How to Hire an Office Manager

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

The hiring market for office managers

There are about 1,506,100 office managers employed in the U.S., with roughly 127,400 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +0.1% from 2025–35 (little or no change). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.

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 office 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 Administrator, Administrative Supervisor, Business Office Manager, Operations Coordinator

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. “How do you manage competing requests?”

What a strong answer includes: Explain prioritizing and communication.

2. “Tell me about a process you improved.”

What a strong answer includes: Share results.

3. “How do you supervise staff?”

What a strong answer includes: Describe coaching and expectations.

4. “How do you control costs?”

What a strong answer includes: Mention budgets and vendors.

5. “What software do you use?”

What a strong answer includes: Name tools.

Practical skills checks

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

• Onboard a New Employee (see the steps)
• Manage a Vendor Relationship (see the steps)
• Build an Office Supply Budget (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 Operating budget, Purchase order, Vendor
• Negative talk about every past employer or coworker

Onboard for retention

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

Hiring office managers: FAQ

How much should I pay an office manager?

The U.S. median wage for office managers is $69,500 per year ($33.41/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($55,950), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($85,090). Adjust for your local market.

What qualifications should an office manager have?

BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) and QuickBooks Certified User where relevant, plus skills such as office operations, budgeting, and vendor management.

How long does it take to train a new office manager?

Becoming qualified typically takes 3–5 years of administrative experience. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”