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Job outlook for office technicians in the United States
Office technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected office technician job growth rate is -5% from 2018-2028.
About -130,800 new jobs for office technicians are projected over the next decade.
Office technician salaries have increased 16% for office technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 891,690 office technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 82,512 active office technician job openings in the US.
The average office technician salary is $34,956.
Are office technician jobs in demand?
Office technician job and salary trends over time
Office technician jobs over time
Office technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 891,690 | 0.26% |
| 2020 | 962,610 | 0.29% |
| 2019 | 1,021,143 | 0.31% |
| 2018 | 1,027,182 | 0.31% |
| 2017 | 1,025,409 | 0.31% |
Average office technician salary over time
Office technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,956 | $16.81 | +3.8% |
| 2025 | $33,680 | $16.19 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $32,384 | $15.57 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $31,167 | $14.98 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $30,257 | $14.55 | +3.4% |
Office technician jobs by state
Most common states for office technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 205 | 28% |
| 2 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 611 | 19% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 159 | 17% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 117 | 17% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,093 | 16% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 101 | 16% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 818 | 15% |
| 8 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 536 | 15% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 454 | 15% |
| 10 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 196 | 15% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 192 | 14% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 151 | 14% |
| 13 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 2,803 | 13% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,614 | 13% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,138 | 13% |
| 16 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,082 | 13% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 848 | 13% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 729 | 13% |
| 19 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 716 | 13% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 74 | 13% |
Most common cities for office technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South San Francisco | 3 | 4% | $38,103 |
| 2 | Kankakee | 1 | 4% | $32,441 |
| 3 | Lebanon | 1 | 4% | $34,898 |
| 4 | Fairbanks | 1 | 3% | $40,745 |
| 5 | Lincoln | 5 | 2% | $27,593 |
| 6 | Burnsville | 1 | 2% | $35,134 |
| 7 | Duluth | 1 | 1% | $36,807 |
| 8 | Lake Charles | 1 | 1% | $25,664 |
| 9 | McKinney | 1 | 1% | $26,255 |
| 10 | Melbourne | 1 | 1% | $28,014 |
| 11 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $41,087 |
| 12 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $25,829 |
| 13 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $27,777 |
| 14 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $36,839 |
| 15 | Fresno | 1 | 0% | $36,845 |
| 16 | Minneapolis | 1 | 0% | $35,288 |
| 17 | Modesto | 1 | 0% | $37,124 |
Office Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of office technician experts
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Ohio University - Lancaster Campus
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Dixie State University
West Virginia State University
Christi Patton Luks
Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic AffairsMissouri University of Science & Technology
Linda & Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Office Technician job market given the pandemic?
Christi Patton Luks: I think that the pandemic has proven to everyone that online education can work. I think this will increase the number of undergraduates that want to take a course or two online while they are working on internship or co-op positions and professionals returning to school virtually for additional credentials and training. Some engineering jobs have been moved to work-from-home successfully, but many still need to be on site. Flexibility will continue, however.
What's a good job out of college for Office Technicians?
Christi Patton Luks: A good job out of college is one that can be adapted to the individual's skills and interests and encourages them to stretch. Frequently, students think they want to work in a particular type of job. Once they have it, they discover that it was not what they thought it would be. Many companies rotate new employees through a variety of positions. Those are great for helping people find their own hidden talents. I know that I have discovered abilities that I would not have even attempted when I was 20.
Brandy Bailey
Career CoachOhio University - Lancaster Campus
Student Services, Career Services
What soft skills should all Office Technicians possess?
Brandy Bailey: Soft skills may vary depending on the employer, industry, and personal opinions. My biggest ones are communication skills, adaptability, self-awareness, teamwork, problem-solving, intercultural competency, creativity or innovation, and time management.
Dr. Robert Longwell-Grice EdD
Recruitment & Scholarship CoordinatorUniversity of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Office of Student Services
What general advice would you give to an Office Technician?
Dr. Robert Longwell-Grice EdD: 1) Assume your first job won't be your last one. It is very common to change jobs/careers/employers; 2) Be a life-long learner. Earn additional credentials/degrees. Attend workshops in your field; 3) Educate yourself about issues of diversity. The world is a diverse place. Your ability to be comfortable with diverse populations will be welcomed by any employer.
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.
Department Chair and Associate Professor of EnglishDixie State University
English Department
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Office Technicians to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.: The great thing about a degree in English is that graduates can find work anywhere: teaching, freelance writing, technical writing, content production, editing, reporting-you name it. There are ample jobs in small towns and large cities in all of these areas. English degrees are also highly valued in a variety of jobs-such as sales, public relations, marketing, and paralegal work-because employers know these applicants, from day one, will have strong skills in writing, communication, critical thinking, and creative thinking.
Anne McConnell Ph.D.
ProfessorWest Virginia State University
English Department
What general advice would you give to an Office Technician?
Anne McConnell Ph.D.: 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.