How Much Are Office Administrators Paid in Johannesburg, South Africa?

Office administration is a highly popular career path for South Africans due to the amount of office admin job opportunities that frequently avail themselves in various industries.  Whether you are looking to advance your career or switch careers, Office Administration is one of the great choices as almost every office needs an office administrator. This position is one of the stable fields with vacancies around different industries in South Africa. Now the big question is, does it pay well? In this piece we will discuss the average Office administration salaries across industries in Johannesburg South Africa, the qualifications required and pointers on how to land the job.

Average Salary for Office Administrators in Johannesburg

According to Indeed, the average salary for Office administration in Johannesburg is R10 063 per month. Other studies also show the average annual salary to be between R120,000 to R250.000 depending on your qualifications, set of specialized skills, years of experience and the kind of industry you are employed in.

Industries Hiring Office Administrators in Johannesburg

A lot of industries across Johannesburg hire Office administrators to do their front office duties. An administrator at a law firm would normally have a different salary compared to the one who works at a retail store so the salaries vary throughout the industries. The following industries usually hire Office administrators:

• Law firms: need office administrators for organizing and filing documents, coordinating appointments and meetings and managing schedules.
• Finance and Banking: Office administrators assist with reviewing financial paperwork and procedures, customer service and administrative tasks
• Healthcare: Office administrators are needed in hospitals, clinics and private practices to help with managing schedules, patient records and bills.
• Retail and Hospitality: Hotels and retail companies hire office administrators to assist with managing reception areas, customer service, handling bookkeeping, budgeting  and billing cycles for the business.
• Education: Office Administrators in schools and universities provide administrative support for an office or department within a school. They help with student records inventory management, scheduling and general office duties.
• IT and Technology: IT administrators  assist in maintaining system integrity, incharge of office supplies and equipment,  resolving technical issues and handling administrative tasks.

Qualifications Needed for Office Administrator Jobs

You can get an Office administrator job in Johannesburg with at least a matric certificate, but if you want to stand out on the competitive job market in South Africa then it’s advisable to consider having additional qualifications. A higher qualification and certain skills may also determine a raise in salary. The following qualifications are what employers commonly look for when hiring an Office administrator in Johannesburg, South Africa:

• Certificate or Diploma in Office Administration: This is an essential certificate when looking for an office administration job. The certificate covers important skills that are needed for office administration like typing, computer applications and office procedures.
• Proficiency in Office Software: Knowledge in  Microsoft Office Ensuite is an added advantage when looking for a job in office administration in Johannesburg. You must be able to maneuver around Word, Excel and outlook effortlessly to improve your chances in landing the job with a better pay. For an extra credit you may also need experience in Google workspace, project management or CRM systems.
• Experience with Office Equipment: Being able to effortlessly operate office equipment like printers, scanners and fax machines is a basic requirement when looking for an office administration job in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: customer service skills are a need for office administrators as they interact with staff, customers and stakeholders on a day to day basis
• Problem-Solving and Organizational Skills: Companies need candidates who can handle disputes professionally, prioritize customer satisfaction and  good organizational skills.

It’s advisable to research about the industry you want to join, find out what additional certifications you may need to be the perfect candidate. Certifications like customer service, bookkeeping and project management may also boost your CV.

Tips for Landing a Well-Paying Office Administrator Job

Entry-level administration positions may seem like the easy way in but there are  also extra measures to take to increase your chances of getting a higher salary. The following tips may help you boost your earning potential scoring that office administrator job in Johannesburg:

Internships or Temp Roles to gain experience

Starting with internships and temporary positions is beneficial as they offer hands-on experience which may sometimes lead to a full-time employment if your employers are impressed. This is perfect for new candidates willing  to penetrate the industry and learn while you work. If you are looking to gain experience while working as an Office admin in Johannesburg  then companies like Staffing Solutions and Kelly Services always offer temporary roles.

 A Strong CV and Cover Letter

Tailor-make your CV in a way that emphasizes relevant skills needed for an office admin job.  Highlight relevant skills like typing speed, customer service skills, muliti-tasking and organizational skills and proficiency in office software. A cover letter showcasing your good written communication skills and enthusiasm for the role may be an added advantage.

Networking  Within the Industry

Attending networking events in the industry you are interested in can help you build meaningful connections that can lead to higher paying job referrals. You can also join professional groups on Linked in to have a better intel on the industry and maybe get recognized by recruiters.

Consider Additional Certifications

Additional certifications that are relevant to the industry you are interested in might help you stand out in the competitive johannesburg job market while also potentially raising your earning prospects. Short courses in Excel and administrative management are beneficial for your job as an office administrator in Johannesburg South Africa.

Leverage Online Job Portals

Sign up on Careers24, Indeed and PNet to have first hand job alerts as soon as they are posted so that you can prepare and apply on time. Narrow your job search down to Office administration in Johannesburg so that you only get the relevant job alerts.

Prepare for Interviews by Researching the Company

It’s A professional imperative to research about the company, learn their values and work ethics before going for an interview. During the interview, make sure you highlight your relevant skills and how they can contribute to the company’s success. Give examples of how you improved things on your previous job like introducing a better filing system or giving statistical results.

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Final Thoughts

Office administration frequently has  a variety of career opportunities available across industries in Johannesburg. As much as the opportunities are many, the competition is high too so consider having additional relevant certification, building a strong CV and expanding your networking connections to increase your chances of getting a better higher paying office administrator role in Johannesburg. The average salary for office admin ranges between R120,000 to R250.000 per year, which makes it a step in the right direction for people looking for career growth. If you are able to multitask in a fast paced environment and have organizational skills then consider the tips given and be on the look for new job vacancies on popular job boards.