The SecsintheCity 2022 Salary Survey Report, shines a light on Assistants’ salaries, bonuses and benefits and reveals the real picture of post-pandemic employment. PA Life has some exclusive insights below on the Assistants salary survey results.
In Early 2022, SecsintheCity set out to understand how the previous 12 months have impacted the working lives of business support professionals. The survey was conducted with over 1,000 respondents, made up of EAs, PAs, Office Managers and more, exploring the shifts and shortfalls across a range of industries.
Responses to the survey showed that the industry is starting to return to normal after a turbulent two years caused by Covid-19.
THE KEY ASSISTANTS SALARY SURVEY REPORT FINDINGS SAW THAT
- 44% of survey respondents received a pay rise in 2022 (up 63% from last year)
- 54% of our audience earned a bonus in 2022 (up from 38% last year)
- 49% of respondents now work for multiple managers
- The highest earners have more than ten years in their field, taking home an average of £44,307 per annum in 2022
- 63% of respondents stated that they feel secure in their present position
A SNAPSHOT OF THE ASSISTANTS SALARIES – PARTICIPANTS & THEIR ROLES
92% are female
72% are based in London
38% hold a Bachelor’s Degree or above
49% support more than three people
73% have more than a decade’s experience
EAs and PAs continue to make up the core audience (49%)
While PA numbers edged down 2% year-on-year, the EA population grew by 17%
Secretaries grew by 15%, Legal PAs by 22% and Office Managers jumped by 59%
EARNINGS BY EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION & SERVICE YEARS
The survey reveals that experience and loyalty pay – to a point. The highest earners have clocked up more than ten years in their field, taking home an average of £44,307 per annum in 2022. Those who have spent a decade or more in their actual role make £45,625.
SecsintheCity reveals that there is a ‘salary sweet spot’ for those just starting out. Professionals with less than a year’s experience enjoyed a generous 18% year-on-year wage increase, proving it’s a lucrative time to make the leap to business support.
While employers are willing to pay for fresh talent, there’s a clear cooling off period once new starters have settled in. For those with one to three years under their belts, annual income has dropped 6% since 2021. Average ‘take-home pay’ in this category is now £26,591. At the same time, individuals with less than a year’s track record are earning £31,071.
After this initial blip, income climbs steadily in line with experience, including a lift from £41,434 to £44,307 after ten years. Average pay then slides to £42,779 once workers reach the two decade mark.
Education has little impact on earning potential, according to SecsintheCity. Business support salaries are comparable across the board – from GCSE to degree holders – with only doctorates delivering a material difference.
PAY PROFILES BY JOB TITLE
Private PAs edged out EAs to top the salary tables by job title, thanks to an 11% annual increase.
EAs are 7% better off since the last SecsintheCity report, now earning £49,988 per annum. Corporate PAs also benefited from a 3% upswing in pay, bringing home an average of £39,604.
Other success stories include HR professionals (up 24% to £48,205), Receptionists (up 4% to £28,333) and Administrators (up 3% to £27,992).
While Project Managers outpaced many other roles in salary terms, they experienced a pay drop of 2% to £44,444. Legal PAs and Office Managers also saw 1% wage cuts.
ADDITIONAL HOURS WORKED EACH WEEK
Overtime is all in a day’s work for more than half of the Assistants surveyed (57%), although this is a 2% drop compared to last year.
With more professionals returning to the office or adopting hybrid working, SecsintheCity believes that this trend may continue as teams establish clearer boundaries and schedules.
Among those who currently go above and beyond their core contract, 56% deliver between one and five extra hours per week. And 18% regularly clock up nine extra hours or more.
ABOUT SECSINTHECITY
SecsintheCity is the UK’s leading specialist job site for PAs, EAs and other business support professionals. When you’re looking for your next role in the UK, SecsintheCity is the ultimate destination for job seeking business support professionals.
For more information on SecsintheCity or our 2022 Salary Survey Report, please contact us on cs@secsinthecity.co.uk
