BASE SALARIES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS IN MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL AREA TO GROW IN 2008
Those With Industry Knowledge and Advanced Skills in Greatest Demand Starting salaries for administrative professionals in the Twin Cities area are expected to rise in 2008, according to the just-released OfficeTeam 2008 Salary Guide . The increase is a result of continued demand for highly skilled administrative and office support employees, business expansion and a competitive hiring environment. The 2008 Salary Guide is based on an analysis of the thousands of job placements managed by the company's North American offices. "A competitive hiring environment in the Twin Cities has led to increased demand for administrative professionals with advanced skills and experience," said Kathy Northamer, Vice President of OfficeTeam in the Twin Cities. "Companies are offering higher compensation and other benefits to attract highly skilled candidates -- especially those who possess strong industry knowledge and are a good fit with the organization." Skills and Attributes in Demand
In addition to industry background and technical expertise, hiring managers seek administrative professionals with strong interpersonal skills, and who show initiative and commitment to ongoing education. Employers also seek candidates who are multilingual and can communicate with colleagues, vendors and customers in other countries. Industry Trends
In the Twin Cities the healthcare, technology and commercial real estate industries are showing strong demand for administrative professionals. Other key findings from the OfficeTeam 2008 Salary Guide include: | | - In the Twin Cities, human resources assistants will see average starting salaries of $28,068 to $38,625, a 4.3 percent increase over 2007.
- Senior executive assistants can expect base compensation to rise 2.7 percent, to the range of $41,715 to $58,453.
- Receptionists in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area will see salaries in the range of $21,888 to $28,840, an increase of 2.1 percent.
- Base compensation for customer service/call center representatives will increase 2 percent, to the range of $22,660 to $30,900.
- Data entry specialists can expect starting salaries between $22,145 and $27,553, an increase of 1.7 percent over 2007.
- Average starting salaries for entry-level administrative assistants will increase 1.4 percent, bringing base compensation to the range of $24,463 to $29,870 annually.
| The Importance of Certification
Professional certification and specialization can further increase base compensation, as companies continue to seek job candidates with specific expertise. OfficeTeam research shows employers are willing to offer an average of 7 percent more to candidates with designations such as Certified Administrative Professional and Certified Professional Secretary, and an average of 11 percent more to those who possess the Microsoft Office Specialist certification. Multilingual applicants can command starting salaries as much as 10 percent higher than candidates who speak only one language. Starting salary information in the OfficeTeam 2008 Salary Guide is based on the thousands of job orders handled in North America each year by OfficeTeam staffing managers. Continuing or ongoing salaries are not reported since many factors -- such as seniority, work ethic, performance and training -- impact a full-time employee’s compensation as a work history develops. Businesses nationwide consult the OfficeTeam Salary Guide each year to determine starting salaries for administrative staff, and the U.S. Department of Labor uses the guide when preparing its Occupational Outlook Handbook. You can order a free copy of the OfficeTeam 2008 Salary Guide by visiting www.officeteam.com or calling (800)804-8367. |
