Executive Assistant Salary: State and Industry Differences in Australia

Executive Assistant Salary: State and Industry Differences

When you search for an executive assistant salary in Australia, the numbers you find can vary widely depending on where you work and what industry you are in. Unlike some roles with a single award rate, executive assistants are often classified under broader awards or enterprise agreements, making direct comparisons tricky. This guide uses the Salary Index to show how state and industry differences affect pay for executive assistants, drawing on the most recent public data from Jobs and Skills Australia and the Fair Work Ombudsman.

What the Data Shows

The closest publicly available occupation to an executive assistant is the Personal Assistant (ANZSCO 5211). According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for personal assistants is $1,832, which annualises to about $95,264. That puts the role at an index of 88 on the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year. However, executive assistants often handle more senior responsibilities and may command higher pay, especially in certain states and industries.

State Differences in Executive Assistant Pay

Australia’s state wage indices provide a useful lens for understanding how executive assistant salaries might vary by location. The states page on Salary Index shows the following benchmarks:

• Australian Capital Territory: index 109.9 (annualised $119,090)
• Western Australia: index 106.9 ($115,825)
• New South Wales: index 101.2 ($109,658)
• Victoria: index 98.0 ($106,137)
• Queensland: index 97.9 ($106,064)
• Northern Territory: index 95.2 ($103,173)
• South Australia: index 94.6 ($102,450)
• Tasmania: index 88.6 ($96,008)

If an executive assistant in Tasmania earns at the state average, their salary might be around $96,000, while a counterpart in the ACT could earn $119,000. These differences reflect local labour market conditions, cost of living, and the concentration of high-paying industries. For example, the ACT has a large public sector and professional services industry, which tend to pay executive assistants more. In contrast, Tasmania’s economy has a higher share of lower-paying industries like hospitality and retail.

Industry Differences

Industry is another major factor. The industries page shows that mining has an index of 154.7, meaning workers in that industry earn about 55% above the national average. Professional, scientific and technical services (index 114.7) and education and training (105.5) also pay above the line. On the other hand, retail trade (75.9) and accommodation and food services (72.5) pay well below.

An executive assistant in a mining company in Western Australia could easily earn $120,000 or more, while one in a retail chain in Queensland might earn closer to $70,000. The personal assistant data shows that 33.2% of personal assistants work in New South Wales, 25% in Victoria, and 18.6% in Queensland, with the largest industries being professional services, public administration, and health care. Executive assistants in these industries tend to earn above the personal assistant median.

How the Salary Index Works

The Salary Index is a simple way to compare any pay figure against the national line. You take the yearly gross salary, divide it by the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352), and multiply by 100. For example, a $95,000 executive assistant salary gives an index of 88. A $120,000 salary gives an index of 111. This helps you see whether a role pays above or below the average, regardless of state or industry. Learn more on the how the index works page.

Award Coverage and Minimums

Executive assistants may be covered by the Clerks Award, the Professional Employees Award, or an enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for these awards, but the specific classification for an executive assistant is not always straightforward. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages rose by 4.75%, and the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). An entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour. However, most executive assistants earn well above these minimums due to experience and responsibility.

Superannuation and Tax

Superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, with a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a $95,000 salary, that means $11,400 in super. Tax for 2026–27 is progressive: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Add a 2% Medicare levy. A resident earning $95,000 would pay about $22,267 in tax and Medicare, leaving a take-home of around $72,733. But these are estimates; individual circumstances vary.

Putting It Together

An executive assistant salary in Australia is not a single number. It depends heavily on where you work and what industry you are in. Using the personal assistant median as a baseline, you can expect an index around 88, but executive assistants in high-paying states and industries can push that index above 110. For a more precise picture, check the Salary Index, compare states, and look at industries to see where your role fits.

FAQs

What is the average executive assistant salary in Australia?

There is no single average because executive assistant salaries vary by state, industry, and experience. Using personal assistant data as a proxy, the median full-time weekly earnings are $1,832, which annualises to about $95,264. However, executive assistants in high-paying industries like mining or professional services often earn more, while those in retail or hospitality may earn less. The Salary Index benchmark for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings is $108,352 per year (index 100), so the personal assistant median sits at an index of 88.

How does executive assistant salary differ by state?

State-level earnings for executive assistants reflect broader wage patterns. Using the Salary Index, states with higher overall earnings tend to pay executive assistants more. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has an index of 109.9, suggesting executive assistants there may earn above the national median. Western Australia (index 106.9) and New South Wales (101.2) also tend to pay above average, while Tasmania (88.6) and South Australia (94.6) are lower. These differences are driven by local labour markets, cost of living, and industry mix.

Which industries pay executive assistants the most?

Industries with high overall earnings typically pay executive assistants more. Mining has a Salary Index of 154.7, meaning workers in that industry earn about 55% above the national average. Professional, scientific and technical services (index 114.7) and education and training (105.5) also pay above average. In contrast, retail trade (75.9) and accommodation and food services (72.5) have lower indices. Executive assistants in mining or professional services firms can expect salaries well above the personal assistant median, often exceeding $100,000 annually.