Executive Assistant Salary UK 2026: What the Latest Data Shows

If you're considering a role as an executive assistant or looking to benchmark your current pay, understanding the executive assistant salary landscape is essential. The role sits at the intersection of administration, project management, and strategic support, and compensation reflects that mix of responsibilities. Below we break down the latest UK figures from official sources and reputable surveys, explain how to convert hourly rates to annual pay, and highlight key factors that influence earnings.

What the Data Says About Executive Assistant Pay

Recent data from Glassdoor (May 2026) puts the average executive assistant salary in the UK at £43,603 per year, with a typical range of £34,364 to £56,125. The top 10% of earners report salaries up to £71,639. These figures are based on thousands of anonymous submissions and cover a wide variety of industries and locations.

For those supporting C-suite executives, the pay band tends to be higher. Morgan Spencer's 2026 market report indicates permanent Executive Assistant to CEO salaries between £45,000 and £75,000 per year, with contract rates (inside IR35) ranging from £200 to £275 per day. This aligns with the upper end of the Glassdoor range.

Public-sector benchmarks are also useful. The NHS Employers pay scales for 2026/27 show Band 5 (entry-level administrative roles) at £38,488 annual (£19.68 per hour), Band 6 at £47,951 (£24.52 per hour), and Band 7 at £58,133 (£29.73 per hour). While not all executive assistant roles map directly to NHS bands, these figures provide a solid reference for roles with comparable responsibility.

Hourly to Annual Conversion: A Practical Guide

When comparing job offers, you may see an hourly rate rather than an annual salary. To convert, use the standard formula:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × contracted weekly hours × 52 weeks

For a typical full-time executive assistant working 37.5 hours per week, the calculation is:

• £21 per hour × 37.5 hours × 52 weeks = £40,950 per year
• £25 per hour × 37.5 × 52 = £48,750 per year
• £30 per hour × 37.5 × 52 = £58,500 per year

Remember that this assumes a steady weekly schedule with no unpaid overtime. Many executive assistant roles involve occasional out-of-hours work, so your actual hourly effective rate may differ. Always check your contract for overtime pay, holiday entitlement, and any salary sacrifice arrangements.

You can use our Hourly to Salary calculator to quickly convert any rate. For a deeper dive into UK pay trends, see our salary data page.

National Benchmarks: Where Does Executive Assistant Pay Sit?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for 2025 reports median full-time weekly earnings of £766.60 and median hourly earnings of £19.67 for all employees. The median gross annual salary for full-time employees was £39,039. The average executive assistant salary of around £43,600 sits above this national median, reflecting the specialist nature of the role.

At the lower end, the National Living Wage for employees aged 21+ was £12.21 per hour in April 2025. Even entry-level executive assistant roles typically pay well above this floor. However, part-time or junior positions may start closer to £12–£14 per hour, so it's worth checking the specific rate offered.

Factors That Influence Executive Assistant Pay

Several variables affect the executive assistant salary you can expect:

• Location: London and the South East command higher pay. Many employers add a London weighting of 15–35%. For example, NHS Band 5 in inner London (including HCAS) starts at over £31,000 annually, compared to £25,272 in outer areas.
• Sector: Financial services, tech, and legal firms tend to pay more than charities or public sector. Companies like Splunk, Apple, and Uber are noted for top executive assistant compensation.
• Experience: Entry-level roles may start around £34,000, while senior executive assistants with 8+ years can earn £75,000 or more, especially when supporting CEOs.
• Hours and contract type: Permanent roles include benefits like pension and bonus, while contract or temporary positions may offer higher daily rates but fewer perks.

Conclusion

The executive assistant salary in the UK varies widely, but the average sits around £43,600 per year, with experienced professionals in London or high-paying sectors earning significantly more. When evaluating an offer, convert hourly rates using 37.5 hours per week as a baseline, and factor in location, sector, and benefits. For more guidance, explore our salary articles or use the hourly calculator to compare offers side by side.