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What is an administrative staff and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Anne McConnell Ph.D.
introduction image

An administrative staff performs necessary bookkeeping activities and maintains weekly schedules of employees. They provide support to a company and act as the point of contact for all employees. They also manage office supplies stock and place orders as well as maintain and update company databases. An administrative staff prepares reports and presentations with statistical data as assigned, and they earn a median sum of $61,000 annually or $29 per hour.

The administrative staff is tasked with performing multi-tasking duties and coordinating direct mailings. They schedule complex activities, meetings, and events while writing reports and maintaining electronic and physical files. They also coordinate workspace, computer, and supplies for new employees with the IT department as well as resolve administrative problems by coordinating preparation of reports and finding solutions.

Administrative staff typically have an associate's degree in business administration or a similar role and experience with accounting software. They are expected to have attention to detail and the ability to keep records and files organized. Employers mostly prefer candidates with the ability to identify errors and solve problems.

What general advice would you give to an administrative staff?

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 StaffUS Average
Salary
6.0

Avg. Salary $77,101

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.0

Growth rate -8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.73%

Asian 3.82%

Black or African American 9.23%

Hispanic or Latino 16.16%

Unknown 3.87%

White 66.19%

Gender

female 68.05%

male 31.95%

Age - 52
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 - 52
Stress level
6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.4

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Administrative staff career paths

Key steps to become an administrative staff

  1. Explore administrative staff education requirements

    Most common administrative staff degrees

    Bachelor's

    63.3 %

    Associate

    14.2 %

    Master's

    9.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific administrative staff skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Telephone Calls19.07%
    Word Processing16.23%
    Travel Arrangements7.28%
    Payroll6.14%
    Personnel Actions5.55%
  3. Complete relevant administrative staff training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New administrative staff 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 staff based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real administrative staff resumes.
  4. Research administrative staff duties and responsibilities

    • Support medical doctors, manage sensitive and confidential records pertaining to high risk patients with emphasis on accuracy.
    • Prepare PowerPoint presentations for management distribution.
    • Maintain payroll information by collect, calculate and enter data.
    • Prepare briefing slides and presentation material using PowerPoint and Visio.
  5. Prepare your administrative staff resume

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

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an administrative staff resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable administrative staff resume templates

    Build a professional administrative staff resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your administrative staff resume.
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    Administrative Staff Resume
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    Administrative Staff Resume
    Administrative Staff Resume
  6. Apply for administrative staff jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an administrative staff job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first administrative staff job

Archie Matunhay

Administrative Staff, City Economic Enterprises and Business Administration

My name is Archie L. Matunhay “Che-che” a 27 year old lady from the City of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. I’ve worked as Administrative staff in City Economic Enterprises and Business Administration in the City which is under the Local Government Unit – CDO. I’ve been in the Department for 4 years and so far it was an amazing experience, working here is a good feeling where we used to communicate and associate with my co-workers properly. As an Administrative Staff, I experience different kinds of work which enhance my ability and skills.

My journey as an Administrative staff work experience was like a Roller Coaster feeling. Because, as a new job seeker, a fresh graduate student with no experience will create nervousness in my body which I think it’s a normal emotion especially when your manager will give you a task and you think that you cannot meet their high expectation from you. At first, I used to assist a Local Head in the Revenue and from that I transferred to assist the Local Head of the IT sections.

Thus, the opportunity that is given from the company as Administrative staff serve as a challenge in my whole working year. Just like other workers, I used to learn and practice everything, and provide strategies that needed to improve my work. And this is how my work experience has been through.I hope my story will help you with your article. Don't hesitate to email me. Thank you !

Average administrative staff salary

The average administrative staff salary in the United States is $77,101 per year or $37 per hour. Administrative staff salaries range between $58,000 and $101,000 per year.

Average administrative staff salary
$77,101 Yearly
$37.07 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do administrative staff rate their job?

-/5

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Administrative staff reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

Writing a message,Organizing receipts and expenses and sending them out when needed

Cons

Failure to comply with working hours, theft and fraud,


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

It my passion to help people in need. It makes me feel good to see people the Youth do well in the life

Cons

I don't like to see anyone stuck in between and not being helped.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Cons

phones - because of my accent

Pros

everything except phones : Meeting,greeting, customer service, interviewing, on boarding, recruiting, presenting, etc.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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