What is an administrative services supervisor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Anne McConnell Ph.D.

An administrative services supervisor manages the administrative functions of an organization. They oversee administrative staff, manage budgets, and ensure that the office runs smoothly. These supervisors are also responsible for developing and implementing important workplace policies. They may even be involved in hiring and training new staff, managing office supplies, coordinating meetings and events, and handling customer complaints. Overall, an administrative services supervisor plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficient operation of an organization.

What general advice would you give to an administrative services supervisor?

Anne McConnell Ph.D.

Professor, West Virginia State University

I would say it's important to be very attentive to the way you communicate with your employers, managers, and co-workers. Even sending an e-mail can be an opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism and communication skills. Some people think that no one knows how to write anymore, or how to communicate in a professional way. I don't think that's true. But we don't always think about how our writing can be a tool to communicate our competence and seriousness. If you know how to write and communicate professionally-which college grads do-then make sure to demonstrate that in the workplace.

ScoreAdministrative Services SupervisorUS Average

Salary

5.1

Avg. Salary $64,773

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.0

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.48%

Asian 4.34%

Black or African American 10.16%

Hispanic or Latino 13.99%

Unknown 4.33%

White 66.70%

Gender

female 70.01%

male 29.99%

Age - 51

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 51

Stress level

8.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an administrative services supervisor?

Pros

Good pay and benefits
Opportunities for advancement within the organization
Opportunity to mentor and train other employees
Learn valuable management skills
Gain experience in budgeting and financial management

Cons

High-stress job with demanding workload
Long hours, including evenings and weekends
Dealing with difficult employees, clients, or situations
Limited autonomy due to organizational policies and procedures
Balancing competing demands from multiple departments or stakeholders

Key steps to become an administrative services supervisor

Explore administrative services supervisor education requirements

Most common administrative services supervisor degrees

Bachelor's

52.5 %

Associate

24.9 %

Master's

11.7 %

Start to develop specific administrative services supervisor skills

Skills	Percentages
Support Services	12.62%
Payroll	11.68%
Professional Development	8.83%
Performance Evaluations	7.68%
Customer Service	6.08%

Complete relevant administrative services supervisor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New administrative services supervisors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an administrative services supervisor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real administrative services supervisor resumes.

Research administrative services supervisor duties and responsibilities

Manage staff responsible for payroll, archives, reporting, accounts payable, petty cash and administrative functions.
Manage and coordinate complex internal and external meetings and/or events via videoconferencing, WebEx and teleconference calls.
Provide talent payroll and business management services to advertising industry as executive producer.
Arrange and confirm travel reservations selecting an economical and time efficient mode of transportation and lodging through corporate travel agency.

Prepare your administrative services supervisor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your administrative services supervisor resume.

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