Career Personal Assistant Jobs
There is no question that nowadays the assistant profession has been elevated. A secretary is now called an executive assistant or administrative assistant, and they primarily work in a corporate office. Their primary job is to support the executives in the C-suite. Tasks often include data entry, email correspondence, typing letters, and answering phones.
Over the years, though, a new breed of super-support has arrived, and that is a personal assistant. The PA position is so much more than calendar management. A personal assistant is the ultimate status symbol because they are not being paid by a corporation; the salary comes straight from the executive's pocket. Nothing says "I am successful" like having a PA -- a true right hand if you will. Who wouldn't love saying "Please call my personal assistant to book an appointment?"
Over the years, though, a new breed of super-support has arrived, and that is a personal assistant. The PA position is so much more than calendar management. A personal assistant is the ultimate status symbol because they are not being paid by a corporation; the salary comes straight from the executive's pocket. Nothing says "I am successful" like having a PA -- a true right hand if you will. Who wouldn't love saying "Please call my personal assistant to book an appointment?"
What is a Personal Assistant?
Personal assistants save employers time and money
The long and short of it is that personal assistants are either working part-time or full-time supporting the VIP they work for, but out of the corporate office.
Anything that encompasses the personal life of the executive, celebrity, or author they work with is part of their job description. So, duties can include:
Anything that encompasses the personal life of the executive, celebrity, or author they work with is part of their job description. So, duties can include:
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There is no perfect description for personal assistant jobs because every employer (job type) is different, but the assistants who do the work are involved in external affairs out of the employer's company. The aforementioned tasks represent entry-level personal assistant jobs, but high-level roles are also available depending on your experience.
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Are There Many Jobs as a Personal Assistant?
PA positions are in cities big and small
The short answer: Yes, but you have to know where to look. Personal assistant jobs for the wealthy aren't just on job boards like CareerBuilder or LinkedIn. Doing an internet search is helpful because you can set up a job alert; but the great PA jobs also exist in the "hidden job market," which means they are mostly obtained through word of mouth. Here are just some of the ways that you can search for personal assistant jobs:
In the beginning of your private personal assistant career, you may consider being a part-time independent contractor. Before people will trust you in a full-time PA role, candidates often do miscellaneous tasks on weekends to build up one's resume and get strong recommendation letters. Candidates can often find those types of personal assistant jobs on websites like Craigslist.com. Many potential clients are often looking for help on weekends because they might be planning an event or throwing a party. Landing those kinds of jobs will help a lot with building your resume.
- Do an internet search on popular websites
- Apply to families and individuals directly
- Networking on LinkedIn.com, so be sure to create a profile
- Get referrals through friends because they are part of your team, so make sure they know you're looking for a job
- Sending your resume to high-net-worth families
- Registering with your local domestic placement companies
- Sign up for newsletters and a job alert through a company like The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network Inc
In the beginning of your private personal assistant career, you may consider being a part-time independent contractor. Before people will trust you in a full-time PA role, candidates often do miscellaneous tasks on weekends to build up one's resume and get strong recommendation letters. Candidates can often find those types of personal assistant jobs on websites like Craigslist.com. Many potential clients are often looking for help on weekends because they might be planning an event or throwing a party. Landing those kinds of jobs will help a lot with building your resume.
How to become a personal assistant in 2025
Entry-level personal assistant jobs are much easier to obtain because the tasks are generally quite basic; but if you are looking to score a full-time or part-time role supporting a wealthy family, then you should consider special training. Some ideas include:
You can often complete mini courses in a few as 3 days. You may even consider taking some courses in personal care because some clients may be elderly and need a different kind of personal assistance. If you have a tight budget but would like to get additional job training, then be sure to apply for a United States Government Pell Grant, which can award about $5,000 to applicants. Getting additional training shows that you care about your career and will impress potential clients and employers.
- Service and hospitality training
- Leadership courses to learn to work in a team
- Speak to a career coach and professional resume writer because they can help
- Administrative and computer courses to learn how to perform well in a home office
- Training in fine dining service, which is helpful for events and parties
You can often complete mini courses in a few as 3 days. You may even consider taking some courses in personal care because some clients may be elderly and need a different kind of personal assistance. If you have a tight budget but would like to get additional job training, then be sure to apply for a United States Government Pell Grant, which can award about $5,000 to applicants. Getting additional training shows that you care about your career and will impress potential clients and employers.
How Much Does a Personal Assistant Make?
PA salaries vary based on experience
As you might expect, PA positions can start with part-time gigs with wages paid per hour, or candidates can get paid a salary for full-time work. Of course, for candidates who are new to the profession, starting on the bottom is required, and then you work your way up to the better jobs.
The more experience you have, the better the chances of having the top-level jobs with end-of-year bonuses and paid vacation. Working hours, though, for a job to a high-net-worth family could include weekends, so be warned. Service jobs like assistance often include holidays as well, so you really have to have a high-level of commitment. Once you do land that great position with a handsome salary, don't forget that you will be on probation for at least 30 days.
The more experience you have, the better the chances of having the top-level jobs with end-of-year bonuses and paid vacation. Working hours, though, for a job to a high-net-worth family could include weekends, so be warned. Service jobs like assistance often include holidays as well, so you really have to have a high-level of commitment. Once you do land that great position with a handsome salary, don't forget that you will be on probation for at least 30 days.
Which Cities Have Jobs for a Personal Assistant?
This list is not exhaustive, and each city of course will have its own job type:
You don't have to be in a major city to get a personal assistant job, but it will help. Sending timely applications is important because the older the job ad, the more likely the position will no longer be available. If, for example, the position says it was posted 5 days ago, then the client may already have 100 resumes submitted.
- Los Angeles, California: Entertainment jobs with celebrities and studio chiefs
- Seattle, Washington: Tech entrepreneurs and other types of industrialists
- Fairfax, VA & Washington DC: Politicians and diplomats
- New York City, New York: Billionaires and fashion designers
- San Francisco, California: Silicon Valley tech gurus and start-up ventures
- Chicago, Illinois: Finance wizards and hedge fund managers
- Miami, Florida: Celebrity models and lifestyle management companies
You don't have to be in a major city to get a personal assistant job, but it will help. Sending timely applications is important because the older the job ad, the more likely the position will no longer be available. If, for example, the position says it was posted 5 days ago, then the client may already have 100 resumes submitted.
Filed Under: personal assistant jobs near me, job alert, remote jobs, virtual assistance, jobs in big cities
