How to Hire an Administrative Services Manager

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

The hiring market for administrative services managers

There are about 279,000 administrative services managers employed in the U.S., with roughly 22,000 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +5.2% from 2025–35 (faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.

Pay benchmarks for offers

*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.

What to look for

Where to find administrative services managers

• Community college business programs and career centers
• Professional associations (such as SHRM, PMI and state CPA societies)
• LinkedIn and niche job boards
• Internal promotion from front-line roles
• Job postings that use common alternate titles: Office Services Manager, Business Office Manager, Records Manager, Administrative Director

Screening checklist

• A skills assessment (Excel, writing or role software)
• Credential verification (CPA, PMP, SHRM-CP, paralegal certificate)
• Reference checks focused on reliability and accuracy
• A structured interview with a short work sample

Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.

Interview questions to ask

Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.

1. “What services have you managed?”

What a strong answer includes: List.

2. “How do you manage vendors?”

What a strong answer includes: Explain.

3. “How do you prioritize requests?”

What a strong answer includes: Explain.

4. “Describe a cost saving.”

What a strong answer includes: Share.

5. “How do you lead admin staff?”

What a strong answer includes: Share.

Practical skills checks

A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:

• Set Up a Records Retention Schedule (see the steps)
• Rebid an Office Services Contract (see the steps)
• Plan an Office Move (see the steps)

Red flags

• Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
• Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
• Unfamiliar with core terms such as Records retention schedule, Vendor contract, Service level agreement
• Negative talk about every past employer or coworker

Onboard for retention

The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Administrative Services Manager 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Administrative Services Manager training. Show them the path forward: Administrative Assistant → Office Supervisor → Administrative Services Manager → Director of Administration.

Hiring administrative services managers: FAQ

How much should I pay an administrative services manager?

The U.S. median wage for administrative services managers is $114,130 per year ($54.87/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($86,460), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($157,420). Adjust for your local market.

What qualifications should an administrative services manager have?

BLS lists “bachelor's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Certified Administrative Professional and Certified Records Manager where relevant, plus skills such as office operations, records management, and vendor management.

How long does it take to train a new administrative services manager?

Becoming qualified typically takes Several years of experience. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”