To thrive in administrative roles, it's essential to possess attention to detail and exceptional communication. Organizational finesse and rapid skill acquisition can further be your stepping stones to advancement.

While many admin jobs begin at junior to intermediate levels of responsibility and compensation, they act as gateways to specialized positions. These often come with benefits and high-paying administrative jobs.

How to get a job in admin, and what are high-paying admin jobs? Let’s explore these well-remunerated administrative roles to unveil the skills and experiences that could propel you toward securing one of these positions.

Close up - Smiling woman looking away
Close up - Smiling woman looking away

contracts administrator

Contracts administrators literally administer contracts for their organizations. While this sounds like a job that involves pushing paper — and there's a bit of that — the position is critically important.

As a contracts administrator, your role involves creating and designing contracts to benefit all parties and safeguard your employer's interests.

You'll coordinate with all parties engaged in contract negotiations, liaising between your employer and external entities throughout the process.

Other responsibilities include drafting portions of contracts, proofreading contracts and managing the contract workflow through various software programs. Your path to this administrative role can be unique to you.

While some businesses look for a degree in business administration or other relevant fields, employers might consider you for the job if you have years of work experience and proven wins on your resume.

Entry-level contracts administrators typically earn around $100,000 or more annually in most regions. Your experience, education and skill set might help you earn $150,000 or more. It's one of the high-paying jobs in the administrative sector.

search for jobs

get our salary guide for free

And stay up-to-date on the latest salary trends!

download now

executive assistant (bilingual)

Executive assistants directly support people in executive-level positions, such as CEOs, CFOs or corporate vice presidents.

Responsibilities depend on your employer and industry but can include tasks such as:

  • managing multiple calendars and schedules
  • conducting research and creating presentations
  • handling departmental expenses
  • greeting clients
  • overseeing administrative processes or junior admin staff

A common path to executive assistant roles is climbing the admin assistant ladder.

By proving yourself in entry-level and then mid-level roles, you can get the attention of employers who may be more than willing to fill open executive assistant positions with in-house staff who already know the team and the ropes. 

Some companies also look for candidates with education, ranging from relevant certificates or two-year degree programs to bachelor's degrees.

On average, executive assistants start at about $65,000 a year. But someone with five to 10 years of experience could earn $80,000 or more.

search for jobs

ready to grow your career?

Make sure your resume is up-to-date. Then share it with us to connect with a recruiter and be matched with job opportunities that works for you.

meet a recruiter

executive legal assistant

Executive legal assistants are executive assistants who provide support within law firms or corporate legal departments.

This role parallels that of a general executive assistant with a distinct specialization. It requires a foundational understanding of specific legal domains and the capacity to effectively assist lawyers and other legal professionals.

The starting salaries for executive legal assistants generally fall from $60,000 to $70,000. Once you gain experience, these figures can rise to $80,000 or even higher.

search for jobs

lease administrator

Lease administrators are pivotal in managing and overseeing lease agreements for their organizations. 

This role is tasked with crafting and structuring leases to ensure mutual benefit and safeguard the interests of their employers. This involves close coordination with all parties involved in lease negotiations, acting as a liaison between the organization and external entities throughout the entire process.

They are responsible for drafting and reviewing specific clauses within leases, meticulously proofreading documents, and efficiently managing the lease workflow using specialized software programs. 

For those entering the field, starting salaries for lease administrators typically range around $60,000 annually in most regions. However, with accumulated experience, advanced education, and a honed skill set, you have the potential to command a salary upwards of $100,000 or more. 

search for jobs

procurement coordinator

Procurement coordinators play a strategic role in managing procurement processes. These administrative professionals orchestrate and streamline the acquisition of goods, services, and materials for an organization's operations.

Duties span from processing purchase requisitions, managing purchase orders, liaising with suppliers, and monitoring budgets.

Collaborating with legal and contracts teams, they ensure compliance with terms. Inventory optimization, quality assurance, and market research are their forte.

Their role is integral in maintaining operational efficiency and supporting departmental objectives through efficient procurement practices.

Starting salaries for procurement coordinators generally begin around $60,000 for entry-level and can trend towards the vicinity of $90,000 for those with an intermediate experience level.

search for jobs

looking for more tips and advice to help you find a job that works for you?

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive articles on how to excel in your job search journey and career development.

subscribe

office manager

Office managers oversee the day-to-day work in an office environment, making this a common position in various industries.

For example, you might be an office manager in a medical practice, a small business, or a warehouse office.

Office managers might oversee processes and equipment or supervise junior office staff such as receptionists and clerks, which can require great problem-solving skills.

The varied range of office manager job types is reflected in an average pay range ranging from around $60,000 to $70,000 annually for entry-level employees.

Office managers with a high level of experience, those who work in larger firms or those who manage a lot of people might make more, averaging $90,000 per year.

Typically, the highest pay for these positions can be found in larger cities such as Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.

search for jobs

property manager

Property managers oversee the administrative functions associated with owning, renting or managing various properties.

This job might range from managing such processes in a high-end condo complex to overseeing processes for a firm that owns multiple commercial properties.

While the task load can vary, responsibilities include processing client leases, advertising rental spaces, overseeing work orders, project management, and handling day-to-day office activities.

Property managers don't necessarily need a degree, though a degree or certificate related to real estate might help you land one of these positions.

Property managers start around $65,000 to $70,000 per year, depending on where they're employed and with what type of firm. With five to 10 years of experience, property managers can make as much as $100,000 or more.

Attention to detail, strong communication, problem-solving skills, and a blend of tech-savvy and efficient organizational know-how make up a solid foundation of skills for success in administrative support roles.

search for jobs

Randstad empowers job seekers with valuable insights into the dynamic labour market. Connect with us on social media via Facebook and LinkedIn,

We hope we helped you find the best-paying administrative jobs that match your skills and aspirations.

Don't forget to explore our job opportunities before leaving!

find a job that works for you

Explore our job offers today and use our easy-to-use filter to find telecommuting jobs or ones located closest to your home.

start browsing now

receive our latest career advice

subscribe

meet our recruiters

submit your profile