Executive Assistants

(NOC 1222)

in All Business, Finance, and Administration

Executive assistants coordinate administrative procedures, public relations activities and research and analysis functions for members of legislative assemblies, ministers, deputy ministers, corporate officials and executives, committees and boards of directors. They work for governments, corporations and associations.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 65 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

  • Estimate 3555 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 9370 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

While job growth and retirements are expected to drive opportunites, some competition for positions is likely to occur due to individuals in related occupations, such as administrative officers, looking to move up and further their career. This should lead to fairly balanced job prospects for this occupation. In addition, internal hiring for Executive Assistants is common within firms, limiting opportunites for external candidates.

Hourly Pay

$15.83

Minimum

$30.29

Median

$33.24

Maximum

Annual Pay

$22,606

Minimum

$50,844

Median

$73,997

Maximum

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$23.00

Median

$38.50

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,754

Minimum

$36,515

Median

$70,271

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Executive assistants coordinate administrative procedures, public relations activities and research and analysis functions for members of legislative assemblies, ministers, deputy ministers, corporate officials and executives, committees and boards of directors. They work for governments, corporations and associations.

Job duties

Executive assistants:

  • Create and coordinate administrative policies and procedures for officials, committees and boards of directors.
  • Analyze incoming and outgoing documents, submissions and reports and prepare the submission of summary briefs and reports to executives, committees and boards of directors.
  • Prepare agendas and plan committee, board and other meetings.
  • Do research, compile data, and prepare papers for consideration and presentation by executives, committees and boards of directors.
  • Meet with individuals, special interest groups and others on behalf of executives, committees and boards of directors to discuss issues and assess and recommend various courses of action.
  • Communicate with departmental and corporate officials and with other organizations and associations on behalf of executives, committees and boards of directors.

Sample job titles

  • committee clerk
  • constituency assistant
  • corporate secretary
  • executive assistant
  • legislative assistant
  • medical information assistant
  • ministerial assistant
  • parliamentary assistant
  • special assistant

Skills

  • You need excellent communication, organizational, and negotiation skills. You must have initiative and be willing to accept new ideas and take risks. The ability to analyze detailed information accurately and quickly is necessary to make decisions. Familiarity with computers would be helpful.

Job requirements

  • High school is required.
  • A bachelor's degree in public administration, political science or a related discipline is usually required.

Other considerations

  • Experience in a related administrative position is usually required.

By the numbers

Quick look

880

employed in 2016

92.6%

employed full-time

1.1%

self employed

90.3%
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9.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
51.1

median age

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

63,775

employed in 2016

78.4%

employed full-time

6.6%

self employed

73.4%
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26.6%
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47.9

median age

Where will I likely work?

70.5%

Halifax

$52,129 median annual income
9.1%

Annapolis Valley

$45,892 median annual income
8.5%

Southern

$48,179 median annual income
7.4%

North Shore

$49,924 median annual income
4.5%

Cape Breton

$47,636 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

30.8%

Public administration

9.4%

Educational services

8.8%

Finance and insurance

7.5%

Professional, scientific and technical services

7.5%

Other services (except public administration)

What is the age of Employment?

35.0%

45-54

26.0%

55-64

20.0%

35-44

11.0%

25-34

6.0%

65+

2.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

26.3%

45-54

22.6%

55-64

19.4%

35-44

16.7%

25-34

7.5%

65+

Top levels of education

38.6%

College Diploma

$49,684 median annual income
19.9%

Bachelor

$50,848 median annual income
18.8%

High school

$48,873 median annual income
6.3%

Trade Certification

$52,628 median annual income
6.3%

Diploma Below Bachelor

$48,310 median annual income

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

33.8%

College Diploma

$36,304 median annual income
23.8%

High school

$32,903 median annual income
22.8%

Bachelor

$41,755 median annual income
5.8%

Trade Certification

$34,807 median annual income
4.9%

Less than high school

$23,174 median annual income

Education & training

Business/Commerce

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and non-profit public and private institutions and agencies. They prepare students to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Political Science and Government

College or University Program

These programs focus on the systematic study of political institutions and behaviour. They include courses in political philosophy, political theory, comparative government and politics, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, political research methods, studies of the government and politics of specific countries, and studies of specific political institutions and processes.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax, NS

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Association of Administrative Professionals
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.