When Should You Hire an EA vs a PA?

At Attic Recruitment, clients often ask us: what’s the difference between a PA (Personal Assistant) and an EA (Executive Assistant) — and when should we hire one over the other?

While the two roles may seem similar, the distinction often lies in the level of responsibility, strategic involvement, and the nature of support provided.

A PA is ideal when you need dedicated support with day-to-day tasks: diary and inbox management, travel coordination, meeting arrangements, and general admin. They are highly organised, proactive, and trusted to keep life running smoothly — both professionally and sometimes personally. If you’re a busy entrepreneur, private household, or small business owner, a great PA can be invaluable in creating space and structure.

An EA, on the other hand, typically supports C-suite executives or senior leaders. Their role is more strategic — managing complex projects, liaising with senior stakeholders, attending meetings, and often acting as a right hand or business partner. EAs are expected to think ahead, exercise discretion and judgement, and may even oversee junior support staff or take on operational responsibilities.

So, when should you hire an EA? When you need someone who can step into meetings on your behalf, filter key decisions, manage internal communication, and act as an extension of your leadership. If you’re scaling your business, managing multiple entities, or leading at board level — an EA is the clear choice.

When is a PA right? When you need exceptional support to bring order, efficiency, and calm to your busy schedule — but not necessarily strategic involvement.

At Attic, we help clients determine exactly what they need and match them with the right assistant to make the biggest impact.