How to become a first-line supervisors of office and administrative support worker

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

Steps to get there

Most employers expect most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree..Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What first-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers 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.
• Recruit, interview, and select employees.

Skills that matter most

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Monitoring
• Critical Thinking
• Writing
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Is first-line supervisors of office and administrative support worker a good career?

On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 36% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• Washington $79,480
• District of Columbia $79,200
• New York $79,170
• Connecticut $78,200
• California $77,590

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.