TRADES Zone 3: Medium Preparation

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers earn $69,500 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $55,950 and $85,090. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

About First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.


Median Wage
$69,500
Employed Nationally
1.4M
Openings / Year
144,500
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Also known as:

Accounting Administrator Accounting Clerks Supervisor Accounting Director Accounting Manager Accounting Supervisor

How Much Do First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers Make?

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers earn $69,500 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,950 and $85,090. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$69,500
National Median (Annual)

Near the national median for college graduates.

$56K–$85K
Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.


Earnings Range

What Do First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers Do?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

What You'll Do

  • Supervise the work of office, administrative, or customer service employees to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures, correcting errors or problems.
  • Resolve customer complaints or answer customers' questions regarding policies and procedures.
  • Provide employees with guidance in handling difficult or complex problems or in resolving escalated complaints or disputes.
  • Review records or reports pertaining to activities such as production, payroll, or shipping to verify details, monitor work activities, or evaluate performance.
  • Discuss job performance problems with employees to identify causes and issues and to work on resolving problems.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Social Perceptiveness Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking Monitoring

Who Thrives Here

E
Enterprising

Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.

C
Conventional

Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.

S
Social

Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.

Where Do First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting
Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands
Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level
Moderate

Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.

What Is the Job Outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers?

The BLS projects -0.3% employment change for First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 144,500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↘ -0.3%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

Declining employment projected.

144,500
Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

1.4M
Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $69,500 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

# State Jobs Median Wage vs. National
1 Texas 172,150 $64,320 -7.5%
2 California 164,320 $75,090 +8.0%
3 Florida 102,450 $62,290 -10.4%
4 New York 82,420 $77,230 +11.1%
5 Pennsylvania 61,960 $63,990 -7.9%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The 5 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

High school diploma or equivalent
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.


Degree Programs That Lead Here

# Program Graduates/yr 4yr Median Colleges
1 Business Administration 395,227 $68,257 2,611
2 Health Administration 85,302 $58,716 1,975
3 Business Operations Support and Assistant 16,604 $28,311 940
4 Agricultural Business and Management 8,085 $66,647 380
5 Veterinary Administrative 113 4

Top Colleges for Aspiring First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

# College UCD Score Net Price Salary 10yr
1 United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT 96
2 United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO 96
3 United States Military Academy West Point, NY 96
4 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY 93 $3,033 $75,971
5 University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 93 $12,548 $82,511
6 University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA 93 $12,470 $84,943

Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers Pros & Cons

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 4 upsides and 1 concerns below are all data-sourced.

PROS
  • Competitive salary $69,500 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
  • Large, established field 1.4M people work in this occupation nationally, creating a broad job market with openings spread across every region and industry.
  • Strong annual demand 144,500 job openings per year creates consistent hiring volume even in slower economic cycles. Entry-level candidates have real options throughout the year.
  • Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
  • Declining employment The BLS projects -0.3% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers Frequently Asked Questions

How much do First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers is $69,500, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,950 and $85,090. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -0.3% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $69,500 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How do I become a First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers?
Most First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Business Administration are common starting points.
Why are First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers jobs declining?
The BLS projects -0.3% employment change for First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 144,500 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 1.4M people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
What skills do First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers roles: Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, and Monitoring. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.

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