Demand for administrative support staff is on the rise

PAs and other administrative professionals looking for their next permanent role have reason to be optimistic. A recent survey shows that there is a resurgence in the demand for personal and executive assistants, which is helping to drive average salaries up across the globe.

The annual Salary Survey, conducted by specialist recruitment agency Robert Walters, reveals that there are a number of positive trends in the market for PAs and EAs, including an increase in permanent job volumes and a renewed appetite for temporary-to-permanent hires.

On average, financial services firms have been the most active recruiters; while property, energy and technology companies have also contributed to the trend. The survey cites an increase in demand for executive assistants in particular after numbers dipped during the recession.

The study also reports on the average salary for administrative staff, with EAs coming out on top in the financial services industry at £40,000 to £50,000 per annum. Executive assistants in other industries aren’t far behind, earning between £35,000 and £45,000.

Meanwhile, in the US, high-profile headhunter Brian Daniel of the Celebrity Personal Assistant Network has issued employers with guidelines for offering the appropriate salary to PAs. According to Daniel, assistants and admin staff are constantly adding to their list of daily tasks, so it’s important to pay them in proportion to their input.

Daniel also says that while it’s clear some employers will try to save money by offering the lowest possible salary, it’s up to the candidate to negotiate a rate that is commensurate with their experience.

To find out more about Robert Walters, visit robertwalters.co.uk/