Compiler writers can target high-level languages too; it's not uncommon to see e.g., a Blub-to-C compiler which leaves the asm parts to a different toolchain. (Lots of languages without the goal of producing native code target even higher-level languages, for example JS.)
Another popular way to _sort of_ avoid assembly is to target the LLVM IR (intermediate representation), in which case LLVM takes care of optimization and producing processor-specific machine code for a bunch of CPU types. But LLVM IR is basically a fancy assembly language.
Another popular way to _sort of_ avoid assembly is to target the LLVM IR (intermediate representation), in which case LLVM takes care of optimization and producing processor-specific machine code for a bunch of CPU types. But LLVM IR is basically a fancy assembly language.