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Healthcare
Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Cleveland Clinic
Administrative Services Managers
Administrative services managers keep the support side of an organization running by handling budgets, supplies, schedules, policies, and the people who do the day-to-day administrative work. The job is distinct because it mixes process improvement with people management; the tradeoff is broad responsibility, constant coordination, and modest long-term growth compared with more specialized management tracks.
Also known as Administrative ManagerAdministration ManagerOffice Services ManagerBusiness Services ManagerSupport Services Manager
Median Salary
$108,390
Mean $126,030
U.S. Workforce
~254K
23.2K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+4.6%
271.2K to 283.8K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ Less than 5 years experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Administrative Services Managers sits in the Business category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~254K workers, with a median annual pay of $108,390 and roughly 23.2K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 271.2 K in 2024 to 283.8K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's degree, and employers typically expect less than 5 years of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Administrative Assistant and can progress toward Director of Administration. High-value skills usually include Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets & Budget Tracking, Workday, Oracle HCM & HRIS Administration, and SharePoint, Microsoft Teams & Document Management, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, and Time Management.
Core Responsibilities
- Review reports and schedules, catch mistakes, and make sure the department stays on track.
- Update office procedures when old routines are slowing work down or creating avoidable errors.
- Order, distribute, and keep track of supplies so staff have what they need.
- Set priorities, deadlines, and goals for clerical and support staff.
Keep exploring: more Business careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Review reports and schedules, catch mistakes, and make sure the department stays on track.
02 Update office procedures when old routines are slowing work down or creating avoidable errors.
03 Order, distribute, and keep track of supplies so staff have what they need.
04 Set priorities, deadlines, and goals for clerical and support staff.
05 Train office staff on internal procedures and how to follow company rules.
06 Hire, supervise, and if necessary dismiss administrative employees while managing budgets for contracts, equipment, and supplies.
Industries That Hire
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Higher Education
Harvard University, University of Michigan, Stanford University
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Government
U.S. General Services Administration, State of California, City of New York
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Professional Services
Deloitte, Accenture, PwC
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Manufacturing
Toyota, 3M, General Motors
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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Pay is solid for an office management role, with median annual earnings of $108,390 and mean pay of $126,030.
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There are still a lot of openings, with 23.2 thousand annual job openings expected even though growth is only moderate.
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The work can transfer across many sectors, from hospitals and universities to government agencies and corporate offices.
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You get real management experience because the job includes budgets, staff supervision, deadlines, and policy decisions.
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The role can be a fast step up for experienced administrators because BLS expects less than 5 years of prior experience and no formal on-the-job training.
Challenges
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Long-term growth is only 4.6% through 2034, so this is not a high-expansion career path.
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The job carries broad responsibility, but in many organizations you still have limited authority over staffing or spending decisions.
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Many routine administrative tasks are easier to automate with software, which can reduce the amount of hands-on coordination this role once required.
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Career ceilings can show up quickly in flatter organizations, where moving higher often means shifting into broader operations or executive roles.
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Workload can swing hard when budgets are cut or positions go unfilled, because the role is often expected to absorb more duties without extra headcount.
Career Progression
Administrative Assistant
0-2 years
$35K-$48K
You handle calendars, correspondence, filing, and basic office support while learning how the organization runs.
Administrative Coordinator
2-5 years
$48K-$65K
You coordinate people, supplies, and schedules, and you start owning small process improvements.
Office Operations Supervisor THIS ROLE
5-8 years
$65K-$88K
You oversee a small support team, solve day-to-day problems, and keep routine operations moving smoothly.
Administrative Services Manager
8-13 years
$90K-$129K
You manage budgets, staff, procedures, and service delivery for an office or department, with the median salary of $108,390 falling in this tier.
Director of Administration
13+ years
$130K-$180K
You lead administration across a larger unit or organization and make higher-level decisions about staffing, systems, and spending.
Education Paths
Bachelor's degree
BLS lists this as the typical entry requirement, and 24.28% of workers in the distribution report a bachelor's degree.
High school diploma or equivalent
This is the largest single group in the distribution, held by 33.56% of workers, usually paired with substantial administrative experience.
Post-secondary certificate
A short credential can be enough for some employers, and 13.16% of workers in the distribution report this level.
Associate's degree
An associate's degree is another realistic route into the field, and 11.84% of workers in the distribution report this level.
Key Skills
Technical
Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets & Budget Tracking 74%
Workday, Oracle HCM & HRIS Administration 72%
SharePoint, Microsoft Teams & Document Management 71%
Power BI, Tableau & Operational Reporting 69%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionTime ManagementSpeakingCoordinationCritical Thinking Job Outlook and Trends
+4.6%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
23.2K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 271.2K to 283.8 K over the next decade, representing 4.6% growth. Around 23.2 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Moderate. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.