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Administrative hiring trends and highest-paid jobs: 2026 Workforce Planning Guide

Addison Group
Addison Group shares administrative hiring trends for 2026

The days of administrative assistants being relegated to routine office tasks are largely behind us. Today’s administrative professionals serve as strategic business partners, streamlining operations and enhancing operational efficiency. While the industry is projecting slower growth in the next decade1, there are strong pockets of opportunity with administrative assistant, receptionist, executive assistant, and customer service roles, especially in fields like legal, healthcare, and financial services.2

An estimated 2.1 million openings for administrative roles are expected over the next decade, driven by retirements and career shifts.3 Candidate interest remains strong, with many professionals still competing for these roles. However, it continues to be challenging to find top talent who possess the combination of hard and soft skills needed for success. Employers are looking for talent with ‘white glove’ customer experience as well as strong communication skills and tech fluency. Those who prioritize candidates with real-world experience will see the fastest impact.

Summary

Administrative roles are evolving into strategic, tech-enabled positions, with demand concentrated in legal, healthcare, and financial services despite overall slower growth. Employers favor applied, skills-first hiring, especially AI, data, and customer experience, with candidates commanding up to 25% higher pay when proficient in these areas. Hybrid work is emerging as the retention-friendly norm as fully remote roles recede, and admins increasingly contribute to higher-value, strategic work. The guide spotlights in-demand roles and the highest-paid administrative-adjacent jobs, underscoring the premium on real-world, tech-forward experience.

Must-have tech and AI savvy

Tech fluency is no longer optional—it’s a differentiator. That shift is most visible in the growing demand for administrative professionals who can apply AI and data tools to drive efficiency. Administrative professionals are less likely to be replaced by AI itself than by someone who knows how to use it. In the past year, demand surged for admins and executive assistants with applied AI and data analytics skills, capabilities that help companies boost efficiency and cut costs. In 2024, just 26% of admins reported using AI in their roles; by 2025, that number doubled to 53%.4

As AI continues to evolve, many employees worry about long-term job security.5 But the reality is that these tools aren’t replacing administrative professionals, they’re reshaping the role. By minimizing repetitive tasks, AI frees admins to focus on higher-value planning, client service, and strategic contributions.

“While demand for candidate skills is increasing rapidly, real-world applied experience continues to lag behind.”

Jennifer Wright, Regional Vice President, Human Resources and Administrative, Addison Group 

Skills first on the rise

Administrative statistic that says, "An estimated 2.1 million openings for administrative roles are expected over the next decade."

As AI adoption accelerates, employers are also rethinking what matters most in the hiring process. Addison Group has found that top companies seek candidates who can demonstrate practical application over educational degrees. From leveraging ChatGPT for fast and efficient information gathering to using design tools like Canva for presentations, skills like these free up time for higher-level strategic work. These skills can also lead to higher paychecks.

Employees with AI and data experience can earn the most competitive salaries, sometimes up to 25% more than peers without these skills.6

Administrative professionals who want to stand out should proactively acquire new skills in Excel, data analysis, AI tools, and relevant software. There’s also a growing demand for bilingual admin professionals, especially for Spanish speakers. Employers, in turn, should train adaptable candidates who demonstrate a strong willingness to learn new technologies.

Transition to strategic partner

These evolving skill sets are reshaping what it means to be an admin today. Skills-first hiring is just the beginning. Once in the role, admins are expected to move beyond clerical support and contribute directly to strategic business operations. While 80% of administrative professionals still focus on clerical tasks and customer queries, a growing number are taking on higher-level responsibilities, such as executive communications, process oversight, and even training colleagues and direct reports.7 For employers, increased responsibility in these roles is seen as a cost-effective solution without the need for additional benefits, overhead, and onboarding. 

“We’re seeing a de-emphasis on educational importance in lieu of relevant experience to the role and the skills needed to be effective.”

Matt Polos, Senior Vice President, Addison Group

Remote roles recede

As the scope of the role expands, where the work gets done continues to shift. While some candidates still prefer fully remote work, employers are increasingly leaning toward in-office or hybrid schedules. Many professionals accustomed to remote or hybrid arrangements still prioritize flexibility, creating tension as employers shift back to the office.

Nearly half (45%) of companies requiring a full-time office presence report retention challenges, compared with only 15% of organizations offering hybrid or remote options. For many organizations, hybrid models are proving the most effective path forward—balancing retention, productivity, and collaboration while meeting employees’ evolving expectations.

In-demand roles

  • Administrative Assistant
  • Executive Assistant
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Sales Coordinator

Highest-paid Administrative salaries

TitlesNational averages
Account Manager$123,507
Contracts Administrator$117,769
Client Service Associate$98,328
Logistics Specialist$90,992
Facilities Manager$90,609

Q&A

Short answer: Administrative roles are becoming strategic, tech-enabled positions rather than purely clerical jobs. Despite slower overall industry growth, demand is concentrated in legal, healthcare, and financial services, with strong openings for administrative assistants, executive assistants, receptionists, customer service roles, and sales coordinators. Employers are prioritizing applied, skills-first hiring, especially AI, data, and “white glove” customer experience, over formal degrees. Real-world experience is the top differentiator, and hybrid work is emerging as the retention-friendly norm as fully remote roles recede.

Question: Is AI going to replace administrative professionals?

Short answer: The guide indicates AI is reshaping, not replacing, the role. Admins are less likely to be displaced by AI itself than by peers who know how to use it. Adoption is accelerating: AI use among admins rose from 26% in 2024 to 53% in 2025. As AI and automation minimize repetitive tasks, administrative professionals can shift into higher-value work such as planning, client service, and strategic contributions. Demand is surging for admins and executive assistants who can apply AI and data analytics to drive efficiency and cost savings.

Question: Which skills most boost employability and pay for admins?

Short answer: Applied AI and data skills deliver the strongest payoff, candidates proficient in these areas can earn up to 25% more than peers. Employers also value advanced Excel, data analysis, and fluency with relevant software and productivity tools (e.g., leveraging ChatGPT for research or Canva for presentations). Strong communication, tech fluency, and “white glove” customer experience are must-haves. Bilingual ability, especially Spanish, is increasingly in demand. Above all, real-world application of these skills matters more than formal credentials.

Question: What work models are employers favoring, and how does that affect retention?

Short answer: Employers are shifting away from fully remote toward in-office or, more commonly, hybrid schedules. Hybrid is proving most effective for balancing retention, productivity, and collaboration: 45% of companies mandating full-time in-office work report retention challenges, compared with only 15% of organizations offering hybrid or remote options. Candidates still value flexibility, so hybrid models are emerging as the practical middle ground.

Question: Which roles are most in demand, and what administrative-adjacent jobs pay the most?

Short answer: In-demand roles include Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant, Customer Service Representative, and Sales Coordinator. The guide also spotlights high-paying administrative-adjacent jobs with strong national average salaries:

  • Account Manager: $123,507
  • Contracts Administrator: $117,769
  • Client Service Associate: $98,328
  • Logistics Specialist: $90,992
  • Facilities Manager: $90,609

Overall, there are an estimated 2.1 million administrative openings projected over the next decade, driven by retirements and career shifts. Candidate interest remains strong, but top talent with the right mix of hard and soft skills is scarce, giving tech-forward, experienced candidates a competitive edge.

For more valuable insights and national averages of salaries across hundreds of roles in administrative, digital marketing, finance, accounting, healthcare, human resources, and information technology, download your free copy today.

Download the Workforce Planning Guide
  1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm#:~:text=Employment%20is%20projected%20to%20decline,Area%20Data%20About%20this%20section
  2. https://www.collegerecruiter.com/blog/2024/11/22/which-industries-will-hire-the-most-administrative-candidates-in-2025
  3. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/home.htm
  4. https://growcapacity.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/A-Report-on-Administrative-Professionals-and-Executive-Assistants-in-North-America-2024.pdf?utm_source=ccingmyea.vimcal.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2025-state-of-ai-in-the-executive-assistant-industry
  5. https://ccingmyea.vimcal.com/p/2025-state-of-ai-in-the-executive-assistant-industry
  6. https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/artificial-intelligence/job-barometer/countries/pwc-ai-jobs-barometer-usa.pdf
  7. https://www.cbs42.com/business/press-releases/accesswire/1018027/american-society-of-administrative-professionals-celebrates-administrative-professionals-day-with-release-of-2025-state-of-the-profession-report/