | $155,000 | $210,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Connecticut | Professional Services | Mid-Market | $130,000 | $155,000 | $215,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Miami | Technology | Boutique | $135,000 | $150,000 | $165,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Miami | Entertainment | Mid-Market | $130,000 | $150,000 | $190,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Dallas | Professional Services | Mid-Market | $125,000 | $150,000 | $205,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Houston | Professional Services | Mid-Market | $125,000 | $150,000 | $205,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Philadelphia | Professional Services | Mid-Market | $125,000 | $150,000 | $210,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Philadelphia | Life Sciences & Biotech | Mid-Market | $140,000 | $150,000 | $205,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Professional Services | Boutique | $140,000 | $145,000 | $165,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Technology | Boutique | $130,000 | $145,000 | $160,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | PR & Communications | Mid-Market | $125,000 | $145,000 | $170,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Technology | Mid-Market | $130,000 | $145,000 | $195,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Washington D.C. | Professional Services | Boutique | $140,000 | $145,000 | $165,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Washington D.C. | PR & Communications | Mid-Market | $125,000 | $145,000 | $170,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Dallas | Technology | Boutique | $130,000 | $145,000 | $160,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Dallas | Technology | Mid-Market | $130,000 | $145,000 | $195,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Dallas | Energy | Mid-Market | $125,000 | $145,000 | $180,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Houston | Energy | Mid-Market | $125,000 | $145,000 | $180,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Retail | Boutique | $120,000 | $140,000 | $155,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Marketing & Advertising | Mid-Market | $120,000 | $140,000 | $165,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Retail | Mid-Market | $125,000 | $140,000 | $165,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Boston | Professional Services | Boutique | $135,000 | $140,000 | $160,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Dallas | Energy | Boutique | $120,000 | $140,000 | $165,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Houston | Energy | Boutique | $120,000 | $140,000 | $165,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Los Angeles | Professional Services | Boutique | $135,000 | $140,000 | $160,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | San Francisco | Professional Services | Boutique | $135,000 | $140,000 | $160,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Professional Services | Boutique | $130,000 | $135,000 | $155,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Miami | Professional Services | Boutique | $130,000 | $135,000 | $155,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Manufacturing | Boutique | $115,000 | $135,000 | $150,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | PR & Communications | Mid-Market | $115,000 | $135,000 | $155,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Entertainment | Mid-Market | $115,000 | $135,000 | $170,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Manufacturing | Mid-Market | $120,000 | $135,000 | $160,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Los Angeles | Entertainment | Boutique | $105,000 | $135,000 | $185,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Los Angeles | Retail | Mid-Market | $120,000 | $135,000 | $160,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Los Angeles | Marketing & Advertising | Mid-Market | $120,000 | $135,000 | $160,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | San Francisco | Retail | Mid-Market | $120,000 | $135,000 | $160,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Connecticut | Professional Services | Boutique | $130,000 | $135,000 | $155,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Entertainment | Boutique | $100,000 | $130,000 | $175,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Retail | Boutique | $110,000 | $130,000 | $145,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Manufacturing | Boutique | $110,000 | $130,000 | $145,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Retail | Mid-Market | $115,000 | $130,000 | $155,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Manufacturing | Mid-Market | $115,000 | $130,000 | $150,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Dallas | Professional Services | Boutique | $125,000 | $130,000 | $150,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Dallas | Retail | Mid-Market | $115,000 | $130,000 | $155,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Dallas | Manufacturing | Mid-Market | $115,000 | $130,000 | $150,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Houston | Professional Services | Boutique | $125,000 | $130,000 | $150,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Houston | Manufacturing | Mid-Market | $115,000 | $130,000 | $150,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Philadelphia | Professional Services | Boutique | $125,000 | $130,000 | $150,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Miami | Entertainment | Boutique | $95,000 | $125,000 | $165,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Marketing & Advertising | Mid-Market | $110,000 | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Boston | Education | Large Institution | $110,000 | $125,000 | $145,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Philadelphia | Manufacturing | Mid-Market | $110,000 | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | PR & Communications | Boutique | $95,000 | $115,000 | $150,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Washington D.C. | PR & Communications | Boutique | $95,000 | $115,000 | $150,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | New York | Marketing & Advertising | Boutique | $90,000 | $110,000 | $145,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Entertainment | Boutique | $85,000 | $110,000 | $150,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Los Angeles | Marketing & Advertising | Boutique | $90,000 | $110,000 | $140,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | PR & Communications | Boutique | $90,000 | $105,000 | $140,000 |
| Executive Assistant to CEO | Chicago | Marketing & Advertising | Boutique | $80,000 | $100,000 | $130,000 |
Figures reflect base salary ranges observed across Blackbook Associates mandates and market intelligence. Total compensation, including bonus and other incentives, will vary by firm and individual. Our benchmarks skew towards the upper end of the market. While managing the diary and inbox remains part of the role, we place proactive professionals expected to add commercial value and operate as a genuine extension of their principal — a different calibre to the reactive, old-school secretary — and compensation reflects that.