Executive Assistant Salary in Birmingham, AL: $61,343 (2024)
Official 2024 BLS Data | $29.49/hour | $40,261 - $86,347 range
Median Annual Salary
$61,343
Hourly Rate
$29.49
/hour
Jobs in Area
438
employed
Compare to Other Cities
See All →Birmingham, AL
$61,343
San Jose, CA
$97,752
in San Jose, CA
Executive Assistant Salary Range in Birmingham, AL
Annual Salary Range
$40k
10th percentile
$51k
25th
$73k
75th
$86k
90th percentile
Salary Breakdown by Percentile
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry Level) | $40,261 | $19.36 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,198 | $24.61 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $61,343 | $29.49 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,718 | $34.96 |
| 90th Percentile (Top Earners) | $86,347 | $41.51 |
| Average (Mean) | $64,959 | $31.23 |
Executive Assistant Market Insights for Birmingham, AL
Compensation Overview
Executive Assistant compensation in Birmingham, AL aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $40,261 to $86,347 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.
Local Market Context
Birmingham, AL offers a lower cost of living compared to major coastal metros, meaning your salary stretches further here. Many professionals find that moderate salaries in Alabama provide comparable or better quality of life than higher-paying positions in expensive cities.
Cost of Living Impact
After adjusting for local cost of living, your effective purchasing power is approximately 11% higher than the nominal salary suggests. This means Birmingham, AL offers strong real earning potential for this role.
Career Outlook
The Executive Assistant profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 114% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.
Tips for Increasing Your Salary
- •Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 41% more than median salaries
- •Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
- •Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise
-12%
vs National Avg
-12%
vs State Avg
114%
Salary Range
438
Jobs in Area
Career Path & Salary Progression
Typical Executive Assistant salary growth in Birmingham, AL based on experience level.
Entry Level
0-2 years10th percentile
$40,261
/year
Early Career
2-5 years25th percentile
$51,198
/year
Mid Career
5-10 years50th percentile
$61,343
/year
Senior
10-15 years75th percentile
$72,718
/year
Expert
15+ years90th percentile
$86,347
/year
Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.
Executive Assistant Job Market in Birmingham, AL
Where Executive Assistants Work
Executive Assistants work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.
Local Employment Landscape
Employment in this occupation is more limited in Birmingham, AL compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.
Types of Employers Hiring
Large Corporations
Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential
Small to Medium Businesses
May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities
Government Agencies
Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance
Professional Services Firms
Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers
Skills That Increase Earning Potential
Job Search Strategy for Birmingham, AL
- •Research major employers in the Birmingham-Hoover area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
- •Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Alabama
- •Tailor your salary expectations based on the Birmingham, AL market rate of $61,343
- •Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $40,261 in this market
Frequently Asked Questions
The median executive assistant salary in Birmingham, AL is $61,343 per year ($29.49/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $40,261 for entry-level positions to $86,347 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.
Entry-level executive assistants in Birmingham, AL typically start at around $40,261 per year ($19.36/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $61,343 within 3-5 years.
Executive Assistants in Birmingham, AL earn a median hourly wage of $29.49 per hour. Hourly rates range from $19.36/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $41.51/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $40,261 and $86,347.
The median executive assistant salary of $61,343 in Birmingham, AL is below the national median of $69,480 (11.7% lower). Plus, the cost of living is 10% below the national average, stretching your salary further. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of executive assistants in the area earn more and half earn less.
Executive Assistants in Birmingham, AL earn below the national average. The local median salary of $61,343 is 11.7% lower than the national median of $69,480. Plus, the cost of living is 10% below the national average, stretching your salary further. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $68,387.
The top 10% of executive assistants in Birmingham, AL earn $86,347 or more per year ($41.51/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $72,718, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.
Key skills that can boost executive assistant salary in Birmingham, AL include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $61,343, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($72,718) or higher. Years of relevant experience
Birmingham, AL has a specialized job market for executive assistants, with approximately 438 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $61,343 is below the national average. Plus, the cost of living is 10% below the national average, stretching your salary further. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.
Compare your executive assistant salary to these Birmingham, AL benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $40,261, 25th percentile: $51,198, 50th percentile (median): $61,343, 75th percentile: $72,718, 90th percentile (top earners): $86,347. If you earn more than $61,343, you're above average for the area.
Beyond the $61,343 median base salary, executive assistants in Birmingham, AL typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.
Experienced executive assistants with 5-10 years in Birmingham, AL typically earn $72,718 (75th percentile) to $86,347 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $86,347. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $61,343.
Executive Assistants in Birmingham, AL can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($40,261) to median ($61,343) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($86,347) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $46,086 over a career.
Data Source & Methodology
Official government statistics you can trust
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program
Visit Official BLS WebsiteData Year
2024
2 Years Old
Geographic Area
Birmingham-Hoover
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Occupation Code
43-6014
SOC Classification
Sample Size
438
Employees Surveyed
How This Data Is Collected
The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.
Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.
Last updated: January 23, 2026
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Executive Assistant in Birmingham, AL
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Median: $61,343/yr
How Birmingham, AL Compares
vs National Average
$69,480
vs Alabama Average
$69,798
Cost-of-Living Adjusted
$68,387
Cost of living in Birmingham, AL is 10.3% below the national average.
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