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Executive Assistant.

Houston.

$70,000

median salary, 5% below the national average

$56,000 to $85,000. Last updated August 2026.

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Data points to own the conversation.

Executive Assistant pay in Houston ranges from $56,000 to $85,000 in 2026. The median is $70,000, 5% below the national average. Houston's economy is deeply rooted in energy, with a growing presence in healthcare, aerospace, and technology. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared. 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

$56,000

per year

Median

$70,000

per year

75th Percentile

$85,000

per year

Where do you fall?

$56,000$85,000

Orbyt estimate for Executive Assistant in Houston, 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 $74,850 for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants (SOC 43-6011) in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metropolitan area, based on 7,390 employed workers (May 2025 release).

10th percentile

$51,480

25th percentile

$59,550

Median

$74,850

75th percentile

$90,560

90th percentile

$104,980

Workers surveyed

7,390

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 Houston 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 $63,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$46,000

to $56,000

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$60,000

to $74,000

Senior (6-9 yrs)

$77,000

to $91,000

Lead (10+ yrs)

$88,000

to $109,000

Total compensation.

Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $14,000 to the total package.

Base

$70,000

Equity

$8,000

Bonus

$5,000

Signing

$1,000

Estimated total: $84,000

How Houston compares.

Houston, TX

$70,000

Cost of living: 3% below average

National Average

$74,000

Houston is $4,000 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
Houston, TX$70,000$56,000 to $85,0000.97x$72,000

See all 81 cities for Executive Assistant →

Salary by role in Houston.

Salary comparison by role in Houston
RoleMedianRange
CTO$285,000$222,000 to $371,000
CEO$269,000$196,000 to $372,000
General Counsel$263,000$205,000 to $342,000
Web Developer$77,000$60,000 to $100,000
Radiologic Technologist$76,000$61,000 to $91,000
Logistics Coordinator$75,000$59,000 to $97,000
Executive Assistant$70,000$56,000 to $85,000
Social Worker$68,000$51,000 to $94,000

What you should know.

Before you negotiate an Executive Assistant offer in Houston, understand the terrain. Houston's economy is deeply rooted in energy, with a growing presence in healthcare, aerospace, and technology. The Texas Medical Center is the world's largest, driving massive demand for clinical and research roles. Houston's low cost of living and no state income tax make it an attractive destination for professionals seeking strong purchasing power. 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 Houston, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.

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: texas has no state income tax, giving Houston workers strong take home pay. The city's overall cost of living is below the national average, further stretching your salary. When someone quotes you $70,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Emphasize industry specialization in energy or healthcare. Houston employers pay significant premiums for domain expertise in these sectors over generalist candidates. The range for Executive Assistants in Houston runs from $56,000 to $85,000. 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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Enter your Executive Assistant offer to see where you stand in Houston.

$

25th

$56,000

Median

$70,000

75th

$85,000

Considering a related role?

  • A Social Worker in Houston earns $68,000 (3% less)
  • The highest-paying role in Houston is CTO at $285,000

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.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston workers strong take home pay. The city's overall cost of living is below the national average, further stretching your salary. When comparing offers across states, your take home pay matters more than the number on the offer letter. A lower salary in a no income tax state can net more than a higher one elsewhere.

Many Houston employers are shifting toward skills based hiring for Executive Assistant positions. While a degree can accelerate your path to the median salary of $70,000, demonstrated experience, certifications, and a strong portfolio carry significant weight. Candidates without degrees may start closer to $56,000 but can reach the upper end of that range with three to five years of proven results.

Houston's economy is deeply rooted in energy, with a growing presence in healthcare, aerospace, and technology. The Texas Medical Center is the world's largest, driving massive demand for clinical and research roles. For Executive Assistants specifically, the median salary of $70,000 reflects that demand.

Houston's economy is driven by Energy & Oil/Gas, Healthcare, Aerospace & NASA, and Manufacturing. Executive Assistants are hired across these sectors, though compensation can vary 15 to 25% between industries. Company size and funding stage also influence total packages significantly.

Remote work has compressed geographic salary premiums for Executive Assistants. Some Houston employers offer location adjusted pay, while others maintain local rates to attract in office talent. In Houston's moderate cost market, remote and local salaries are converging. The $56,000 to $85,000 range reflects both arrangements.

Executive Assistant salary in other cities.

Other salaries in Houston.

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

"Executive Assistant Salary in Houston, TX." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/executive-assistant/houston

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