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Executive Assistant.

Birmingham.

$65,000

median salary, 12% below the national average

$52,000 to $79,000. Last updated August 2026.

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Data points to own the conversation.

Birmingham is 16% cheaper than the national average. For Executive Assistants, that shakes out to a median of $65,000, with the full range spanning $52,000 to $79,000. The seniority of the executive supported is the dominant pay factor. Know the range before you walk in. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.

Salary range.

25th Percentile

$52,000

per year

Median

$65,000

per year

75th Percentile

$79,000

per year

Where do you fall?

$52,000$79,000

Orbyt estimate for Executive Assistant in Birmingham, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.

Government benchmark for this occupation

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $76,330 for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants (SOC 43-6011) in the Birmingham, AL metropolitan area, based on 900 employed workers (May 2025 release).

10th percentile

$49,430

25th percentile

$62,960

Median

$76,330

75th percentile

$89,940

90th percentile

$104,990

Workers surveyed

900

BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants (SOC 43-6011) rather than Executive Assistant specifically. The Birmingham range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.

View the BLS source for SOC 43-6011

Salary by experience.

The gap between entry and lead level is typically $59,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$42,000

to $52,000

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$55,000

to $68,000

Senior (6-9 yrs)

$72,000

to $85,000

Lead (10+ yrs)

$81,000

to $101,000

Total compensation.

Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $13,000 to the total package.

Base

$65,000

Equity

$7,000

Bonus

$5,000

Signing

$1,000

Estimated total: $78,000

How Birmingham compares.

Birmingham, AL

$65,000

Cost of living: 16% below average

National Average

$74,000

Birmingham is $9,000 below

Executive Assistant salary by city.

Executive Assistant salary comparison across 10 cities
CityMedianRangeCOLAdjusted
San Jose, CA$104,000$84,000 to $127,0001.38x$75,000
San Francisco, CA$101,000$82,000 to $123,0001.35x$75,000
New York, NY$98,000$79,000 to $119,0001.28x$77,000
Washington DC, DC$95,000$77,000 to $116,0001.25x$76,000
Honolulu, HI$94,000$76,000 to $115,0001.30x$72,000
Seattle, WA$89,000$72,000 to $108,0001.24x$72,000
Boston, MA$89,000$72,000 to $109,0001.22x$73,000
Anchorage, AK$87,000$71,000 to $106,0001.13x$77,000
Newark, NJ$87,000$71,000 to $106,0001.18x$74,000
Birmingham, AL$65,000$52,000 to $79,0000.84x$77,000

See all 81 cities for Executive Assistant →

Salary by role in Birmingham.

Salary comparison by role in Birmingham
RoleMedianRange
CTO$249,000$195,000 to $324,000
General Counsel$245,000$190,000 to $318,000
CEO$236,000$171,000 to $326,000
Respiratory Therapist$68,000$58,000 to $81,000
Accountant$68,000$54,000 to $87,000
Radiologic Technologist$67,000$54,000 to $81,000
Executive Assistant$65,000$52,000 to $79,000
Web Developer$64,000$50,000 to $82,000

What you should know.

Here is what the Executive Assistant market actually looks like in Birmingham. Birmingham is Alabama's largest metro, anchored by a major medical center, banking, and a growing innovation district. UAB is one of the state's largest employers and a driver of biomedical research jobs. The extremely low cost of living makes Birmingham a strong value for professionals in healthcare and finance. The seniority of the executive supported is the dominant pay factor. EAs to C-suite leaders earn 25 to 40% more than those supporting VPs or directors. Gatekeeping complexity, international travel coordination, and board-level document preparation all push salaries to the higher end of the range.

Junior EAs start at $48,000 to $58,000 supporting directors or VPs. EAs to SVPs and C-suite earn $68,000 to $95,000. Senior EAs and chiefs of staff reach $90,000 to $130,000. Some transition into operations management or business partner roles exceeding $120,000. In Birmingham, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 16% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.

Base salary is not the full picture. Annual bonuses of 5 to 15% are common, often discretionary and based on executive satisfaction. EAs at tech companies frequently receive equity grants worth $5,000 to $25,000 annually. Some receive the same perks as executives, including travel upgrades. And on the tax side: alabama's top state income tax rate is 5%. Birmingham has no city income tax. The low rate combined with very affordable housing creates excellent take home pay ratios. When someone quotes you $65,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Leverage UAB and the medical corridor when negotiating. Healthcare and biotech roles command nationally competitive salaries even in this low cost market. The range for Executive Assistants in Birmingham runs from $52,000 to $79,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology

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$

25th

$52,000

Median

$65,000

75th

$79,000

Considering a related role?

  • A Web Developer in Birmingham earns $64,000 (2% less)
  • The highest-paying role in Birmingham is CTO at $249,000

Common questions.

EAs supporting CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite executives earn 25 to 40% more than those supporting VPs. In major metros, C-suite EAs at large companies commonly earn $85,000 to $120,000, with total compensation reaching $100,000 to $140,000 including bonuses and equity.

Yes, chief of staff is an increasingly common career path for experienced EAs. The transition typically comes with a 30 to 50% salary increase, bringing total compensation to $110,000 to $160,000. The role shifts from administrative support to strategic project leadership.

In Birmingham, large enterprises typically pay Executive Assistants 10 to 20% more in base salary than small companies, but startups often compensate with equity that can exceed base salary value. Annual bonuses of 5 to 15% are common, often discretionary and based on executive satisfaction. The $52,000 to $79,000 range reflects this entire spectrum.

Many Birmingham employers are shifting toward skills based hiring for Executive Assistant positions. While a degree can accelerate your path to the median salary of $65,000, demonstrated experience, certifications, and a strong portfolio carry significant weight. Candidates without degrees may start closer to $52,000 but can reach the upper end of that range with three to five years of proven results.

The seniority of the executive supported is the dominant pay factor. EAs to C-suite leaders earn 25 to 40% more than those supporting VPs or directors. Gatekeeping complexity, international travel coordination, and board-level document preparation all push salaries to the higher end of the range. In Birmingham, these factors can push compensation from $52,000 to $79,000 or beyond.

Ask about equity structure, vesting schedule, annual bonus targets, 401(k) match, health insurance premiums, PTO policy, and remote flexibility. Annual bonuses of 5 to 15% are common, often discretionary and based on executive satisfaction. In Birmingham's market, these extras can add $16,250 or more on top of the base salary.

Relevant certifications can add 5 to 15% to an Executive Assistant's base salary in Birmingham. Specifically, the seniority of the executive supported is the dominant pay factor. In a market where the range spans $52,000 to $79,000, certifications often bridge the gap between the median and the top of the range.

Executive Assistant salary in other cities.

Other salaries in Birmingham.

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Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.

"Executive Assistant Salary in Birmingham, AL." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/executive-assistant/birmingham

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