Administrator
Also advertised as: Administrative Assistant, Administrator, Business Support Assistant, Data Administrator, Office Administrator, Receptionist Administrator
Handles the records, correspondence, bookings and systems that keep a team working.
What the job involves
Administrators are the reliable backbone of an organisation. You process paperwork, keep systems accurate, answer queries, book appointments and support colleagues. It is a common first office job and a springboard into HR, finance, projects and operations.
Typical responsibilities
- Maintain records and databases accurately
- Handle calls, emails and enquiries
- Process forms, invoices and bookings
- Produce documents and reports
- Support colleagues with day-to-day admin
Common employers
- NHS
- Councils
- Schools
- Law firms
- Any employer
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£21,000 – £25,000 a year
With experience
£26,000 – £31,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 hours
Working environment
Office based
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Accuracy
- IT and database skills
- Written communication
- Time management
- Customer service
Transferable skills you may already have
- Cash handling
- Working to procedures
- Dealing with the public
Requirements employers ask for
- Accuracy
- IT and database skills
- Written communication
- Time management
- Customer service
- Usually GCSE English and maths at grade 4 or above
Useful but not essential
- Cash handling
- Working to procedures
- Dealing with the public
- Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship
Helpful qualifications
- Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Business Administrator (Level 3)
- Customer Service Practitioner (Level 2)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Business administration
- Related subject: IT
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Administrator
next
Office Manager
next
HR Assistant
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Widely available entry point to office work
- Transfers into many specialisms
- Predictable hours
What people find hard
- Repetitive tasks
- Lower starting pay
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a administrator?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a administrator earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £21,000 to £25,000 a year, rising towards £31,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Cash handling, Working to procedures, Dealing with the public.
Related careers
Executive Assistant
Supports a senior leader with diary, travel, papers, briefings and confidential work.
Office Manager
Keeps a workplace running: facilities, suppliers, budgets, records and the admin team.
Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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