What Is the Average Hourly Rate for a U.S.-Based Executive Assistant?

The average hourly rate for a U.S.-based executive assistant varies widely based on experience, scope, and responsibility.

But hourly rate alone is the wrong lens.

For most executives, the real question is whether hiring fractional executive support is cheaper, less stressful, and wiser than hiring full-time.

In most cases, it is.

Why There Is No Single “Standard” Hourly Rate

Executive assistant work is not a commodity role.

Rates vary based on:

• Level of executive experience
  
  
• Scope of responsibility
  
  
• Degree of autonomy and judgment
  
  
• Industry complexity
  
  
• Whether support is task-based or outcome-based
  
  

Two assistants with the same title can deliver radically different value.

Typical Hourly Rate Ranges for U.S.-Based Executive Assistants

Most U.S.-based executive assistants fall into one of three categories.

Task-Focused or Entry-Level Support

• Lower hourly rates
  
  
• Reactive execution
  
  
• Requires close oversight
  
  

This model often looks cheaper at first but increases management burden.

Experienced Executive Assistants

• Mid-range hourly rates
  
  
• Proactive support
  
  
• Manages calendars, inboxes, priorities, and follow-through
  
  
• Requires minimal supervision
  
  

This level delivers the best balance of cost and impact for most executives.

Senior or Executive-Level Support

• Higher hourly rates
  
  
• High discretion and judgment
  
  
• Acts as an extension of the executive
  
  
• Anticipates needs instead of waiting for instructions
  
  

These roles cost more per hour but reduce total time spent managing work.

Why Hourly Rate Alone Misses the Point

Hourly rate comparisons ignore hidden costs.

Lower hourly rates often lead to:

• More interruptions
  
  
• More explanations
  
  
• More corrections
  
  
• More time managing support
  
  

Higher hourly rates often result in:

• Faster execution
  
  
• Better prioritization
  
  
• Fewer decisions pushed back to the executive
  
  
• Less cognitive load
  
  

The correct comparison is cost per outcome, not cost per hour.

Fractional Support vs Hiring a Full-Time Executive Assistant

Hiring full-time is not just an hourly calculation.

A full-time executive assistant typically includes:

• Salary
  
  
• Benefits
  
  
• Payroll taxes
  
  
• Equipment and software
  
  
• Recruiting and onboarding time
  
  
• Performance management
  
  
• Risk of mis-hire
  
  

Fractional executive assistant support:

• Avoids fixed salary commitments
  
  
• Scales with actual workload
  
  
• Reduces hiring and HR burden
  
  
• Allows faster course correction
  
  

For many executives, fractional support is cheaper overall, even when the hourly rate appears higher.

Stress and Risk Matter More Than the Rate

Hiring full-time introduces:

• Long-term commitment
  
  
• Pressure to “make it work”
  
  
• Difficulty adjusting scope when needs change
  
  

Fractional support reduces stress by:

• Allowing flexibility as priorities shift
  
  
• Removing fear of a bad hire
  
  
• Making delegation easier and safer
  
  

This matters most during growth, when needs change quickly.

U.S.-Based vs Offshore Executive Assistant Costs

Offshore support often advertises lower hourly rates.

However, differences typically include:

• Time zone misalignment
  
  
• Communication friction
  
  
• Increased oversight
  
  
• Limited suitability for executive discretion
  
  

U.S.-based executive assistants generally cost more per hour but require less management and handle greater responsibility.

Hourly Contracts vs Managed Fractional Models

Hourly contractors:

• Bill strictly by time
  
  
• Require close scope management
  
  
• Shift responsibility to the executive
  
  

Managed fractional models:

• Focus on outcomes
  
  
• Offer predictable monthly costs
  
  
• Reduce management burden
  
  
• Support continuity and alignment
  
  

For executives, predictability and trust usually matter more than the lowest hourly rate.

How BELAY Approaches Executive Assistant Support

BELAY provides U.S.-based executive assistants through a managed, fractional support model rather than traditional hourly contracting.

This approach allows executives to:

• Access experienced support without hiring full-time
  
  
• Avoid recruiting and HR management
  
  
• Scale support as needs change
  
  
• Reduce stress while improving execution
  
  

The focus is not on selling hours.
It’s on removing operational drag.

In One Sentence, What Should Executives Know About Hourly Rates?

Even if a U.S.-based executive assistant’s hourly rate appears higher, fractional support is usually cheaper, less stressful, and wiser than hiring full-time because it reduces overhead, risk, and management burden.