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Healthcare
Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other
This role covers the clerical work that keeps an office running when a task does not fit a more specific job title. People in it handle a mix of filing, data entry, scheduling, document prep, and message routing, often switching between duties as needs change. The tradeoff is flexibility versus stability: the work is easy to enter with a high school diploma, but pay is modest and the job is exposed to automation and shrinking office headcount.
Also known as Administrative Support SpecialistOffice Support SpecialistClerical AssistantAdministrative ClerkOffice Assistant
Median Salary
$46,040
Mean $48,700
U.S. Workforce
~196K
21.3K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-7.8%
232.9K to 214.8K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other 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 ~196K workers, with a median annual pay of $46,040 and roughly 21.3K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 232.9 K in 2024 to 214.8K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Office Clerk and can progress toward Office Manager. High-value skills usually include Microsoft Excel & Spreadsheets, Microsoft Outlook & Calendar Management, and Word Processing & Document Formatting, paired with soft skills such as Attention to detail, Organization, and Clear written communication.
Core Responsibilities
- Enter information into spreadsheets, databases, or office software and check it for obvious mistakes.
- Sort, file, scan, and retrieve paper or digital records so other staff can find them quickly.
- Schedule meetings, update calendars, and pass along messages or requests to the right person.
- Prepare routine documents such as forms, letters, invoices, reports, and packets for review or mailing.
Keep exploring: more Business careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Enter information into spreadsheets, databases, or office software and check it for obvious mistakes.
02 Sort, file, scan, and retrieve paper or digital records so other staff can find them quickly.
03 Schedule meetings, update calendars, and pass along messages or requests to the right person.
04 Prepare routine documents such as forms, letters, invoices, reports, and packets for review or mailing.
05 Answer phones, reply to basic questions, and direct callers, visitors, or emails to the correct department.
06 Keep office supplies, printers, and shared work areas stocked and organized, and flag problems when something is missing or broken.
Industries That Hire
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Education
University of California, Arizona State University, New York University
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Government
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, City of New York, State of California
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Legal Services
DLA Piper, Baker McKenzie, Kirkland & Ellis
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Insurance
State Farm, Allstate, Liberty Mutual
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can usually get started without a degree, since the typical entry requirement is only a high school diploma or equivalent.
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The role offers broad exposure to office systems, so you can build useful experience in scheduling, records, and document handling.
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There are many openings across employers, with about 21.3K annual openings projected.
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It can be a good fit if you want steady indoor work and do not want a job that depends on physical labor or travel.
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The work can open doors to office manager, coordinator, or executive support roles if you build strong software and organization skills.
Challenges
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Pay is modest for the amount of coordination involved, with a median annual salary of $46,040 and a mean of $48,700.
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Employment is projected to decline by 7.8% over the next decade, so the long-term outlook is weaker than for many office jobs.
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Because the title is a catch-all, the work can be repetitive and hard to specialize, which can limit advancement.
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A lot of the tasks are routine enough to be automated by software, self-service portals, or centralized admin teams.
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The job often sits at the bottom of the office hierarchy, so you may be asked to absorb extra work without much control over priorities.
Career Progression
Office Clerk
0-2 years
$30K-$37K
Handles filing, basic data entry, copying, mail, and other routine support tasks while learning office systems.
Administrative Assistant
1-4 years
$38K-$47K
Takes on scheduling, document preparation, and communication duties for one team or manager.
Office and Administrative Support Worker, All Other THIS ROLE
3-6 years
$48K-$56K
Juggles a mixed set of clerical tasks that vary by employer, often filling gaps between several office functions.
Senior Administrative Coordinator
6-10 years
$57K-$70K
Coordinates workflows across departments, tracks deadlines, and keeps records, reports, and schedules aligned.
Office Manager
8+ years
$71K-$88K
Oversees day-to-day office operations, staffing, supplies, basic budgets, and the quality of administrative support.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The standard entry point for this role, paired with short-term on-the-job training and no work experience requirement.
Certificate in office administration or business support
A practical alternative for applicants who want faster proof of clerical skills and familiarity with office software.
Associate degree in business administration or office technology
A stronger option for workers who want broader office skills and a better shot at moving into coordinator or specialist roles.
Key Skills
Technical
Microsoft Excel & Spreadsheets 86%
Microsoft Outlook & Calendar Management 84%
Word Processing & Document Formatting 82%
Data Entry & Recordkeeping Systems 78%
Digital Filing, Scanning & Document Management 72%
Office Equipment Troubleshooting 64%
Soft Skills
Attention to detailOrganizationClear written communicationTime managementCustomer serviceAdaptability Job Outlook and Trends
+-7.8%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
21.3K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 232.9K to 214.8 K over the next decade, representing -7.8% growth. Around 21.3 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.