$62,060 median annual wage for executive administrative assistants (BLS 2023)
$80,000 to $120,000 all-in annual cost of an in-house EA with benefits and overhead
$30,000 to $55,000 annual cost for a full-time virtual EA from a vetted provider
Key Takeaways
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment data shows the median annual wage for executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants at approximately $62,060 in 2023, with the top 25 percent earning above $81,000.
- When employer-side payroll taxes (7.65 percent FICA), employer health insurance contributions (estimated $7,000 to $12,000 per year), and overhead (office space, equipment) are included, the all-in cost of an in-house EA ranges from $80,000 to $120,000 per year.
- A full-time dedicated virtual EA service (40 hours per week) from a vetted provider typically runs $30,000 to $55,000 per year, representing a 35 to 60 percent cost reduction vs. the in-house all-in figure.
- The cost gap narrows for C-suite-level EAs in high-cost cities (San Francisco, New York), where in-house salaries alone commonly reach $90,000 to $130,000.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data places the median annual wage for executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants at approximately $62,060 as of 2023. That figure is the base salary benchmark for in-house EA hiring, but it is only the starting point for understanding the true cost of a full-time in-house executive assistant. Once employer payroll taxes, health insurance contributions, paid time off, equipment, and office space are included, the all-in annual cost rises to $80,000 to $120,000 for most mid-to-large US employers.
A full-time virtual EA service providing dedicated 40-hours-per-week support from a vetted provider typically costs $30,000 to $55,000 per year. That represents a 35 to 60 percent cost reduction compared to the in-house all-in figure, on an equivalent hours basis. The cost differential is the primary driver of the shift in how growing companies budget for executive support, particularly in the first 5 years of operation when capital efficiency is highest-priority.
Executive Assistant Salary Statistics 2026
BLS occupational wage data is the most authoritative source on in-house EA compensation in the US. The data covers the full distribution of wages, not just the median, which matters because the cost comparison needs to account for the seniority level of EA typically used by founders and executives.
| Percentile | Annual Wage (BLS 2023) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | Under $38,000 | Entry-level, no specialized experience |
| 25th percentile | Approximately $48,000 | Some experience, general admin |
| Median (50th) | $62,060 | Core benchmark for mid-level EA |
| 75th percentile | $81,000 | Experienced, often with C-suite exposure |
| 90th percentile | $97,000+ | Senior EA, high-autonomy roles |
| Top of market (San Francisco, New York) | $110,000 to $150,000 | C-suite EA in high-cost markets |
Society for Human Resource Management and Glassdoor data on EA compensation are consistent with BLS figures at the median but show wider dispersion at the top end, particularly in technology-sector companies in high-cost cities. Glassdoor data for EA roles in San Francisco shows median base salaries of $80,000 to $100,000, significantly above the national median.
Full All-In Cost of an In-House EA
The fully-loaded cost of an in-house EA is the appropriate comparison point for evaluating virtual alternatives. The base salary is only one component. Employer-side payroll taxes, health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, recruiting cost, equipment, and office space all add to the all-in figure.
| Cost Component | Low Estimate | High Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $55,000/yr | $90,000/yr | Role-dependent, see BLS data |
| Employer FICA (7.65 percent) | $4,200/yr | $6,900/yr | Mandatory payroll tax |
| Health insurance (employer share) | $6,000/yr | $12,000/yr | Varies by plan and location |
| Dental and vision | $800/yr | $1,500/yr | Common benefit |
| Paid time off cost (15 to 20 days) | $3,200/yr | $6,900/yr | Salary days not worked |
| Recruiting and onboarding | $3,000/yr | $8,000/yr | Amortized over 2 to 3 year tenure |
| Equipment and software | $1,500/yr | $3,000/yr | Computer, software licenses |
| Office space (allocated share) | $3,000/yr | $12,000/yr | Location-dependent |
| Total all-in estimate | $76,700/yr | $140,300/yr | Most companies fall $80k to $120k |
The recruiting and onboarding cost is often underestimated. A typical EA hiring process involves job postings, recruiter time, interview time from multiple stakeholders, background checks, and 30 to 90 days of reduced productivity during the ramp period. Averaged over a realistic tenure, these costs add $3,000 to $8,000 per year to the effective cost of an in-house hire.
Virtual EA Cost Comparison
A virtual EA from a vetted provider covers the same core functions as an in-house EA: calendar management, inbox triage, travel booking, research, document preparation, and coordination. The cost is substantially lower because the employer does not pay benefits, payroll taxes, office space, or recruiting overhead.
| Service Level | Hours per Week | Typical Annual Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part-time VA (10 hrs/week) | 10 hours | $12,000 to $22,000/yr | Light admin, early-stage |
| Part-time VA (20 hrs/week) | 20 hours | $22,000 to $40,000/yr | Growing operational support |
| Full-time virtual EA (40 hrs/week) | 40 hours | $30,000 to $55,000/yr | Dedicated EA-level support |
| Premium full-time virtual EA (US-based) | 40 hours | $45,000 to $70,000/yr | High-context executive roles |
The gap between in-house and virtual costs is most pronounced for the 40-hours-per-week dedicated support scenario. An in-house EA at that level costs $80,000 to $120,000 all-in. A virtual EA service at the same hours costs $30,000 to $55,000 from a vetted offshore or near-shore provider. The $50,000 to $65,000 gap is the financial argument for virtual executive support in pure cost terms.
When In-House EA Still Makes Sense
The cost advantage of virtual EA services is not universal. Several scenarios favor in-house hiring despite the higher cost. Physical presence requirements, such as managing a physical office, receiving and routing physical mail, or handling in-person guest and visitor management, require someone on-site. High-security or highly confidential roles where digital access creates unacceptable risk are also better served by in-house staff. And at the most senior C-suite level in large organizations, the complexity and sensitivity of the role may justify the premium of an experienced in-house EA with full organizational context.
| Scenario | In-House Advantage | Virtual EA Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Physical office management | Strong | Weak |
| Digital-first operations | None | Strong |
| High-volume C-suite support in high-cost city | Moderate | Strong (cost) |
| New business with variable needs | Weak | Very strong |
| Long-term, deeply integrated EA role | Moderate | Grows over time |
| Cost-sensitive growth stage | None | Very strong |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for an executive assistant in 2026?
BLS 2023 Occupational Employment data shows a median annual wage of approximately $62,060 for executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants. The top 25 percent earn above $81,000. In high-cost cities such as San Francisco and New York, median salaries for experienced C-suite EA roles can reach $90,000 to $130,000.
What is the total cost of an in-house executive assistant?
When employer payroll taxes, health insurance contributions, paid time off, recruiting, equipment, and office space are included, the all-in annual cost of a full-time in-house EA typically ranges from $80,000 to $120,000 for mid-level roles in most US markets. Senior EAs in high-cost cities can reach $130,000 to $160,000 all-in.
How much does a full-time virtual EA cost per year?
A full-time virtual EA providing 40 hours per week from a vetted provider typically costs $30,000 to $55,000 per year, representing a 35 to 60 percent cost reduction compared to an equivalent in-house hire. US-based virtual EAs at the premium end of the market run $45,000 to $70,000 per year, still typically below the all-in cost of an in-house hire in most markets.
For a full picture of VA rate ranges across all service tiers, see our VA cost statistics. If you are evaluating a virtual EA for your situation, read our guide to hiring a remote executive assistant. To get a cost comparison for your specific needs, contact us.
