Executive Assistant.
Charleston.
$67,000
median salary, 4% below the national average
$51,000 to $87,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Executive Assistant salary in Charleston is $67,000, 4% below the national average. Entry level starts near $51,000. Experienced professionals push past $87,000. Charleston is one of the South's fastest growing tech hubs, with Boeing, Volvo, and a wave of software companies establishing operations. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $60,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$44,000
to $54,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$57,000
to $70,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$74,000
to $87,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$84,000
to $104,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $13,000 to the total package.
Base
$67,000
Equity
$7,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $80,000
How Charleston compares
Charleston, SC
$67,000
Cost of living: 2% below average
National Average
$70,000
Charleston is $3,000 below
Executive Assistant salary by city
Salary by role in Charleston
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Executive Assistant roles in Charleston, here is what you are walking into. Charleston is one of the South's fastest growing tech hubs, with Boeing, Volvo, and a wave of software companies establishing operations. The city's port drives significant logistics employment. Charleston's quality of life, moderate costs, and growing tech scene attract relocating professionals from across the country. The seniority of the executive supported is the dominant pay factor. EAs to C-suite leaders earn 25 to 40% more than those supporting VPs or directors. Gatekeeping complexity, international travel coordination, and board-level document preparation all push salaries to the higher end of the range.
Junior EAs start at $48,000 to $58,000 supporting directors or VPs. EAs to SVPs and C-suite earn $68,000 to $95,000. Senior EAs and chiefs of staff reach $90,000 to $130,000. Some transition into operations management or business partner roles exceeding $120,000. In Charleston, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Annual bonuses of 5 to 15% are common, often discretionary and based on executive satisfaction. EAs at tech companies frequently receive equity grants worth $5,000 to $25,000 annually. Some receive the same perks as executives, including travel upgrades. And on the tax side: south Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.4%. Charleston has no city income tax. The state rate is moderate, and the affordable cost of living keeps net pay competitive. When someone quotes you $67,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight the Boeing and Volvo ecosystem when negotiating. Manufacturing and engineering employers in Charleston benchmark against national aerospace pay scales. The range for Executive Assistants in Charleston runs from $51,000 to $87,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Accountant in Charleston earns $68,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Charleston is Chief AI Officer at $301,000
Common questions.
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