STARTING SALARIES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS RISE IN 2006
Human Resources Assistant, Medical Office Personnel Among Positions in Demand

Reflecting growing hiring demand, base compensation for administrative professionals across the country is expected to rise an average of six percent in 2006, according to the OfficeTeam 2006 Salary Guide. This compares with an average starting salary increase of three percent projected this time last year.

The 2006 Salary Guide is based on an analysis of the thousands of job placements managed by OfficeTeam's local offices.

“As hiring in many industries continues to pick up, companies are boosting starting salary levels to attract the best candidates,” said Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam. “Administrative professionals with advanced skills -- particularly technology proficiency -- and relevant work experience will be able to command the highest compensation.”

Industry Trends
The healthcare field will provide numerous employment opportunities for administrative professionals who have specialized skill sets and industry knowledge. Domeyer notes that administrative professionals in this sector are expected to be familiar with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

Other industries anticipated to accelerate their hiring of administrative professionals include financial services, real estate and manufacturing. Since opportunities vary by geographic region, the Salary Guide provides regional variance data to help users adjust national ranges for specific markets.

Specialties in Demand
The growing complexity and change characterizing the healthcare industry is generating demand for administrative professionals with relevant expertise and experience. Starting salaries for medical secretaries, for example, are expected to rise 8.7 percent, to between $27,750 and $34,500 annually. Surgery schedulers can anticipate starting offers to increase 7.3 percent, to the range of $26,000 to $33,000 annually.

Significant starting salary increases are projected for office/facilities managers and administrative assistants as well. Both positions are anticipated to see base compensation increase 9.5 percent, to between $31,250 and $38,000 for facilities managers and $26,000 to $31,750 for administrative assistants. Human resources assistants also are in demand due to increased hiring in a variety of industries, which is placing heavier workloads on human resources departments.

Other key findings from the OfficeTeam 2006 Salary Guide include:

- Marketing assistants can expect base compensation in the range of $26,500 to $33,000, an increase of 7.2 percent over 2005.
Receptionists will see starting salaries increase 5.2 percent, to the range of $20,000 to $25,500 per year.

- Base compensation for customer service representatives will increase 6.1 percent, with starting salaries in the range of $20,750 to $27,000.

- Average starting salaries for word processors will increase 6 percent, bringing base compensation to the range of $23,250 to $30,000 annually.

Growing Role of Certification
As administrative roles become more complex, specialization and certification can further boost starting salaries. According to OfficeTeam research, employers are willing to pay up to 10 percent for designations such as a Microsoft Office Specialist, Certified Administrative Professional and Certified Professional Secretary. Those applicants who are bilingual can also command higher starting compensation.

The Hiring Environment

 A stronger economy has led to increased hiring for administrative positions. Many employers are finding it more difficult to locate highly skilled professionals, and they are adjusting their hiring practices accordingly to secure the best people. Still, companies are careful to avoid over hiring in the event that business growth lose momentum

Hiring managers are selective when it comes to locating administrative professionals for their organizations. They look for flexibility – the ability to support supervisors with different management styles, take on a variety of roles and responsibilities, and improve efficiency. Candidates who demonstrate initiative and are willing to work beyond their job description will have a greater chance of success.

Administrative professionals with two or more years of industry-specific experience are in partially strong demand because they require less training and often have a shorter learning curve in new positions.

Hiring mangers are carefully matching applicants’ skills with the need of the business while also ensuring they will excel in the work environment. For example, when reviewing resumes, employers look for evidence of job stability, accomplishments in previous positions and the pursuit of continuing education, which demonstrates initiative. When meeting candidates face to face, manager are assessing interpersonal abilities, such as flexibility, communication skills, enthusiasm and responsiveness. Companies also are looking for bilingual or multilingual administrative support professionals to communicate with a diverse customer base. Fluency in Spanish is particularly desirable.

When companies in many regions are increasing salaries, they are looking beyond compensation to attract and keep skilled employees. Flextime, immediate accrual of action time and additional vacation days are a few perks firms are extending to employees to enhance retention efforts.

Trends Impacting Hiring

Emphasis on technology – In recent OfficeTeam survey of 150 executive from Fortune 1000 firms, 52 percent of respondents said they believe information technology is the are of special training most useful for administrative professionals. In fact, advanced Microsoft Office skills particularly proficiency with Word and Excel, are a basic job requirement for most positions. Administrative support personnel often are tasked with learning and, in turn, teaching colleagues how to use the latest software. Managers also look for candidates with certification key applications. Knowledge if Microsoft Access, PowerPoint and Project are a requisite for many positions. PowerPoint and graphic expertise gives applicants an edge, as do Internet and web-based communication skills.  

Value placed on experience – Many employers prefer professionals with at least a year or two of related work experience so new hires can hit the ground running. Entry-level applicants can improve their chance of landing their first job by joining professional association, attending networking events, earning advanced software certification, participating in internships or working as a temporary professional. 

A faster hiring process – While managers must always exercise care in selecting the right person for the position, many are now expediting the hiring process to avoid unnecessary delays. Otherwise, they risk losing top candidates to competing offers.  

Strategic staffing – One lesson learned during the most recent recession is the businesses must carefully assess administrative personnel needs to achieve maximum productivity without over hiring or understaffing. For many companies, employing a mix of full-time and temporary professional has become the best option for adequately managing fluctuating workloads.