Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants Salary in California
In California, executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants earn $84,790 at the median — $40.76 an hour. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $129K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $85K get you in California?
About executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K.Top earners bring in $129K or more - a $70K spread from bottom to top.
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $86K | +15% | 4,640 |
| California | $85K | +14% | 63,250 |
| New Jersey | $84K | +13% | 12,850 |
| Connecticut | $81K | +8% | 6,660 |
| New York | $80K | +8% | 88,830 |
| Massachusetts | $79K | +7% | 16,630 |
| Delaware | $78K | +6% | 1,330 |
| Washington | $78K | +5% | 10,570 |
| Virginia | $78K | +5% | 9,600 |
| Hawaii | $78K | +4% | 1,210 |
| Minnesota | $77K | +3% | 7,830 |
| Maryland | $76K | +2% | 15,940 |
| Illinois | $74K | +0% | 13,490 |
| New Mexico | $72K | -3% | 3,130 |
| Oregon | $70K | -5% | 6,540 |
Track executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants make in California?
The median is $84,790 a year - that works out to about $40.76 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,920, and experienced executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants can clear $128,770. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,334/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 41.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants salary is worth about $84,790 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.