What are the best personal assistant courses?
There is no single starting point on a personal assistant career path, and successful PAs can find their way into the role in very diverse ways. However, for those people…
As the leading PA recruitment agency in London and beyond, we’ve worked with thousands of individuals in PA jobs. From start-ups to global corporations, finance to creative industries, we’ve seen the whole range of job specs, giving us unrivalled insights into salaries across the market. So, whatever the job may look like, we can give you the best advice on what to expect of a personal assistant’s salary.
What is a personal assistant?
Personal assistants can be found in every industry, performing a highly valued role. Whether they’re working with a business manager or an UHNWI in a private capacity, PAs are vital for making their principal’s working lives smooth and efficient.
Of course, the day-to-day life of a PA in the creative sector may look quite different to one in investment banking, but the core duties of a personal assistant remain the same:
- Work and personal diary management
- Being the point of contact on phone and email
- Travel and accommodation booking
- Booking meetings
- Preparing presentations and meeting materials
- Taking minutes of meetings
These time-sensitive and pressure-filled tasks favour assistants with a particular set of personality traits, such as clear communication, initiative, discretion and timekeeping. The best PAs have these traits in abundance and thrive in this fast-paced position. But that doesn’t mean they should be happy to do it for an uncompetitive salary!
How much do personal assistants make?
When it comes to the salary of a personal assistant, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, the salary will depend on the industry, the level of seniority, whether the role is remote or office-based, and whether it’s a corporate role or a private PA job.
Below you will find some guidelines on the most up-to-date personal assistant salaries in London.
Personal assistant salary based on industry
Financial services and tech companies are known to be paying the highest salaries to PAs in the market. The salaries in these industries can typically range from £40,000-£50,000 per year, paying up to £60,000 per year.
In addition, these industries usually provide great benefits and bonuses for their employees.
The personal assistant salaries in the creative industry can range between £38,000-£50,000 per year, whilst the non-profit/charity, and education sectors pay between £38,000-£50,000 per year.
Hourly rate for a London personal assistant
For temporary contracts, the hourly wage in London is between £18-£28 per hour. This is typically for a mid/senior level role, which would roughly be paying £50,000 full-time equivalent per year.
Average PA salaries based on seniority
The salary of a personal assistant will also be affected by seniority of the role. On average, for an entry level/junior office role with the prospect of progressing into a PA role, the salary will be around £25,000-£28,000 per year.
For a PA role with no experience, the salary usually starts at £30,000 per annum.
Private personal assistant salary in the UK
If being a private PA is your goal, expect to see quite a different range of salaries for this role. That’s because the pay will be affected by several factors, based on the principal’s requirements.
Some of these factors might be:
- If the role involves a lot of travelling
- If it requires 24/7 availability
- If it’s a traditional family office PA role
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but these requirements affect the salary bracket, meaning salaries for private PA roles can range from £50,000 to £80,000 per year.
The role of a private PA can be extremely demanding, so it’s important to look after your wellbeing.
A few more considerations…
It’s important to note that the personal assistant salary in London will also be impacted by a few more factors:
- If the role is remote and you work for a London-based company but live somewhere else in the UK, the salary might be slightly lower than the average
- The salary can vary if the role requires five days in the office, as opposed to hybrid working
- If regular travel is expected in the role, the salary may not be increased, however, travel expenses will be paid for
If you’d like more information on PA salaries in London, you can request a copy of our Salary and Benefits Review.
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You can learn more about the personal assistant role in our guide to becoming a PA. When you’re ready to find your dream PA role, submit your details here.
If you’re looking to hire a PA, read our ultimate guide to PA recruitment.
