Compensation - Executive Assistant to VP - Am I getting ripped off?!

Bristol-Myers Squibb / HR
getmeowth

Go to company page Bristol-Myers Squibb HR

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Bristol-Myers Squibb, GCI Health, Dotdash
getmeowth
Jun 3, 2020 143 Comments

Hi All,

I started working at BMS (pharma company) a few months ago. I’m in one of the offices in NJ, but have been working from home.

I’ve realized that I most probably have gotten ripped off in TC. Base is 77k and bonus is 3k. I have been working a lot of overtime, but have not been getting paid for it (because I’m salaried, of course, but it just doesn’t feel right).

I am the EA to a VP, and I feel like I am being underpaid, especially with all of the projects being handed to me. I feel like it’s because of my age and experience, and that makes me feel even worse because I’ve been open to helping everyone and anyone out (that’s just how I am - and I’m starting to see that although it’s a blessing, it’s also a huge curse since I get taken advantage of in the workplace with a huge workload).

I wanted to know thoughts from other EAs and any executives at other companies.

Thank you!!!

P.S. - this is probably the wrong category, but it’s one of the only ones that show up for me.

#compensation #money #executiveassistant #executive

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TOP 143 Comments
  • Fluke
    PwEo63

    Go to company page Fluke

    PwEo63
    With OT EAs to VP here get paid 80-90k
    Jun 3, 2020 11
    • Microsoft / Eng
      germnshepr

      Go to company page Microsoft Eng

      germnshepr
      Work on moving into PM. Or business ops. Or anything else.
      Dec 17, 2020
    • DBOX / Creative
      tgn

      DBOX Creative

      tgn
      I knew someone who worked as an EA in nyc about 8 years ago, we were good friends. Low base salary at 65k, but rent paid for and at christmas got about 20k as cash bonus.
      Jan 7, 2021
  • NextGate
    Soulutions

    NextGate

    Soulutions
    How much do assistants expect to get paid? I can’t imagine having an EA make more than 100k
    Jun 7, 2020 15
    • Lyft
      snlc

      Go to company page Lyft

      snlc
      You’re insane. I’m getting 150k base. Stop treating EAs like ‘50s secretaries. We do a lot more than that.
      Feb 7, 2021
    • Fujitsu
      otnt2021

      Go to company page Fujitsu

      otnt2021
      First, put in the time and effort to build your power (your vp needs you) go in with facts and how your expertise is adding value, delegate as much as you can fostering a team approach. Give credit where it's due but make sure your vp knows you are involved in making it happen....when you talk to them discuss your career path and where you want to go to build a mentor relationship so they can see you are looking to add value but ultimately you are looking for long term growth. If they don't listen and support your ambition, start looking for something else...or look for alternatives within the company that would level you up.
      Feb 23, 2021
  • Google
    pokesam

    Go to company page Google

    pokesam
    You are absolutely getting ripped off. I am a Silicon Valley EA and never made this little, even with no experience, lol. I have a BA from CAL and was a receptionist, artist and model prior to being an EA.

    2016 - 2017 // EA to MD at IB on Sandhill // 0 years experience // Total Comp 92K (68K base salary, 7K bonus, 15k OT
    2018 // EA to Directors at Facebook // 2 years experience // Total Comp 115K (78k base, 12k equity, 14k bonus, 11k OT)
    2019 // EA to Chief Safety Officer at Waymo // 3 years experience // Total comp on offer letter was 105k base salary, 15% bonus, 15k signing bonus, 165K equity.

    I wound up at with a 20% bonus at end of year, an additional 5K in bonuses throughout the year and a 11% raise.

    I just left Waymo for Google to support a VP there. My stubs at Waymo as of last week reflect $118k for the year thus far. There is a lot more money in being an EA than people think.
    Jun 24, 2020 9
    • Facebook
      RSUsCastle

      Go to company page Facebook

      RSUsCastle
      “And model prior to being an EA”. Speaks a lot about corruption when it comes to hiring. Put an african american on your resume, scrub the artist and model, she’d be working at in-n-out
      Mar 2, 2021
    • New
      mnmj8

      New

      mnmj8
      And how you get now as EA to VP at Google?
      Jul 2, 2021
  • Apple
    kELm72

    Go to company page Apple

    kELm72
    This is a decent offer for EA role, not a low ball.
    Jun 3, 2020 6
    • Sony
      koka123

      Go to company page Sony

      koka123
      @Amazon what was your next step after EA? I am an admin with 10+ YOE making $68k plus $10k bonus. Feeling like I need to make a move to somewhere that pays better. Location: Bay Area
      Jan 17, 2021
    • Adobe
      grndhgphl

      Go to company page Adobe

      grndhgphl
      @koka123 you can definitely make more working for FAANG or other tech companies
      Feb 10, 2021
  • Im an EA and I used to make $130k TC then joined Microsoft and now getting paid about $75k and that includes OT. EAs don’t get stock/bonus at Microsoft and treated like maids.

    Yes you’re getting lowballed.
    Nov 16, 2020 5
    • @apple sounds like you don't work closely with any EAs. What do you think our job entails? It certainly is not "just" moving stuff around on the calendar. We guard time--and isn't that a hugely important asset whether you're an IC or VP? Good EAs are not "yes men/women". We assess multiple pressing requests and help leaders pivot to priorities. It's hard to quantify the impact of an EA because all the work goes unseen when things are running smoothly. We represent our leaders in all our communications to the team, and people look to us for company resources, empathy/care for the entire org. We get the inside scoop (on both our boss' bosses and underlings), and we are the eyes and ears for the execs. Now more than ever, in this virtual environment, we help our leaders stay connected to the rest of the team (e.g. someone just had a baby, someone just lost their loved one). We work our butts off to make leaders look informed/prepared. So ya, we appreciate when we are appreciated! Feedback to our manager is the BEST way to show your appreciation, but Bravos and GCs are a nice way to say that what we do has been of good help to you. Besides the top ranking EAs, in general our pay ratio is way below those of "technical" ICs so money-adjacent gifts are super nice.
      Jan 26, 2021
    • @apple do you expect a bonus to do your job? EAs are often at the bottom of the list when bonus comes around. I have seen their dollars used to round up other ICs. Also, most large companies that CAN afford to give equity don’t because of an antiquated mindset. So though it’s not an expectation, yes a gift card is very much appreciated.

      @sksnbbh877 what a thoughtful question. You sound like a great human. I’ve been an EA for 12+ years. A simple Thank You makes our day.
      Nov 13, 2021