Personal assistants (PA) and office managers in London are earning an average of £11,000 more a year than some of their regional counterparts, according to a survey by Office Angels and Mysalarychecker.com.
The average salary of a London PA was £32,205 in May, while the average salary for a similar role in the South West, the area recording the lowest average salary for this role, was just £20,879.
The report, which measures average salaries across the permanent and temporary market for administrative and non professional services roles, found that PAs and office managers recorded the highest average annual salaries for permanent positions (£29,490 and £29,568 respectively). These roles also led the annual increases in average salaries (up 4.5% and 3.5%, respectively).
In contrast, receptionists have one of the lowest average salaries across permanent roles (£17,208). In May, customer service roles recorded the greatest annual falls in average salaries (down 6.5%).
David Clubb, managing director at Office Angels, said: “While the average salaries may prove a surprise for some, the duties of today’s PA extend far beyond a secretarial role and the salaries that are being commanded reflect this.
“A PA will often find themselves covering elements of HR, marketing and project management, offering candidates a varied and challenging career choice.
“High-flying executive assistants can command up to £45,000 and in certain sectors, particularly in areas such as banking and financial services, which are typically found in London, the most experienced PAs can earn up to £60,000.”
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