Executive Personal Assistants in 2025: Compensation, Responsibilities and Hiring Guide

 
Champagne and gourmet meal served aboard a private jet, representing luxury lifestyle and elite personalized service.
 

In today's complex landscape of wealth management and personal services, executive personal assistants have become indispensable assets for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and corporate executives. As demand for these skilled professionals continues to rise, understanding their compensation, responsibilities, and the value they bring has never been more important.

What Does an Executive Personal Assistant Do?

An executive personal assistant (EPA) serves as the right hand to high-level executives, wealthy individuals, or family offices, managing both professional and personal affairs with the utmost discretion and efficiency. Unlike traditional administrative assistants, EPAs often operate with a 24/7 mentality, remaining available for urgent matters regardless of the hour.

These professionals serve as the vital connective tissue between their principals' various business interests, personal commitments, and household operations. They often coordinate with other household staff, wealth managers, and business associates to ensure seamless operations across all aspects of their employer's life.

What Salary Should I Ask for as an Executive Personal Assistant in 2025?

Compensation for executive personal assistants varies significantly based on experience, location, responsibilities, and the wealth level of their employer. Recent market data reveals the following compensation trends:

Salary Ranges

  • Entry-Level (1-3 years experience): $75,000 - $90,000

  • Mid-Level (4-7 years experience): $90,000 - $130,000

  • Senior-Level (8+ years experience): $130,000 - $180,000

  • Elite/UHNW Specialized: $180,000 - $250,000+

According to a recent CNBC report on family office compensation, executive personal assistants supporting principals with significant wealth are commanding increasingly competitive compensation packages:

Total Compensation Package

  • Median Base Salary: $100,048

  • Top-Tier Earnings: Up to $188,800 (excluding bonuses)

  • Annual Bonuses: Typically 10% - 20% of base salary

  • Premium Total Compensation: In large family offices (managing $2.5B+ in assets), total compensation packages can reach $240,000+, including long-term incentives

Additional Benefits Commonly Offered

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance

  • Retirement plans with employer matching

  • Paid time off (typically 15-25 days)

  • Travel allowances or reimbursements

  • Housing stipends (especially in high-cost areas)

  • Cell phone and technology allowances

  • Professional development funds

  • Relocation assistance

Premium Compensation Factors

Several factors can significantly increase an executive personal assistant's earning potential, as highlighted in the CNBC analysis of family office compensation trends:

  1. Travel Requirements: Executive assistants to family offices are often required to travel with their principals on both personal and professional trips. According to CNBC, some positions require travel with the principal at least once a month, including during holidays. This significant commitment is reflected in compensation packages that can exceed $200,000 when including travel pay and bonuses.

  2. 24/7 Availability: EPAs who maintain constant availability for urgent matters command premium compensation, often 20-30% above standard rates.

  3. Previous Experience with HNW Individuals: Employers are increasingly seeking candidates with prior experience serving high-net-worth individuals, which comes at a premium. This experience demonstrates an understanding of the unique demands and discretion required in these environments.

  4. Educational Background: Many ultra-high-net-worth employers seek candidates with prestigious educational credentials, including top-tier or Ivy League degrees.

  5. Multi-household Management: Assistants who coordinate staff and operations across multiple residences typically earn higher salaries.

  6. International Experience: Familiarity with international travel logistics, cultural protocols, and multiple languages can boost compensation by 15-25%.

  7. Specialized Knowledge: Expertise in areas like private aviation, yacht management, fine art, or event planning adds significant value.

  8. High-Level Discretion: Working with ultra-high-net-worth families or public figures requires exceptional confidentiality, commanding premium pay.

Top Skills of an Executive Personal Assistant

The modern executive personal assistant's role has expanded far beyond traditional administrative duties to encompass:

Top Skills Required

  • Exceptional organization and prioritization abilities

  • Advanced calendar management expertise

  • Impeccable written and verbal communication

  • Problem-solving and critical thinking

  • Discretion and confidentiality

  • Adaptability and flexibility

  • Technological proficiency

  • Emotional intelligence and interpersonal awareness

  • Proactive anticipation of needs

  • Cultural competency for international interactions

Core Responsibilities

Administrative Management

  • Managing complex calendars and scheduling across multiple time zones

  • Coordinating high-level meetings and appointments

  • Handling correspondence and communications

  • Document preparation and management

  • Travel arrangements and logistics

Household Coordination

  • Overseeing household staff across multiple residences

  • Vendor management and contractor coordination

  • Property maintenance supervision

  • Security coordination

  • Inventory management of household assets

Personal Affairs

  • Family schedule management

  • Event planning and execution

  • Gift procurement and tracking

  • Personal shopping and wardrobe management

  • Managing children's activities and educational requirements

Financial Administration

  • Expense reporting and reconciliation

  • Budget management for household operations

  • Vendor payment processing

  • Basic bookkeeping

  • Coordination with wealth managers and financial advisors

Lifestyle Support

  • Travel planning (including private aviation arrangements)

  • Restaurant reservations and entertainment bookings

  • Management of personal collections (art, wine, automobiles)

  • Coordinating health and wellness appointments

  • Pet care arrangements

Is Executive Assistant a High Position? Understanding C-Level Support

Executive personal assistants supporting C-level executives, family office principals, or ultra-high-net-worth individuals occupy pivotal roles that significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of their organizations. While not typically part of the executive leadership team, these professionals:

  • Have extensive access to confidential information

  • Often serve as gatekeepers controlling access to their principals

  • Make consequential decisions about scheduling and priorities

  • Represent their principals in communications with stakeholders

  • Manage substantial budgets for travel, events, and household operations

Executive assistants at this level are highly respected professionals who can command substantial compensation packages reflective of their expertise, discretion, and the high-pressure nature of their positions. In family office contexts particularly, these roles often blend professional support with household management, requiring a sophisticated understanding of both worlds.

What is the Most Difficult Part of Being an Executive Assistant?

It's crucial to understand that high-level executive personal assistant positions are not conducive to remote work arrangements. According to the CNBC report, these positions demand:

  • Physical presence to anticipate and address needs in real-time

  • Frequent travel with principals on both business and personal trips

  • Experience in private service environments

  • Ability to read social situations and act with appropriate discretion

  • Hands-on management of household matters and personal affairs

The premium compensation these roles command reflects their demanding nature. This is not a cushy job for someone seeking work-life balance or remote flexibility, it's a career for dedicated professionals willing to make themselves available when needed, often at a moment's notice.

Senior recruiter Dawn Faktor Pincus notes in the CNBC article that for positions paying over $200,000 in total compensation, employers expect candidates who not only have impressive credentials but also understand the unique demands of supporting ultra-high-net-worth individuals in both their business and personal lives.

What Type of Person Makes a Good Executive Assistant?

Successful executive personal assistants supporting high-net-worth individuals and family offices typically share certain personal characteristics:

Temperament and Personality Traits

  • Unflappable under pressure: Ability to maintain composure in high-stress situations

  • Meticulous attention to detail: Nothing falls through the cracks

  • Proactive problem-solving: Anticipating issues before they arise

  • Adaptable and flexible: Ready to pivot with changing priorities

  • Confident and assertive: Able to manage gatekeeping duties effectively

  • Diplomatic and tactful: Skilled at navigating complex interpersonal dynamics

  • Naturally discrete: Understands the critical importance of confidentiality

  • Service-oriented mindset: Derives satisfaction from supporting others' success

  • High emotional intelligence: Reads situations and adjusts approach accordingly

  • Resourceful and creative: Finds solutions with limited guidance

Educational and Professional Background

As the CNBC article notes, many family offices seek candidates with top-tier educational credentials and specific experience working with high-net-worth individuals. While prestigious degrees can open doors, demonstrated competence and the right personality traits often matter more for long-term success.

The 24/7 Mentality: What It Really Means

One of the most distinguishing characteristics of high-level executive personal assistants is their 24/7 mentality. This doesn't necessarily mean working around the clock, but rather maintaining availability for urgent matters regardless of the hour. This approach requires:

  • Accessibility: Being reachable via phone or text during off-hours for emergencies

  • Adaptability: Adjusting quickly to last-minute changes or unexpected situations

  • Anticipation: Foreseeing potential issues before they arise

  • Crisis Management: Handling unexpected problems with calm efficiency

  • Boundaries: Establishing clear protocols for what constitutes an emergency

For family offices and high-net-worth employers, it's crucial to recognize that this level of availability comes at a premium and should be appropriately compensated. Many top-tier assistants now negotiate specific terms regarding after-hours availability, including:

  • On-call premiums

  • Comp time for significant after-hours work

  • Clear definitions of emergencies warranting off-hours contact

  • Technology allowances for maintaining connectivity

Hiring and Retention Strategies for Family Offices

With 60% of affluent households operating without a structured compensation plan for household staff and executive assistants according to Botoff Consulting's research, turnover remains a significant challenge. To attract and retain top executive personal assistant talent:

Structured Compensation Planning

  • Establish standardized pay scales based on skills and responsibilities

  • Create clear bonus structures tied to measurable performance metrics

  • Provide regular cost-of-living adjustments and performance reviews

  • Offer long-term incentives for retention (e.g., deferred compensation)

Professional Development

  • Support continuing education and skill development

  • Provide mentorship opportunities

  • Fund attendance at industry conferences and networking events

  • Create clear pathways for advancement

Work-Life Balance Considerations

  • Implement backup support systems for time off

  • Establish clear boundaries for after-hours contact

  • Provide generous paid time off policies

  • Consider flexible scheduling where possible

Recent industry analysis by Botoff Consulting and CNBC indicates that addressing work-life balance is becoming increasingly important in retaining top executive assistant talent.

Recognition Programs

  • Acknowledge exceptional performance with meaningful rewards

  • Implement formal recognition programs

  • Provide regular feedback and appreciation

  • Include assistants in appropriate family or company events

For Job-Seekers: Positioning Yourself for Premium Compensation

For professionals seeking to maximize their earning potential as executive personal assistants:

Experience Requirements

  • Private Service Background: Experience working directly with high-net-worth individuals or families is increasingly essential, as noted in the CNBC report

  • Household Management Experience: Understanding the complexities of managing staff and operations in private residences

  • Corporate Executive Support: Experience supporting C-suite executives in demanding corporate environments

  • Specialized Industry Knowledge: Background in fields like finance, real estate, or hospitality can be valuable

Skills Development

  • Master high-level calendar management software

  • Develop project management capabilities

  • Build expertise in luxury services and vendors

  • Cultivate network management skills

  • Learn basic financial management

Credentials and Education

  • Consider specialized certifications in household management

  • Pursue education in business administration

  • Obtain training in project management methodologies

  • Learn additional languages

  • Develop cultural competency for international work

Experience Building

  • Seek roles with increasing responsibility

  • Build expertise in specialized areas (travel management, event planning)

  • Develop a portfolio of accomplishments

  • Cultivate relationships with respected professionals in the field

  • Document quantifiable achievements

The Value Proposition of Elite Executive Personal Assistants

The right executive personal assistant delivers value far exceeding their compensation by:

  • Maximizing their principal's time and productivity

  • Reducing stress and cognitive load

  • Ensuring seamless operations across personal and professional spheres

  • Anticipating needs before they arise

  • Managing complex logistics with precision

  • Maintaining absolute confidentiality and trust

For family offices and high-net-worth individuals, investing in proper compensation and support structures for executive personal assistants isn't merely an expense, it's a strategic investment in efficiency, effectiveness, and peace of mind.

It's important to recognize that this role requires individuals who understand the demands of private service and are willing to maintain the physical presence and availability needed to support principals effectively. As the CNBC article emphasizes, the most successful executive personal assistants combine educational credentials with the right temperament and willingness to adapt to the principal's needs, whether that means traveling during holidays or managing personal matters with discretion.


At My Household Managed, we specialize in connecting elite executive personal assistants with family offices and high-net-worth individuals. We assist with developing structured compensation packages, detailed job descriptions, and effective onboarding processes to ensure successful long-term placements.

Whether you're a family office seeking to hire top talent, a family looking to bring on your first executive personal assistant, or a professional looking to advance your career, we can help you navigate the complex landscape of executive personal assistant services.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you build a staffing strategy that ensures excellence and longevity in your household operations.



Previous
Previous

Why Most Household Staff No Longer Want Live-In Positions (And What to Do Instead)

Next
Next

Companion Care vs. Caregiving: Finding the Right Support for Your Aging Loved One