Executive assistants in businesses small and large act as the central hub for organization, communication, and leadership support. But for many early-career administrative professionals, it’s natural to ask: “Is the executive assistant career path right for me?”

If you’re considering this dynamic role, here’s what to know about key responsibilities, traits that signal a strong fit, and career growth opportunities.

What Executive Assistants Do

In smaller companies, EAs often take on a wide scope of work that might be divided among several departments in a larger organization. Common responsibilities include:

• Calendar and Schedule Management: Coordinating meetings, calls, events, and optimizing executive time.

• Communication Support: Drafting emails, memos, and reports; managing internal and external correspondence.

• Travel Planning: Booking travel and accommodations, creating itineraries, and managing last-minute changes.

• Meeting and Event Coordination: Preparing agendas, organizing logistics, and recording minutes.

• Document and Data Management: Managing files, spreadsheets, and databases.

• Project and Task Tracking: Monitoring project progress, following up on action items, and managing deadlines.

• Office Operations: Ordering supplies, onboarding new hires, and supporting cross-team communications.

In larger organizations, EAs may specialize more deeply or support multiple leaders at once. They often handle complex calendar management across time zones, prepare executive-level presentations, coordinate board meetings, manage confidential projects, and serve as a liaison between senior leadership and other departments.

Smaller businesses provide closer access to decision-makers and broader responsibilities, while larger companies offer opportunities to master high-level executive operations, collaborate with larger teams, and develop specialized expertise.

Traits of a Great Executive Assistant

Every EA role looks a little different, but these core traits can help determine if an executive assistant career is a good fit for you:

• Strong communication and organizational skills

• Adaptability in fast-changing environments

• Discretion and trustworthiness

• Proactive problem-solving and initiative

If these sound like you, you’re likely on the right path.

Career Path and Growth Milestones

The executive assistant career evolves from tactical support to strategic leadership. According to the 2025 ASAP State of the Profession Report, EAs typically move through these four stages:

• Stage 1: Assisting (Under 5 years of experience)
  Focused on scheduling, document management, and foundational support tasks.

• Stage 2: Supporting (5+ years)
  Adds project assistance and more independent decision-making.

• Stage 3: Partnering (5+ years)
  Collaborates on strategic planning, manages teams and projects.

• Stage 4: Leading (10+ years)
  Leads large-scale initiatives and advises at the executive level.

Career development and responsibility level are key factors in salary growth, but the average annual compensation tends to increase at each stage. In 2025, the average salary was $69,643, up 3.7% from 2024.

Reflective Prompts to Guide Your Decision

Ask yourself:

• Do I enjoy supporting others and helping leaders succeed?

• Am I energized by variety and fast-paced problem-solving?

• Do I find satisfaction in organizing, planning, and improving systems?

If you answered “yes” to most of these, the EA path may be an ideal match.

Explore Your Path Forward

Ready to explore where your skills can take you? Consider registering for our course The Essential EA Toolkit or Advancing from Admin Assistant to EA to prepare yourself with the skills that set great EAs apart.