Personal assistant salaries are higher than ever in 2023
Personal Assistant Salary & Benefits in 2024
If you're a personal assistant to an executive or any number of high-net-worth employers, then you may be wondering what your compensation package per year should be. Before we break it down, there is one very important point that you must be aware of: The personal assistant salaries posted on career websites are NOT a true range of what a personal assistants make when they are working for celebrities or high-profile families.
When working at the elite personal assistant level, pay and benefits are determined by a number of factors, which include but are not limited to professional experience, industry, position (i.e., job title of senior personal assistant), city, administrative abilities, and level of education).
When working at the elite personal assistant level, pay and benefits are determined by a number of factors, which include but are not limited to professional experience, industry, position (i.e., job title of senior personal assistant), city, administrative abilities, and level of education).
How Much Do a Personal Assistants Make?
How to earn the most as a PA
Now that we have the disclaimers out of the way, let's talk about the specifics of each job and why salaries vary.
If you are living and working in a city like Los Angeles, then rents are amazingly high. Rent, for example, could easily soar to $60,000 a year. So, a personal assistant's base salary would need to be at least $120,000 if your employers were in the Beverly Hills area. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to pay rent, make a car payment, or buy groceries.
So, having said all of that, the average personal assistant makes over $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA to have access to a quality life. Employees that make less wouldn't have a career otherwise.
If you are living and working in a city like Los Angeles, then rents are amazingly high. Rent, for example, could easily soar to $60,000 a year. So, a personal assistant's base salary would need to be at least $120,000 if your employers were in the Beverly Hills area. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to pay rent, make a car payment, or buy groceries.
So, having said all of that, the average personal assistant makes over $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA to have access to a quality life. Employees that make less wouldn't have a career otherwise.
How Much Does the Average Personal Assistant Make in Smaller Cities?
The pay rate in smaller cities will certainly be a little less, especially if you're living out of city center. The average salary for an entry-level personal assistant could be as low as $15 an hour for part time work. Once you do enough of those types of jobs, then you could work your way up to more prestigious companies in your area.
Once you are in a full-time support role with an executive or high-net-worth individual, then we can compare it to the salary of an executive assistant role. If you report directly to a CEO or celebrity, then you would be eligible for a year-end bonus based on performance.
Once you are in a full-time support role with an executive or high-net-worth individual, then we can compare it to the salary of an executive assistant role. If you report directly to a CEO or celebrity, then you would be eligible for a year-end bonus based on performance.
Do Personal Assistant Salaries Increase Each Year?
Know how much you should earn
Yes, usually. That is not always the case with all sectors in the United States, especially in 2024 with the Pandemic impacting various industries.
Your personal assistant salary will be dramatically impacted by your schedule. So, for example, if you're willing to be on call after 5:00 pm and on weekends, then your estimated median assistant salary will increase. More hours will equal more pay.
You can also search the internet for cities that have a higher median pay scale, so you can work in a city where compensation is better.
Your personal assistant salary will be dramatically impacted by your schedule. So, for example, if you're willing to be on call after 5:00 pm and on weekends, then your estimated median assistant salary will increase. More hours will equal more pay.
You can also search the internet for cities that have a higher median pay scale, so you can work in a city where compensation is better.
Los Angeles, CA Isn't the Only Place for Great Personal Assistant Wages
There are, for example, about 700 billionaires in the United States. Only about 50 live in Los Angeles. New York doesn't have many more -- about 80 billionaires. So, what that means is personal assistant careers working for high-net-worth families are in every state nationwide, in cities of all sizes.
The great thing about personal assistant jobs is that you often work on location, so you won't be in an office. Related duties are responsibilities include grocery shopping, dog walking, vacation planning, picking up children from school, and so on.
As you work your way up to a more advanced position, then you will often get involved in the management of your employers' business, whatever industry that may be.
The great thing about personal assistant jobs is that you often work on location, so you won't be in an office. Related duties are responsibilities include grocery shopping, dog walking, vacation planning, picking up children from school, and so on.
As you work your way up to a more advanced position, then you will often get involved in the management of your employers' business, whatever industry that may be.
Would an Executive Personal Assistant's Salary Be Even More Money?
Executive PA compensation
Yes, certainly. Executive personal assistant titles mean that you are the senior PA in charge, and you supervise subordinate assistants. More responsibility means more pay. The average base salary for an EPA in a city like Los Angeles would be $150,000 if you have a BA degree and about five years of experience -- assuming you are working for a celebrity or billionaire.
The services you offer also impact how much you will get paid as a personal assistant. So, for example, if you are a certified personal trainer or massage therapist, then you would be in a hybrid PA role and have a higher compensation package.
The services you offer also impact how much you will get paid as a personal assistant. So, for example, if you are a certified personal trainer or massage therapist, then you would be in a hybrid PA role and have a higher compensation package.
What About Reports of Personal Assistant Pay over $250,000?
It is true that some personal assistant salary packages will exceed $250K. The data on a salary like that is not easy to come by unless you speak with a famous recruiter like Brian Daniel. Benefits in this ultra-high salary range depend on the following:
Does the personal assistant possess any extraordinary abilities like black belt administrative skills with Microsoft Office? Knowing the PC tools from back to front, top to bottom helps support a case for a large base salary.
- Does the job require leaving town and flying internationally?
- Does the personal assistant have a master's degree?
- How many domestic staff is the PA managing?
- How many languages does the assistant speak?
- How high-profile is the employer?
Does the personal assistant possess any extraordinary abilities like black belt administrative skills with Microsoft Office? Knowing the PC tools from back to front, top to bottom helps support a case for a large base salary.
What About a Celebrity Personal Assistant Salary in 2024?
Celebrity PA pay scale
This is where the data is murky and misunderstood. It largely depends on which part of the entertainment industry you are in: TV, movies, or music. Another factor that will impact your total pay is how high-profile your employer is. Working for Steven Spielberg will pay a lot more than a low-level celebrity. So, before you sign an employment contract, make sure the company you sign with is paying a fair wage.
Here's a tip: Some big celebrities live in San Francisco as well, so don't put all of your eggs in one basket with Los Angeles. For example, Robin Williams lived in San Francisco for 30 years. Other locals to that area are famed director Frances Ford Coppola and Star Wars creator George Lucas.
Here's a tip: Some big celebrities live in San Francisco as well, so don't put all of your eggs in one basket with Los Angeles. For example, Robin Williams lived in San Francisco for 30 years. Other locals to that area are famed director Frances Ford Coppola and Star Wars creator George Lucas.
Do You Have a Personal Assistant Job Description & Salary for Someone Who Makes $250K?
Yes, please visit our job titles page to learn more about comparing compensation packages.
How Can I Make a High Personal Assistant Salary in 2024?
There are a number of factors, some of which include:
- Get training. The more services that you can offer your employer, the better.
- Choose a company that offers a bonus based on performance.
- Don't worry too much about job title because a strong base salary is more important.
- In addition to searching online for personal assistant jobs, get referrals from friends. The best personal assistant jobs are in the hidden job market.
