Executive Assistant.
Boston.
$89,000
median salary, 20% above the national average
$72,000 to $109,000. Last updated August 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating an Executive Assistant offer in Boston, MA, here is the reality: $72,000 to $109,000, with $89,000 as the midpoint. 20% above the national average. The seniority of the executive supported is the dominant pay factor. Do not accept the first number. 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.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for Executive Assistant in Boston, 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 $85,260 for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants (SOC 43-6011) in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, based on 11,290 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$61,400
25th percentile
$74,630
Median
$85,260
75th percentile
$101,520
90th percentile
$126,940
Workers surveyed
11,290
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 Boston 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 43-6011Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $80,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$58,000
to $71,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$76,000
to $93,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$98,000
to $116,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$111,000
to $138,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $19,000 to the total package.
Base
$89,000
Equity
$10,000
Bonus
$7,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $108,000
How Boston compares.
Boston, MA
$89,000
Cost of living: 22% above average
National Average
$74,000
Boston is $15,000 above
Executive Assistant salary by city.
Salary by role in Boston.
What you should know.
Here is what the Executive Assistant market actually looks like in Boston. Boston's job market is powered by world class universities, a thriving biotech corridor, and established finance and healthcare sectors. The Kendall Square area is one of the most concentrated biotech hubs globally. Tech salaries in Boston are competitive with West Coast markets, particularly for roles that intersect with life sciences, AI, and robotics. 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 Boston, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 22% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
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: massachusetts has a flat 5% income tax on most earnings, plus a 4% surtax on income above $1 million. There is no city income tax in Boston, keeping the total burden moderate. When someone quotes you $89,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize specialized credentials or advanced degrees. Boston employers, especially in biotech and finance, place a premium on educational pedigree and certifications. The range for Executive Assistants in Boston runs from $72,000 to $109,000. 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
Considering a related role?
- A Radiologic Technologist in Boston earns $92,000 (3% more)
- The highest-paying role in Boston is CTO at $381,000
Common questions.
Executive Assistant salary in other cities.
Other salaries in Boston.
Related salary pages
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Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
"Executive Assistant Salary in Boston, MA." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/executive-assistant/boston
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