The Best Jobs for Administrative Work

Administrative work is what you do to support the overall operations of a company. While in an administrative role, you often complete clerical work like answering the phone or greeting guests. Along with this, it’s your responsibility to ensure the office is running efficiently. Much of your work is directly related to the organization and communication of the company. You often work with sensitive information and work on strict deadlines. Certain administrative workers have to be highly specialized, especially ones in the legal and medical fields.

While working in an administrative role, you may be responsible for the following tasks:

• Answering phones
• Taking messages
• Sending emails
• Sending mail
• Scheduling meetings
• Scheduling appointments
• Greeting guests
• Checking in guests
• Entering data
• Keeping files organized
• Bookkeeping
• Acting as a liaison to clients
• Operate office machines, like the fax machine, printer, or scanner
• Sending out bills or invoices
• Booking flights and hotel rooms for business trips
• Entering payment information
• Sorting and distributing mail

If you’re interested in administrative work, check out these job titles:

Receptionist

Average Base Pay: $27, 965 per year

A receptionist is the first person a guest sees when they enter an office. They are responsible for making guests feel welcome, answering their questions, getting them checked in, and directing them to the right room. A receptionist also does a wide range of other clerical duties, such as answering phones, entering payment information, organizing files, and sending emails. They are often the primary liaison between an office and the clients or customers who reach out to it.

Mail clerk

Average Base Pay: $28,428 per year

A mail clerk works for either a mail distribution entity, like the United States Postal Service, UPS, or FedEx or in a large company’s mailroom. A postal service mail clerk works at the front desk of a post office. They manage the cash register, work with customers, and sell stamps and other mailing supplies.

A mail clerk who works in a business’s mailroom is responsible for sorting and distributing mail. They make sure each piece of mail gets to the correct department and they prepare any outgoing mail. When sending mail on behalf of the company, they will put on the correct postage.

Data entry specialist

Average Base Pay: $33,216 per year

A data entry specialist uses their typing skills to quickly and efficiently enter data into a database. They need to have a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel or similar datasheet programs. This role may also include taking orders, entering them into a database, and then tracking their progress. Oftentimes, they also take paper data and transfer it to the computer. They need to be an accurate typist and have an aptitude to accurately copy information.

Call center manager

Average Base Pay: $38, 274 per year

A call center manager oversees a team of call center staff members. Their duties include hiring, training, and motivating staff members. They often have a focus on customer support, though they may also be concerned with sales metrics. They are in charge of creating goals for their department and finding ways for their call center agents to stay on task. When a customer has a challenging or unique question or concern, they often speak directly to the call center manager.

Billing clerk

Average Base Pay: $33,519 per year

A billing clerk is responsible for generating invoices to clients or customers. They may send such invoices via email or mail, depending on the company. Another part of their job is generating purchase orders and drafting credit memos. They also keep track of payments and update records as they receive bill payments. They may be in charge of issuing bill payment reminders or late payment fees. It’s their job to be aware of the company’s revenue streams and make sure clients are paying their debts.

Special events coordinator

Average Base Pay: $42,012 per year

A special events coordinator plans and manages the events for a company. This highly organized individual works to understand the requirements of an event, such as the occasion and how many guests will be attending. They meet with vendors to discuss food, drink, entertainment, decorations, and anything else they need for an event. A special events coordinator is also responsible for managing the company’s event budget and keeping track of expenses. On the day of the event, they make sure everything is running smoothly and address and problems that may occur.

Medical office assistant

Average Base Pay: $44,285 per year

A medical office assistant works in a medical facility, such as a hospital, outpatient facility, nursing home, hospice care, or rehabilitation center. They perform clerical duties, such as answering phones, sending emails, scheduling patient appointments, transcribing patient records, checking patients in, entering patients’ insurance information, charging co-pays, and managing patient files. They also may be tasked with creating invoices, filing claims with insurance companies, and taking messages for medical staff.

Administrative assistant

Average Base Pay: $44,285 per year

An administrative assistant works to ensure the communication and operations of an office are running smoothly. Their everyday tasks include answering phones, greeting guests, taking messages, sending emails, and organizing files. They may also work with management to schedule their appointments and meetings. They may even act as a travel agent for business meetings, doing things like booking flights and hotels, organizing transportation, and making reservations.