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LIVE · ONS ASHE 2025 SYNCED
00:00:00 UTC
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC TRADES N.E.C.▲ 65% /10yrBUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS N.E.C.▲ 60% /10yrFINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS▲ 55% /10yrASSEMBLERS (VEHICLES AND METAL GOODS)▼ 1% /10yrHIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING PROFESSIONALS▲ 5% /10yrSOFTWARE ENGINEER£55,000▲ 38% /5yrCYBER SECURITY ANALYST£62,000▲ 35% /5yr
SOC 4215Secretarial and related occupations

Personal assistants and other secretaries Salary

QUOTE · PERSONAL ASSISTANTS AND OTHER SECRETARIESUK · 2025
£25,233
▼ 35% vs UK median (£39,039)
P25 £12,103
P75 £36,179
2015–2025 median▲ 39%

Median salary £25,233 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £25,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For personal assistants and other secretaries, £34,954 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -10% versus the national average. Experienced personal assistants and other secretaries (top 25%) earn over £36,179.

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About this role

Personal assistants and other secretaries provide high-level administrative support to managers and executives. They manage diaries, coordinate meetings, handle correspondence, organise travel and ensure the smooth running of office operations, often serving as a key point of contact.

Key responsibilities

  • Managing diaries, scheduling meetings and coordinating events
  • Handling correspondence, emails and telephone enquiries
  • Preparing documents, reports and presentations
  • Organising travel arrangements and logistics
  • Maintaining filing systems and office administration

Qualifications and entry routes

Relevant experience is the primary requirement. Administrative qualifications (e.g., IAM, LCCI) and IT skills are valued. Executive PA roles often require significant experience supporting senior leaders.

Career outlook

Automation is reducing some routine administrative roles, but demand remains for skilled administrators who can manage complex workflows and support senior teams.

Key skills

OrganisationCommunicationIT proficiency (Microsoft Office)Time managementDiscretion and confidentiality

Common industries

  • All sectors
  • Legal firms
  • Corporate offices
  • Public sector
  • Healthcare

Data coverage

SOC code4215
Data sourceONS ASHE
Years available2015–2025
Estimated jobs164,000
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Mean Salary
£26,511
Top 10% Earn
£48,675
Jobs (000s)
164k
Data Years
11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £6kP25: £12kMedian: £25kP75: £36kP90: £49k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£5,965

0-2 years

Mid Level

£12,103

3-7 years

Senior

£36,179

8-15 years

Leadership

£48,675

15+ years

Potential career growth: ▲ +716% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Nominal growth: +39.5%Real growth: +1.1%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees
£25,233
Full-time Only
£34,954

Full-time premium: +£9,721

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Personal assistants and other secretaries salary: common questions

How much do personal assistants and other secretaries earn in the UK?
Personal assistants and other secretaries earn a median of £34,954 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £12,103 and £36,179.
Is £34,954 a good salary in the UK?
For personal assistants and other secretaries, £34,954 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -10% versus the national average. Experienced personal assistants and other secretaries (top 25%) earn over £36,179.
What is the starting salary for personal assistants and other secretaries?
Entry-level personal assistants and other secretaries typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £12,103, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £5,965.
How much do the highest-paid personal assistants and other secretaries earn?
The best-paid 10% of personal assistants and other secretaries earn over £48,675 a year, and the top 25% over £36,179 (ONS ASHE 2025).
Have personal assistants and other secretaries salaries kept up with inflation?
Since 2015, median personal assistants and other secretaries pay has risen from £25,000 to £34,954 — +40% in cash terms, or +1.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).

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