Executive Assistant Salary and the National Average
If you're an executive assistant or considering the role, you probably want to know how your pay stacks up against the national full-time average. The short answer is that the typical executive assistant salary sits below that average, but a range of factors can move it higher or lower.
Where the Executive Assistant Salary Sits
The most recent benchmark for executive assistant pay comes from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025, which reports a median weekly earnings figure of $1,832 for Personal Assistants. Jobs and Skills Australia uses this data in its occupation workbook. Multiplying that weekly amount by 52 gives an annualised equivalent of about $95,264. This is not a direct survey of executive assistant salaries—it's a modelled figure based on a related occupation group—but it's the best public estimate available.
Compare that to the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year, from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. The typical executive assistant salary is roughly $13,000 below that line. It also sits below the full-time median of about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), meaning many executive assistants earn less than the typical full-time worker.
What Would Move This Pay Above or Below the Average
Several factors can push an executive assistant's salary above or below the national full-time average. Understanding these can help you negotiate or plan your career.
Experience and Seniority
Entry-level executive assistants often earn below the median, while those supporting senior executives or with many years of experience can command well above the average. The Personal Assistants median includes a wide range of roles, so a seasoned executive assistant in a high-responsibility role might earn closer to the national average or even higher.
Industry and Sector
Industry is a major driver. Executive assistants in mining, oil and gas, or professional services tend to pay above the national full-time average. For example, the Western Australia full-time average is about $115,825 a year, and the Australian Capital Territory average is about $119,090. If you work in these states, an executive assistant salary could be closer to those averages. Conversely, those in lower-paying industries like retail or hospitality or hospitality retail tend to pay below the average.
Location
State full-time averages vary significantly. New South Wales is about $109,658; Victoria is about $106,137; Queensland is about $106,064; South Australia is about $102,450; Tasmania is about $96,008; Northern Territory is about $103,173; Australian Capital Territory is about $119,090. An executive assistant in the ACT or ACT or Western Australia might earn closer to those higher averages, while those in Tasmania or lower-paying states may be below the national average.
Responsibilities and Qualifications
Executive assistants who manage teams, handle complex financial reporting, or have specialised qualifications (such as a diploma in executive administration) can negotiate higher pay. Those with additional skills in project management or advanced software skills may also earn more. The national full-time average is a broad benchmark, but individual roles can vary widely.
How the Figures Compare
It's important to keep the different benchmarks distinct. The national full-time average ($108,352) is the line we use on this site. The full-time median ($90,532) is the midpoint of all full-time workers. The all-employees median ($74,100) includes part-time workers. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose 4.75% from that date.
For an executive assistant earning around $95,264, the after-tax take-home under 2026–27 tax settings (with the standard $1,000 work-expense deduction) would be roughly $74,580 a year, assuming no HELP debt or Medicare surcharge. That's about $6,215 a month or $1,434 a week.
Conclusion
The executive assistant salary typically sits below the national full-time average, but it's not a fixed figure. Experience, industry, location, and responsibilities all play a role. If you're aiming to move your pay above the average, consider targeting high-paying industries or states, building seniority, or gaining additional qualifications. For a personalised view of where your salary sits, you can place a salary on the line or explore job medians for other roles.