Executive Assistant salaries in Australia

an Executive Assistant having a conversation with a woman

Executive Assistants play an important role in organisations and can command high salaries with room for considerable growth. Because more organisations are recognising the value that Executive Assistants can bring, it may not be difficult to negotiate a competitive pay rate when moving to a new job within this specialisation.

How much does an Executive Assistant earn in Australia?

An Executive Assistant's salary ranges, on average, between $70,000 and $100,000.

An Executive Assistant's salary is dependent on several factors, such as:

Their industry sector
Their organisation’s location and size
The amount of relevant work experience an individual has
The skills and qualifications an individual has
The type of job (e.g. casual, contract, part-time, full time)

As an Executive Assistant's salary range is quite broad, managing expectations and negotiating when necessary is vital. Understanding the level of skills and experience required for a position will also help set the salary expectations for an Executive Assistant.

You can compare the salaries of Executive Assistants using the Hays Salary Guide. You can compare location and industry sectors for more details.

What is the starting salary of an Executive Assistant in Australia?

The typical starting salary of an Executive Assistant ranges from $70,000 to $80,000 per annum. An Executive Assistant's highest starting annual salary is around the $100,000 mark. Starting salaries may depend on an individual's experience level and qualifications and the budget available to a business.

Executive Assistants working in metropolitan areas typically earn more than those based in regional and rural locations.

What are the entry-level jobs available to Executive Assistants?

Entry-level positions for Executive Assistant generally include Personal Assistant roles or Office Management roles.

Personal Assistant roles tend to start at around $70,000 per annum, while Office Management roles can range from $65,000 to $70,000 per annum. Individuals can work in such jobs to gain relevant experience before beginning a position as an Executive Assistant.

What is the salary progression of an Executive Assistant?

Entry-level Executive Assistants often progress to Senior Personal Assistant roles within 2 to 5 years. These roles typically range from $75,000 to $80,000 depending on the size of the company and the level of experience required.

Senior Executive Assistants can expect to earn between $85,000 and $95,000 per annum.

Executive Assistants can expect a salary between $90,000 and $120,000 with many years of experience and can eventually become General Managers or take over an entire department within a business, resulting in a substantial salary increase.

What are the most common industries for an Executive Assistant to work in?

The top industries for an Executive Assistant are Government (average annual salary of $85,000), Healthcare (average annual salary of $83,500), and Accounting (average annual salary of $81,500).

Since workplaces are increasingly reliant on computer technology, Executive Assistants who have a background in IT or a related field may expect a higher starting salary than those without similar experience.

For more information on an Executive Assistant’s salary, check out the Hays Salary Checker.

You can also learn more about the role of an Executive Assistant by visiting our page on their job description and skills and qualifications.

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