Executive Assistant salary and cost of hiring in Tennessee
The median executive assistant in Tennessee earned $68,190 a year in May 2025[1], 11.0% below the US median of $76,590. That puts Tennessee at #27 of 51 states for this job.
BLS occupation 43-6011. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Salary range
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $45,580 | $68,190 | $98,100 | |
| United States | $50,560 | $76,590 | $109,850 |
The middle half of executive assistants in Tennessee earns $56,370–$79,840; the top tenth earns $98,100 or more, 2.2 times the bottom tenth.
What a hire really costs
Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2]. At the Tennessee median that makes about $97,414 a year before recruiting, equipment and office space. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
Our open executive assistant roles pay $800–$1,100 a month under a direct contract. The one-time fee is $2,500–$3,000[3] with a 180-day replacement; paying through Deel adds $49 a month[4]. Change any number below to match your plan.
Pay by metro area in Tennessee
| Area | Median | 75th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $83,220 | 2,430 | |
| Knoxville, TN | $80,710 | 570 | |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,630 | 440 | |
| South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $80,530 | 100 | |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $78,180 | 870 | |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $74,940 | 100 | |
| East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $81,250 | 120 | |
| Johnson City, TN | $73,030 | 80 | |
| Cleveland, TN | $74,260 | 50 | |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $67,200 | 170 | |
| West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $75,950 | 100 | |
| Jackson, TN | $65,060 | 100 | |
| North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $74,900 | 120 | |
| Morristown, TN | $63,300 | 50 |
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN pays the most ($73,700) and Morristown, TN the least ($51,240): $22,460 a year apart for the same job.
What an executive assistant does
An executive assistant takes the founder's or a senior manager's admin load: inbox, calendar, travel, reports and follow-ups, so the executive spends time on decisions instead of logistics.
Neighbours in the ranking
| State | Median | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | +1.1% | |
| Georgia (US state) | +0.1% | |
| Tennessee | +0.0% | |
| Nevada | -0.5% | |
| Michigan | -2.0% |
Questions
How much does an executive assistant earn in Tennessee?
The median was $68,190 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey; the middle half earned $56,370 to $79,840.
What does it cost to employ an executive assistant in Tennessee?
About $97,414 a year at the median wage once benefits are added, using the 30% benefits share of US private industry (June 2026).
Where in Tennessee do executive assistants earn the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $73,700 a year.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-6011: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes436011.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.