Picture this: you’re drowning in emails, juggling back-to-back meetings, and spending late nights cleaning up admin work instead of focusing on growth. You finally admit you need help. But then the question hits: what’s the actual executive assistant cost, and which type of support is right for you? Should you hire someone in-house, bring on a remote EA, or lean on AI-enhanced support? Each option looks different on paper, but the true costs go far beyond salary.
This guide breaks down the hidden expenses, productivity gains, and trade-offs of each option, so you can make a decision that pays off, not one that drains your time and budget.
The True Cost Equation of an Executive Assistant
Most people only look at the base salary when evaluating EA costs. That’s a mistake. The real number includes:
Salary or hourly rate
Benefits (health, 401k, PTO, etc.)
Recruitment and onboarding expenses
Training and ramp-up time
Turnover risk and replacement costs
Technology and tools
Productivity ROI: the hours they give back to you
Let’s break down what that looks like across in-house, remote, and AI-enhanced options.
Option 1: In-House Executive Assistant
Cost Breakdown
Salary: $60,000–$95,000 annually (US averages)
Benefits: 20–30% of salary ($12,000–$28,500)
Recruitment & onboarding: $5,000–$10,000
Office space, equipment, software: $3,000–$5,000 per year
Total Annual Cost: $80,000–$135,000+
Pros
High-touch, in-person presence
Easier integration with company culture
Potential for expanded responsibilities
Cons
Highest cost option
Limited talent pool (geography-bound)
Vulnerable to turnover, replacing an in-house EA can set you back months
Option 2: Remote Executive Assistant
Cost Breakdown
Salary/Contract: $35,000–$70,000 annually
Benefits: Often reduced or none (depending on contract model)
Recruitment & onboarding: $2,000–$5,000
Tools & software: $1,500–$3,000
Total Annual Cost: $40,000–$75,000
Pros
Lower cost than in-house
Access to global talent pool
Flexible, scale hours up or down
Often already trained in remote workflows
Cons
No in-person presence
Requires strong systems and communication
Quality varies widely without proper vetting
Option 3: AI-Enhanced Executive Assistant
Cost Breakdown
Software subscription: $3,000–$12,000 annually (varies by platform)
Human oversight (hybrid support): $20,000–$40,000 if paired with part-time EA
Training AI on your workflows: Time investment upfront
Total Annual Cost: $25,000–$50,000+
Pros
Lowest overhead
Scales instantly, AI doesn’t need sleep
Handles repetitive tasks (scheduling, inbox triage, data entry)
Works best when paired with human EA for judgment-heavy tasks
Cons
Still requires human oversight for nuance
Limited emotional intelligence
Adoption curve, takes time to build trust in AI tools
The Cost of Inaction
Not hiring the right support has a price, too. Here’s what it looks like:
Lost revenue opportunities because you’re stuck in admin instead of closing deals
Burnout leading to poor decision-making and stalled growth
Slower execution as competitors move faster when leaders aren’t bogged down
Team frustration when the CEO is the bottleneck
The cost of doing nothing is often higher than the cost of hiring.
A 4-Step Framework for Deciding
If you’re weighing executive assistant cost and options, here’s a simple process:
Step 1: Calculate Your Hourly Value
Divide your annual revenue by the number of hours you work. If your time is worth $500/hour, every hour spent in admin work is $500 lost.
Step 2: Audit Your Tasks
For one week, track every task. Highlight what only you can do versus what someone else could take over.
Step 3: Map Costs vs. ROI
Match your task audit to the EA models:
High-volume, judgment-heavy? Likely needs in-house or remote EA.
Process-heavy, repetitive? AI-enhanced support could be enough.
Step 4: Pilot Before You Commit
Test with a remote EA or AI-enhanced service for 90 days. Compare results against the cost of inaction.
Making the Smart Move
Hiring an executive assistant isn’t just about filling a role, it’s about buying back your time, energy, and focus. In-house, remote, or AI-enhanced each come with different price tags, but the real measure is productivity return.
At LoftyHire, we specialize in helping leaders find top-tier executive assistants who are already trained, vetted, and ready to plug into your business. Whether you need full-time support or a hybrid model, we’ll help you choose the most cost-effective option for your needs.
Ready to See What the Right EA Could Do for You?
Don’t waste another quarter weighed down by tasks that aren’t yours to carry.
See how LoftyHire can help by matching you with a world-class executive assistant. Book a free consultation today and find the support structure that grows with you.