1222-NOC

Executive assistants

(NOC 1222)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$66,739
Typical Education Background
Degree
Job Openings
(2022-2032)
2,420

Career Overview

Executive assistants co-ordinate administrative procedures, public relations activities, research and analysis for governments, corporations, private firms and associations.

Duties

On behalf of executives, committees and boards of directors, executive assistants:

  • Create and co-ordinate administrative policies and procedures
  • Check incoming and outgoing messages, submissions and reports
  • Prepare and co-ordinate summary briefs and reports
  • Prepare agendas and arrange meetings
  • Carry out research, compile data and prepare papers
  • Prepare correspondence and presentations
  • Meet with individuals, special interest groups and others to discuss issues, make assessments and recommend courses of action
  • Communicate with key internal contacts and external organizations
  • Lead and co-ordinate projects
  • Co-ordinate internal and external events
  • Act as strategic business partners

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$66,739

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$48.08/hr
Median$32.00/hr
Low$20.19/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2022 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

5,300

% Employed Full Time

66%
Source: 2016 Census

Executive assistants usually work in a structured environment, such as an office. With new technologies, they can more easily work from multiple or remote locations.

Career Pathways

Executive assistants generally become administrative directors or strategic business partners after completing an administrative professional designation, such as CCAP, and after gaining years of experience. With additional experience or education, administrative directors or strategic business partners may become chief administrative officers (CAOs).

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Conventional
Conventional

Job Titles

Committee clerk
Constituency aid / assistant
Corporate secretary
Executive assistant
Legislative assistant
Medical information assistant
Ministerial assistant
Parliamentary assistant
Parliamentary committee clerk
Special assistant

Education, Training and Skills

Completion of secondary school is required. A bachelor's degree in public administration, political science or a related discipline is usually required, as is experience in a related administrative job.

Designation as a Canadian Certified Administrative Professional (CCAP) is an asset.

Depending on the industry, training in project management, event co-ordination, financial accounting, public relations or human resources may also be beneficial.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Business Administration/Management/Commerce
  • International Business
  • Political Science/Studies
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

75%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

66%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

64%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

61%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

55%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

52%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

52%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

52%
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

48%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

47%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

5,300
Source: 2016 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Employment (2022) % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 110 1.8%
Kootenay 70 1.2%
Mainland/Southwest 4,540 71.7%
North Coast and Nechako 70 1.5%
Northeast 60 0.9%
Thompson-Okanagan 430 7.4%
Vancouver Island/Coast 990 15.3%
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2022-2032)

2,420
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2022-2032)

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 0 0.9%
Kootenay 0 0.0%
Mainland/Southwest 1,770 1.3%
North Coast and Nechako 0 0.0%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 200 1.5%
Vancouver Island/Coast 400 1.2%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2022-2032)
Public Administration49,200
Finance, insurance and real estate50,900
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services148,000
Educational Services64,500
Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services46,100
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

Though there is a steady stream of new graduates coming into the occupation, there are many positions available to executive assistants in B.C. Specifically, demand is high in the public administration, financial and university/education sectors.

Executive assistants are now using new technologies to achieve greater results and provide more efficient support. As a result, there has been a move away from the traditional support role toward a role as a strategic business partner with greater responsibilities. These may include project management, event planning, strategic planning, financial analysis and public relations.

Resources