Cost of Executive Assistant for Consulting CEO
One of the first questions consulting CEOs ask when considering executive assistant support is straightforward: what does it cost? The answer depends on the service model, the assistant’s experience level, and the geographic market. This guide provides a clear, practical breakdown of what executive assistant support actually costs for consulting CEOs across all major models.
The Complete Cost Picture
In-House Full-Time Executive Assistant
For consulting firms that hire an EA as a direct employee, the cost has several components:
Base salary:
- Entry level (2 to 4 years, general background): $55,000 to $70,000 annually
- Professional level (4 to 8 years, some consulting experience): $70,000 to $95,000 annually
- Senior level (8+ years, consulting firm background): $95,000 to $130,000 annually
- Premium senior (10+ years, top-tier consulting): $130,000 to $160,000+ annually
Add employment costs:
- Health benefits: $8,000 to $15,000 annually
- 401(k) match: 2 to 5 percent of salary
- Payroll taxes (FICA, FUTA, SUTA): approximately 10 percent of salary
- Paid time off (vacation, sick leave): 3 to 5 weeks per year value
- Professional development: $1,000 to $3,000 annually
- Equipment and software: $1,500 to $3,000 one-time
First-year recruiting costs:
- Staffing agency placement fee (if used): 18 to 25 percent of salary ($12,600 to $32,500)
- Internal recruiting time and advertising: $2,000 to $10,000
Total first-year cost (all-in):
- Entry level: $85,000 to $115,000
- Professional: $110,000 to $150,000
- Senior: $135,000 to $185,000
Ongoing annual cost after first year (no recruiting):
- Entry: $70,000 to $95,000
- Professional: $90,000 to $125,000
- Senior: $120,000 to $165,000
Virtual Dedicated EA through Managed Platform
Premium platforms provide a dedicated virtual EA without the employment overhead:
US-based, premium tier:
- 10 hours/week: $1,500 to $2,500 per month ($18,000 to $30,000 annually)
- 20 hours/week: $2,500 to $4,500 per month ($30,000 to $54,000 annually)
- Full-time equivalent (40 hours/week): $4,500 to $7,500 per month ($54,000 to $90,000 annually)
Near-shore (Latin America):
- 20 hours/week: $1,200 to $2,500 per month ($14,400 to $30,000 annually)
- Full-time equivalent: $1,800 to $3,500 per month ($21,600 to $42,000 annually)
Offshore (Philippines, India):
- Full-time equivalent: $800 to $2,000 per month ($9,600 to $24,000 annually)
Setup and onboarding: Most platforms charge $0 to $500 for initial setup.
On-Demand and Fractional Services
For consulting CEOs with lower or variable support needs:
Task-based:
- Average monthly spend for moderate consulting CEO use: $400 to $1,500 per month
Hourly blocks:
- Professional quality, US-based: $35 to $65 per hour
- Typical monthly total for 15 to 20 hours: $525 to $1,300
The Cost-Value Comparison for Consulting CEOs
The cost of an executive assistant must be evaluated against the value generated, not as a standalone expense.
The basic ROI calculation: If a consulting CEO bills at $350 per hour and an EA recovers 10 hours per week through delegation:
- Weekly additional billable capacity: $3,500
- Annual additional billable capacity: $182,000
- Annual EA cost (senior in-house): $130,000 to $165,000
- Net annual return: $17,000 to $52,000 (conservative, not counting quality improvements and non-billable value)
At 15 hours per week of recaptured time, the math is even more compelling:
- Annual additional billable capacity: $273,000
- Net annual return: $108,000 to $143,000
This calculation understates total value because it doesn’t account for improved client relationship quality, more consistent BD activity, and the reduced burnout that improves CEO performance across all domains.
How to Budget for EA Support
For boutique consulting firms and independent consultants: Budget $1,500 to $3,500 per month for part-time virtual EA support as a starting point. This represents a meaningful but not excessive commitment while you establish the value and determine whether to scale up.
For mid-size consulting firms: Budget $3,500 to $6,000 per month for dedicated virtual EA support, or plan for $90,000 to $130,000 annually for an in-house hire.
For larger consulting organizations: Budget at the senior in-house level: $120,000 to $165,000 annually per dedicated EA position.
Negotiating and Structuring EA Service Costs
Annual vs. Month-to-Month
Most managed EA platforms offer discounts of 5 to 15 percent for annual commitments versus month-to-month. If you’re confident in the service, the annual commitment is typically the better economic choice.
Scope Alignment
The most common cost optimization mistake is paying for more hours than you actually need. Audit your delegation volume before committing to a tier. Start at the lower end and scale up rather than overpaying for unused capacity.
The Trial Period
Many platforms offer trial periods at reduced rates or with lower commitment thresholds. Use these to validate quality before committing to a longer arrangement.
Hidden Costs to Anticipate
Management time: Working with an EA requires time investment in communication, feedback, and direction. This is a worthwhile investment but should be factored into the true cost picture, typically one to three hours per week in the first month, declining to 15 to 30 minutes per day thereafter.
Technology: Some platforms charge for additional software access or specific tool integrations.
Onboarding investment: Regardless of the service model, effective onboarding requires time from the CEO. This is a one-time cost but a meaningful one.
For a full framework for evaluating the total value that EA support delivers, see our EA ROI analysis.
For a comparison of pricing across the specific service models discussed here, see our EA pricing guide.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for executive administrative assistants was $65,980 nationally as of recent data, with the top 10 percent earning over $96,910 and significant premiums in professional services markets.
Conclusion
The cost of an executive assistant for a consulting CEO ranges from under $500 per month for basic on-demand support to over $15,000 per month for premium white-glove services. The appropriate investment depends on the volume of support needed, the quality standards required, and the value of the CEO’s time.
For most consulting CEOs, the return on EA investment is substantial and typically realized within the first three months. The question is not whether you can afford an executive assistant. It is whether you can afford the opportunity cost of not having one.
Related Reading
For further context, explore Cost of Executive Assistant for Automotive CEO and Cost of Executive Assistant for Construction CEO.