EA MARKET OVERVIEW

United Kingdom

LONDON

Most Mature Market

London remains the most mature EA market globally. The concentration of UHNW principals, family offices, and international private equity firms creates sustained, high-quality demand for Stage 3 to Stage 5 EAs. The market has been active for decades and the talent pool is well-established, though increasingly competitive at the senior end.

Stage 3 and Stage 4 supply is tightening materially. The pipeline of candidates with genuine UHNW or family office experience is limited, and those individuals are rarely actively looking. TalentSmiths searches Elevate first for every London mandate because the best candidates are not on the market.

Compensation has moved significantly. Base salaries across Stage 3 to Stage 5 are up approximately 14% over the past two years, driven by competition from US-headquartered firms expanding their London presence and by principals who have experienced poor hires and are now willing to pay for quality.

The most active principal types in London are UHNW individuals, family offices, and dual principals. PE-backed founders and Series B to D startups are also active, though they typically recruit at Stage 2 to Stage 3 and are more price-sensitive on total compensation.

For full compensation tables, see the EA Salary Guide 2026.

United States

NEW YORK

Highest Compensation Globally

New York carries the highest EA compensation of any TalentSmiths market. Hedge fund, private equity, and family office demand drives Stage 4 and Stage 5 packages that routinely exceed those seen in London, even accounting for currency differences. Total compensation at Stage 5 can reach $420k+ when bonus and benefits are included.

Time-to-fill in New York is the longest of any TalentSmiths city. The most senior candidates are deeply embedded in their current roles and require a compelling reason to move. Principals who engage TalentSmiths for a New York search should expect a thorough process and should not attempt to compress the timeline.

The market is most competitive for Stage 4 and Stage 5 EAs. Candidates at this level receive multiple approaches and are selective about who they speak with. TalentSmiths Elevate membership is particularly valuable in New York because it means the candidate already has a relationship with the firm before any mandate is discussed.

Hedge funds and PE firms dominate the principal landscape. Family offices are also highly active, particularly multi-family offices that have grown significantly since 2020. Corporate demand exists but is less prominent at the senior end.

For full compensation tables, see the EA Salary Guide 2026.

United States

MIAMI

Fast-Growing Market

Miami has become one of the fastest-growing EA markets in the United States. The post-2020 migration of UHNW individuals and family offices from the Northeast, combined with the relocation of several significant financial firms, has created demand that the local talent supply has not kept pace with.

Supply is the defining challenge in Miami. The city does not yet have the depth of senior EA talent that New York or London carry. TalentSmiths has had consistent success placing relocation candidates from New York and London into Miami mandates, and principals should be open to this approach.

Compensation in Miami is competitive with New York at the senior end, partly because principals are aware of the supply constraint and are willing to pay a premium to secure the right candidate. Stage 4 and Stage 5 packages are often structured with significant non-cash benefits to attract relocation candidates.

The most active principal types are UHNW individuals who have relocated from the Northeast, family offices, and PE-backed founders who have moved their operations to Florida. The market is still maturing and TalentSmiths expects continued growth in mandate volume over the next two to three years.

For full compensation tables, see the EA Salary Guide 2026.

United States

SAN FRANCISCO

Technology-Adjacent Market

San Francisco is a technology-adjacent EA market. The dominant principal types are technology founders, venture-backed executives, and family offices that have grown from technology wealth. This shapes the nature of the roles: EA-Chief of Staff hybrid positions are more common here than in any other TalentSmiths market.

The market has been stabilising following the post-2022 correction in technology valuations. Demand contracted sharply during the correction period as companies reduced headcount and principals deferred hiring decisions. The market has since recovered, though it has not returned to the peak activity levels of 2021.

Equity compensation is less common than it was at the peak of the technology cycle. Principals who previously structured EA packages with significant equity components have largely moved to cash-based compensation, which has simplified benchmarking but reduced the upside available to candidates.

The EA-CoS hybrid role is a defining feature of the San Francisco market. Candidates who can operate at the intersection of executive support and strategic project management are in high demand. TalentSmiths has developed specific criteria for assessing candidates for these hybrid roles, which require a different profile from a traditional EA placement.

For full compensation tables, see the EA Salary Guide 2026.

United States

AUSTIN

Fastest Growing TalentSmiths Market

Austin is the fastest-growing TalentSmiths market by mandate volume. The relocation of major technology companies, the growth of the local startup ecosystem, and the continued migration of UHNW individuals from California and the Northeast have created demand that significantly outpaces local supply.

Supply is the most acute challenge in Austin. The city has a smaller established EA talent pool than any other TalentSmiths market, and the pace of demand growth has widened the gap. Relocation candidates from New York and London are performing particularly well in Austin mandates, and TalentSmiths actively presents this option to principals.

Compensation in Austin is competitive with San Francisco and in some cases exceeds it, driven by the supply constraint and by principals who have experienced the cost of a poor hire and are now investing appropriately in the search. Stage 3 and Stage 4 packages have moved materially upward over the past 18 months.

The most active principal types are technology founders who have relocated from California, PE-backed executives, and UHNW individuals who have established primary or secondary residences in Texas. The market is expected to continue growing and TalentSmiths has invested in deepening its Austin-specific Elevate membership.

For full compensation tables, see the EA Salary Guide 2026.