Why We Love It
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$94,840Potential Avg. Salary
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8.2%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Dependable Daily WorkloadCareer Attribute
Office managers oversee all the administrative functions for a business or department. They may manage administrative staff, order office supplies, oversee equipment distribution and maintenance, and coordinate office meetings. They play an important role in keeping a department running efficiently.
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What is an Office Manager?
The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in office manager roles:
- Manage office administrative staff
- Order and stock office supplies
- Manage office equipment, ensuring new employees have the tools they need to perform their roles, and scheduling maintenance on malfunctioning equipment
- Plan, organize, and coordinate office meetings and events
- Streamline office processes and train staff on administrative responsibilities
A Day in the Life
Office managers play a crucial role in the day-to-day functions of a small or mid-sized business, or a single department within a large corporation. They provide support to all employees and managers in a business or department. They ensure that employees have the equipment and supplies they need to perform their work effectively, order new supplies when needed, submit work orders for malfunctioning equipment, and manage the departmental/company budget for supplies and equipment maintenance.
Often, the office manager manages a team of administrative assistants. They may oversee admins who handle specific tasks—such as receptionists—and they may also oversee admins who support only one individual—such as a department vice president. Office managers may be responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and overseeing these individuals to ensure that the administrative functions of the office are efficient, productive, and streamlined.
Office managers may also play the role of human resources specialist. Some office managers oversee payroll operations, and many are responsible for collecting the required documentation and paperwork for new employees, such as copies of driver’s licenses and social security cards. The office manager collects the appropriate documentation, files it correctly, and answers employee questions. He/she may also orient new employees to the department and show them around the office and company.
Typical Work Schedule
Office manager almost always follow a regular full-time working schedule of around 40 hours per week in office. Accordingly, you may choose this job if you are looking for a career that help you maintain life and work balance. However, the exact schedule can differ according to the working pattern of the company or organization to accommodate the needs of the employees. Office manager usually work under pressure from the top management to ensure that the company’s administrative work is running smoothly.
Projected Job Growth
According to the US bureau of labor statistics, the demand for office managers is expected to grow by at least 6 % from 2019 to 2029 which is faster than the average growth for other jobs. The recent technological advances as well as environmental consideration may affect the way office managers handle the offices by using software programs to coordinate meetings, assign tasks and deliver important documents. However, the presence of human office managers is still important for the interaction with the employees and listening to their needs and monitoring the flow of the work. The job market for officer managers is promising and seems to improve more considering the projected growth for the job. You will have to develop your interpersonal and organizational skills, as well as having experience in management, communications to have good opportunities in finding a rewarding job in this field.
Career Progression
- Early Career: Receptionist, Administrative Assistant, Payroll Clerk
- Mid-Career: Human Resources Specialist, Executive Assistant
- Late Career: Office Manager, Human Resources Manager
Typical Employers
Office managers can virtually work for any large or medium-sized company as their job is the supervision and organization of office staff members. The list of potential employers includes financial institutions including banks, insurance agencies…, etc. Other employers may include large companies and corporations as well as manufacturers where the size of the staff must be managed to ensure efficiency and profit. They may also work for government agencies and institutions. Due to the nature of the work, it is not possible for officer managers to work independently, work part-time or work from home. Their physical existence during the main working hours is one of the main requirements of the job which provides limited flexibility even when considering vacations.
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How To Become an Office Manager
It’s possible to become an office manager with only a high school diploma, but doing so will require many years of experience in administrative services. Many aspiring office managers with no formal postsecondary education begin their careers in entry-level administrative positions as receptionists. With experience, they can move into roles with more responsibility, such as administrative assistant, payroll clerk, or executive assistant. Eventually, they may work their way into office manager roles.
Conversely, some years of entry-level work can be bypassed by pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Some business may even require office manager to hold bachelor’s degrees if their role includes managing subordinates. Popular degrees for aspiring office managers include business, office management, and human resources. Any of these degrees is effective in teaching aspiring office managers the skills they’ll need to succeed in both office administration and manager roles.
With a degree, aspiring office managers usually must start their careers as administrative assistants. In general, office managers are individuals with many years of experience in office administration, so professional experience is key to securing a role as an office manager. After working as an administrative assistant or executive assistant for several years, administrators may qualify for open office manager or human resource manager roles.
Office Manager Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$63,200Average
$94,840High Range
$153,570National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$30/hrAverage
$46/hrHigh Range
$74/hrHow do Office Manager salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Office Manager's can make an average annual salary of $94,840, or $46 per hour. On the lower end, they can make $63,200 or $30 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#79 Nationally for All Careers
Above Average Salary Nationally
Programs and Degrees
Here are the most common degrees for becoming an Office Manager. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.
Highest Education Among Office Managers
- 1.2% Doctorate
- 10.2% Masters
- 27.7% Bachelors
- 12.8% Associates
- 29.2% College
- 16.7% High School
- 2.2% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
287,3002024 Est. Jobs
310,800Job Growth Rate
8.2%Est. New Jobs
23,500How does Office Manager job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 23,500 jobs for a total of 310,800 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 8.2% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Above Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#274 Nationally for All Careers
Above Avg. Growth Nationally
What Companies Employ The Most Office Managers
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 21,500 | 1,200 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 17,700 | 800 | 1% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private | 12,300 | 1,600 | 2% |
