Time is your scarcest resource. Executives lose nearly 30 percent of their workweek—about 12 hours—to email, calendar triage, and other tasks an assistant could own, according to a 2025 study by Bold Assistants. The right executive assistant returns those hours to you, yet demand now outstrips supply.
We analyzed the staffing firms that fill that gap fastest and with the highest retention. Over the next few minutes, you’ll discover who tops the list, why they lead, and how to choose the partner that fits your world.
Why the EA hiring crunch is real
The right executive assistant staffing partner can turn calendar chaos into focused executive time.
Executives still lose nearly 30 percent of their workweek to email, calendar triage, and other tasks an assistant could manage, according to the same Bold Assistants study. Multiply that time across a leadership team and entire days of strategic focus disappear.
Demand for help is climbing. Joss Search’s 2024 market report logged a record number of executive-support placements in the past 12 months—even in cautious sectors such as private equity. On LinkedIn, Bay-Area EA job postings rose from about 400 in March 2025 to more than 1,000 in September 2025, more than doubling the visible talent hunt.
The supply side tells a different story. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for executive secretaries and administrative assistants will dip 2 percent between 2024 and 2034. Automation trims routine clerical roles while leaders add meetings, projects, and travel, so the queue for top-tier EAs grows even as the pipeline thins.
That imbalance turns a “simple” hire into a multi-week distraction. Specialized agencies step in with pre-vetted networks and human-led matchmaking. Next, you’ll see how we scored those agencies and why five of them stand out for 2026.
How we ranked the contenders
We built a 15-agency longlist from search results, industry reports, and peer referrals, then scored each firm on five factors:
We ranked executive assistant staffing agencies on five weighted factors, from specialization to modern practices.
- Specialization (40 percent) – Depth of focus on executive-assistant roles
- Candidate quality (25 percent) – Vetting rigor, first-shortlist to final-hire rate, and documented retention
- Speed to shortlist (15 percent) – Time from kickoff to first vetted candidates
- Client satisfaction (15 percent) – Testimonials, Net Promoter Scores, and repeat-business data
- Modern practices (5 percent) – Technology, remote offerings, and other forward-looking methods that lift results
We awarded points only when claims were backed by public data or client references.
C-Suite Assistants, for example, publishes employer guidance that outlines a three-to-four-week executive-assistant search drawing on a proprietary database of more than 100,000 candidates and a screening process that includes phone interviews, in-depth video or in-person conversations, and optional skills and language testing before any résumé is sent to a client.
Firms that could show this level of documented process and results rose to the top for both measured outcomes and future-focused thinking.
1. C-Suite Assistants: when chemistry matters more than keywords
Founded in 2003 in New York City, C-Suite Assistants recruits only executive-level assistants and now places talent nationwide. The process starts with a 45-minute intake call that surfaces work-style quirks, such as midnight voice notes or a hoodie-casual culture, before résumés ever appear.
C-Suite Assistants focuses exclusively on executive-level assistants, making chemistry and long-term fit a priority.
That human-first focus pays off. A 2024 internal study found that AI résumé filters missed 37 percent of soft-skill cues critical to senior support roles, echoing Harvard Business School findings on automated hiring gaps (HBS, 2023). Their deep dive on AI vs human recruitment for assistants shows algorithms can parse keywords yet still can’t tell how a candidate handles pressure, manages boundaries, or earns an executive’s trust—nuances C-Suite recruiters evaluate face-to-face. Because C-Suite maintains a live database of more than 100,000 career EAs, most clients receive a vetted shortlist in five business days.
Pricing stays industry standard at roughly 20 percent of first-year salary, with a 90-day replacement guarantee. Recent FAQs note an average three-to-four-week search-to-hire timeline.
Ideal fit
- CEOs who value discretion and long-term partnership
- Companies that prefer a curated slate over résumé volume
Watch-out
Boutique focus means higher fees than high-volume shops, and the firm works only within the United States.
For leaders who view an assistant as a strategic partner, C-Suite delivers chemistry first, credentials second, and often faster than a do-it-yourself search.
2. Tiger Recruitment: global reach for executives who play on an international stage
Founded in 2001 and now operating from London, New York, Dubai, Zurich, and Dublin, Tiger Recruitment pairs boutique service with worldwide coverage. Consultants in each office share candidate intel daily, so a Wall Street CFO can review profiles from London or Cape Town within the same search, which is essential when you need a Mandarin-speaking EA who understands IPO roadshows.
Tiger Recruitment combines boutique service with global reach for executive assistants who work across borders and time zones.
Why it stands out
- Fast delivery: Tiger promises a vetted shortlist in 48–72 hours for permanent roles and can fill most positions within three weeks.
- Quality control: The firm screens more candidates than it submits, preferring a tight slate of ready-to-perform professionals.
- Search models: Most mandates run on premium contingency or part-retained fees; rates sit at the upper end of the market, reflecting global sourcing and high-touch service.
Ideal fit
- Executives with cross-border schedules or multilingual environments
- Family offices or UHNWIs needing discreet, high-touch support
Watch-out
Premium pricing and a formal process can feel heavy for early-stage startups hiring their first EA.
If your calendar looks like a flight map and you refuse to compromise on quality, Tiger’s network keeps every time zone within reach.
3. Pocketbook Agency: the hybrid ace for leaders whose business and personal lives overlap
Founded: 2014, Los Angeles | Core focus: Executive and Personal Assistants
Pocketbook Agency specializes in hybrid executive and personal assistants for leaders whose work and life overlap.
Pocketbook Agency excels when one gatekeeper handles board meeting at 10 a.m. and birthday dinner at 7 p.m. Recruiters begin each search by mapping what portion of the role is corporate versus personal, since many founders answer “all of it.” They then screen for high-EQ candidates who can edit an investor deck at 10 a.m. and book Coachella travel at noon.
Why it works
- Versatile talent pool. Many candidates have supported film producers, fashion CEOs, and venture capital partners, so rapid context switching feels routine.
- Speed with fit. Long-standing relationships in entertainment and tech hubs let Pocketbook deliver a curated shortlist in five to ten business days.
- Standard economics. Fees hover around 20 percent of first-year salary and include a typical 90-day guarantee.
Ideal fit
- Founders, celebrities, or family offices that need a single, trusted point of contact for work and life logistics
- Companies that weigh culture and discretion as highly as scheduling skill
Watch-out
Premium candidates come at a premium cost, and the firm’s strongest network centers on major U.S. metros, so smaller markets may wait longer.
When both your P&L and your personal calendar depend on the same right hand, Pocketbook Agency provides the assistant who keeps every detail aligned—quietly and expertly.
4. Wing Assistant: a tech-powered shortcut for founders who need help yesterday
Need an assistant this week rather than this quarter? Wing Assistant runs a subscription model that matches you with a full-time remote EA in 24–48 hours. Pricing starts at $1,999 per month for a 40-hour week, well below the total cost of a U.S. hire, and it includes payroll, benefits, and a dedicated Client Success Manager.
Wing Assistant offers a tech-powered, subscription-based executive assistant model with full-time remote support in as little as 24–48 hours.
How it works
- Complete a short brief outlining time zone, tools, and top tasks.
- Wing recruiters shortlist pre-vetted assistants, primarily in the Philippines, India, and Mexico, trained on Slack, Google Workspace, and common CRMs.
- Start delegating. Standard training and the Wing Workspace app add screen-time analytics, task dashboards, and AI nudges. If chemistry feels off, Wing swaps the assistant at no cost.
Ideal fit
- Seed-stage founders or lean teams that need reliable executive admin without a six-figure salary
- Leaders comfortable working asynchronously across time zones
Watch-out
Wing excels at routine admin such as calendar, inbox, travel, and research. For high-stakes board prep or on-site duties, a traditional search firm may feel safer. Expect some overlap gaps for real-time support outside core U.S. hours.
For scrappy companies, Wing turns the executive assistant from a luxury expense into a predictable operating cost and can be activated in a click.
5. Maven Recruiting Group: culture-driven matches for high-growth tech
Founded: 2010, San Francisco | Core focus: Administrative and EA talent for venture-backed companies
Maven Recruiting Group specializes in culture-driven executive assistant hires for high-growth, venture-backed teams.
Silicon Valley lives on Slack threads and product pivots; Maven Recruiting Group hires the executive assistants who thrive in that environment. Recruiters treat every search like a brand-alignment exercise, asking how decisions get made, which emojis dominate team chats, and whether leadership prefers Zoom hoodies or boardroom blazers.
Proof in the numbers
- Maven’s 2024 data shows an average 24-day time-to-fill for admin roles, down from 34 days in 2022.
- Clients report multi-year EA tenures, unusual in a region where the median stint is 18 months.
- Fee model: 20–25 percent of first-year salary, backed by a replacement guarantee.
Beyond placement, Maven coaches first-time founders on scope, compensation, and onboarding rituals, helping them avoid costly mis-hires.
Ideal fit
- Venture-backed teams chasing rapid scale and seeking culture-aligned support
- Leaders who want an EA as a strategic partner, not a task runner
Watch-out
The network is strongest on the West Coast; searches in secondary markets may take longer. Fees land near the middle of the industry range, not bargain level.
For tech leaders who believe the right assistant can stretch runway longer than the next funding round, Maven turns culture fit into a hiring science.
Honorable mentions worth considering
Sometimes broader reach beats niche focus. These five firms didn’t make our 2026 short-list, but each solves a specific hiring puzzle.
| Agency | Quick win | When to use |
| Robert Half OfficeTeam | Nationwide branch network can deliver a temp EA in as little as 48 hours | Same-day coverage or temp-to-hire trials |
| Beacon Hill Staffing Group | 60-plus U.S. offices and multiple specialty divisions give you volume without losing a human touch | You need scale but still want recruiter attention |
| Tandym Group (formerly Execu | Search) | Deep roots in New York finance and healthcare create a steady pipeline of admin talent |
| Randstad | The Relevate matching engine and the recent Torc acquisition tap more than 25,000 digital specialists, speeding fill rates | High-volume or multi-location hires where speed rules |
| Adecco | 300-plus U.S. locations place 32,000 associates on assignment each week | Large office rollouts or seasonal surges needing dozens of support staff |
A spot outside the top five doesn’t mean “off the table.” Match the strengths above to your timeline, budget, and geography, and one of these giants may fit your search.
Where to go from here
The right agency choice comes down to one equation: hours saved versus dollars spent.
- Need white-glove precision? Start with C-Suite Assistants or Tiger Recruitment.
- Work and life blend? Pocketbook Agency excels at hybrid EA/PA roles.
- Tight budget, zero time? Wing Assistant can place a full-time remote EA in under 48 hours for about $2,000 per month.
- Culture-obsessed tech scale-up? Maven Recruiting Group matches on values first, skills second.
Two trends will shape 2026:
- Human plus AI hiring. Harvard Business School found that automated résumé filters screen out up to 75 percent of qualified applicants for soft-skill roles (HBS, 2024). Agencies that combine algorithms with seasoned intuition will win.
- Borderless talent. Remote job posts for executive assistants in Latin America and Eastern Europe rose 38 percent year over year on Upwork in 2025, widening options but raising the bar on cultural fluency and data security.
Next steps:
- Draft a one-page scorecard that lists must-have skills, time-to-fill ceiling, budget cap, and cultural non-negotiables.
- Book 15-minute discovery calls with your top two agencies. Share the scorecard exactly as written; clear inputs can cut search time in half.
- Plan a 30-day onboarding sprint with your eventual hire. Agencies often have templates—ask for them at the start.
Spend two focused hours on those tasks and you can reclaim days, maybe weeks, every quarter. That is a return on investment the board will notice.