Salary (re)Negotiation: Treat It Like a Network Cable Contract

If you’re an Executive Assistant, chances are you’re not negotiating your salary as often or as effectively as you should. And no, this isn’t a guilt trip; it’s a wake-up call. Whether you’ve been in the role for two years or twenty, most EAs aren’t advocating for themselves enough—especially when it comes to compensation. So let me break it down for you in a way that makes sense: renegotiating your salary is like renegotiating a network cable contract.

I'll explain.

Every time you add a new channel to your cable package, the old contract becomes void. You’re sent a new contract with updated services, and guess what? It costs more. Why? Because you’re adding value. The same should apply when your executive adds responsibilities to your plate. New roles, new tasks, new expectations—your old contract no longer reflects your job. It’s time for a renegotiation.

Why EAs Don’t Negotiate Enough

Facts: only 34% of women negotiate their salary during the hiring process, compared to 46% of men. And as an EA, you’re likely not renegotiating even when your responsibilities change dramatically. Many EAs stay stuck in the mindset that they’re there to assist, not realizing they’re often running entire departments (often lives) while still getting paid like they’re just booking flights and "doing the calendar."

If you’re waiting for your exec to offer you a raise, stop. They won’t. No one’s coming to rescue you from your paycheck. You have to speak up and show them why your value has increased—because they've added new channels, and it’s time they paid for them.

Here’s How You Do It:

1. Start With the Mental Shift: Understand this—every time your responsibilities grow, your salary should grow, too. Just like when you tack on a premium channel to your cable package. More responsibilities equal more value. Period.
2. Identify the "New Channels": Make a list of every single new responsibility or task you've taken on since your last salary review. Does it fall outside of your original job description? Does it require more skill, time, or attention? That’s your leverage. Write it all down.
3. Quantify the Value You’re Bringing: You’re not just adding tasks; you’re saving your exec time and making them more efficient. Try to attach numbers to this—how many hours do you save them each week? How does this translate to revenue or productivity gains? Executives love numbers, and so should you.
4. Prepare for the Conversation Like a Boss: When you're ready to approach your exec, don't just ask for a raise—present it. Schedule a meeting and come in prepared with your new list of responsibilities, how they exceed your original job description, and the quantifiable value you’re providing. Be direct and professional, but firm.
5. Renegotiate Regularly: Your job is fluid. Every time a new task or role is added that stretches your bandwidth, think of it like adding a new channel to your cable service. Your old contract no longer applies. Set a precedent that whenever more is expected of you, more compensation should follow.

Statistics to Back You Up:

• A whopping 60% of employees don’t negotiate their salary at all during their careers. If you’re in that 60%, you’re losing money.
• Research shows that not negotiating can cost you over $500,000 in lost wages over a career. Do you really want to be underpaid because you didn’t ask?

It's OK to Demand What You Deserve

Executives aren’t mind readers nor are they out to screw you out of money. If you want a raise, you need to ask for it, and you need to treat it like any other service agreement. When the terms change, so does the price. Simple as that. If you’re taking on more responsibilities, your old contract is void. It’s time for a new one that reflects the value you’re bringing.

As EAs, you need to stop accepting the outdated mindset that you're just “the help” and shoudn't "rock the boat" and start recognizing that you're an integral part of the success of execs and their companies. You have the power (read: responsibility) to negotiate. You just need to believe it—and then act on it. I think you'd be surprised to find that it's easier than you think and rather effective when done confidently and with preparation.

Feel free to share this with every EA you know who’s underpaid and overworked. It’s time to change the game. Start negotiating like your career depends on it—because it does.