An admin keeps an office running smoothly by handling clerical tasks, scheduling meetings, managing records and acting as the first point of contact for customers. That’s the short answer to what does an admin do.
If you’re wondering what does admin stand for, it’s short for administrator or administration. This guide from our Staffing Services Washington, DC team explains what does an administrator do daily, plus skills, salary and career path.
What Do Administrators Do on a Daily Basis?
The meaning of admin work is simple: keep information, people and schedules organized.
Typical Daily Tasks
On a typical day, an administrator:
- Prepares and stores documents in paper and digital form
- Answers phone and email queries
- Manages diaries
- Takes minutes at meetings
- Updates database records
- Orders office supplies
- Handles mail distribution
- Liaises with finance, HR and other departments
The Bigger Picture
So, what are the duties of an administration team? The duties of administration department staff centre on records, communication and office support.
Ask what does administration do, and the answer is simple: it keeps the business moving.
In-Demand Skills for Administrators
For employers, the question of what do admin mean usually comes down to skills. Franklin University’s analysis of 25,723 job postings puts office management and communication at the top of employers’ wish lists.
Strong IT skills also matter, because admins process large amounts of information on a computer.
Employers, including those using temporary staffing Maryland services, prefer candidates who are detail oriented, organized and good at customer service, since the admin is often the first person clients speak to.
These skills fall into two groups: specialized and common.
Top Specialized Skills for Administrators
Specialized skills are the job-specific abilities employers look for. Office management leads the list and appears in 37% of postings.
Accounting follows at 32%, then billing at 25%, accounts receivable at 22% and accounts payable at 19%.
Finance skills are also in demand, which shows that many administrators handle money as well as paperwork.
Confident use of Microsoft Office and database software ties these skills together. Learn more in our guide on Software Skills for Administrative Assistants.
Top Common Skills for Administrators
Common skills are the soft skills that apply in any office. Communication is the most requested and appears in 44% of postings.
Management follows at 42%, operations at 37%, leadership at 29% and customer service at 23%.
Admins also need to work well with others and on their own, stay flexible and open to change, and remain calm in a fast-paced environment.
Administrator Qualifications and Education
If you’re asking what is administrator training really like, the good news is that entry requirements are modest.
UK Requirements
In England, most employers ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 5, including Maths and English. In Scotland, the equivalent is National 5 qualifications at grades A to C.
Some roles also ask for A Levels or previous experience.
US Requirements
In the US, 44.57% of office administrator jobs require only high school, while 41.29% ask for a bachelor’s degree.
Basic accounting or finance training can give you an extra edge.
How to Become an Administrator
There’s no single route into the role. Common options include:
- College course: You can start with a business administration and IT course at a local college or training provider.
- Apprenticeship: If you’re over 16, an apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn, working at least 30 hours a week while splitting time with college.
- Traineeship: Those aged 16 to 24 may qualify for a traineeship lasting two weeks to six months.
- Work experience: Work experience strengthens your CV, and admin experience from another sector transfers easily.
In construction, you may also need a CSCS card to work on site.
How Much Does an Administrator Earn?
US Salary
An office administrator in the US earns about $48,019 a year on average, or roughly $23.09 an hour.
The bottom 10% earn around $31,200, while the top 10% make close to $72,000. Location matters too: Washington is among the highest-paying states at about $59,697 a year.
UK Salary
In the UK construction sector, newly trained administrators start at around £21,000, and experienced ones earn up to £38,000.
Your pay depends on location, employer, level of responsibility and any overtime you work.
Administrator Career Path and Progression
So who are the administrators at the top of the ladder? Most start as an administrative assistant or receptionist and build core office and software skills there.
Moving Up
With experience, you can move up to executive assistant, office manager or operations manager, taking charge of staff, budgets and processes.
Others become senior administrators or document controllers, or move into human resources.
Certifications That Help
Certifications such as the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or Project Management Professional (PMP) can open senior roles.
Ask what does administrator mean as a career, and the answer is growth across healthcare, finance, education and technology.
