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$5,416
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About
Whether they operate remotely or in-person, many companies in Canada rely on office administrators – professionals who can support their employees in crucial tasks such as managing inbound calls, scheduling meetings, and keeping track of equipment.
Essential to the cohesion of an organization, office administrators are needed in every field, from the public sector to private. There are several pathways to becoming an office administrator, including certificate and diploma programs. These programs provide the necessary education and accompanying organizational, clerical, and communications skills required to work as an office administrator, on top of sharpening basic accounting skills.
Once the foundation is laid through a general office administration certificate program, students may choose to further their study, specializing in either medical office administration, legal office administration, or executive office administration, where professionals support the executive level of an organization. Each of these specializations have their own diploma program, which typically takes up to two years to complete.
Office administration courses can range from as little as 30 weeks for certificates, and up to two years for diplomas (though students can take longer to complete part-time programs with flexible timelines). While the salary expectations will vary depending on factors like experience, geography, and industry, Glassdoor, Indeed, and Talent.com estimate that entry-level office administrators earn on average $42,928 per year, with salaries ranging from $35,000 to $52,000 per year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What skills are essential for office administrators?
Beyond basic accounting skills and familiarity with computer software, successful office administrators have excellent organizational and time-keeping skills, and sharp attention to detail. In addition, they have strong interpersonal skills, able to clearly communicate with staff, as well as clients, stakeholders, and more.
What are career growth opportunities for office administrators?
While office administration can be a fulfilling life-long career, there are also opportunities for growth once employed. Office administrators can go on to become office managers, directors of administration, or even chiefs of staff, depending on the company and its particular career growth opportunities.
How much do office administrators earn in Canada?
Office administration salaries vary depending on the level of seniority and industries. According to Glassdoor, Talent.com, and Indeed, the average salary for an office administrator is around $43,000, while an office manager can earn around $53,000 on average. On the higher end of the scale, office directors can earn $100,000 a year, while chiefs of staff see average annual salaries upwards of $115,000.
What qualifications are needed to work in office administration?
Each employer will require different capabilities — for example, an accounting office administrator may require different skills to a school office administrator. However, most employers will require a high school diploma. Others may ask prospective candidates to have administrative certifications, such as a certificate or diploma, or relevant experience in a related field.
Medical and legal office administrators tend to have specific qualifications relating to health and legal matters, respectively, and such roles typically require specialized training.
Certification
It’s not legally required that administrative office workers hold a post-secondary certificate or diploma to enter the field — however, aspiring candidates may find higher rates of success in their job search if they have a qualification under their belt.
Office administration courses are offered by public and private universities and colleges, where students work towards a certificate in programs that typically take a year to complete. On top of key communication skills, students learn about everything from Word processing to transcription to cloud computing.
Beyond general office administration courses, candidates can also choose to pursue more specialized programs, which typically grant diplomas. For example, medical office administration courses are typically two-year programs that teach students key skills for working in physician’s offices, hospitals, care facilities, and other healthcare centres. Similarly, legal office administration programs also run for up to two years, teaching students the skills and terminology they need to know to produce legal documents, manage legal client files, and more.
Students can also choose to specialize in executive office administration; a two-year diploma teaches students how to support the executive level of an organization, from project management and event planning to business writing and research.
Upon graduation, students can further develop their skills through the Canadian Certified Administrative Professional (CCAP), taking seven courses to receive their certification, administered through the Association of Administrative Professionals (AAP).
AAP’s other certificate is the Canadian Certified Administrative Professional Associate, which is similar to the CCAP, but requires four courses instead of seven. AAP is partnered with several accredited universities and colleges across the country for pre-approved courses.
The Office Administration – General program at Mohawk College is a one-year certificate that prepares students for office roles. It focuses on business communication, office procedures, technology, and customer service, along with skills in bookkeeping, data entry, and administrative support. … Continue reading
The Office Administration – Executive program at Seneca Polytechnic is a one-year diploma offering hands-on training in business office procedures, document preparation, and Microsoft Office applications. It emphasizes professionalism, ethics, and effective communication skills. The program includes a mandatory field … Continue reading
Sep 1 - Sep 1, 2027
Tuition
$1,812
Scholarships available
Tuition
$1,812
Scholarships available
The Office Administration – Health Services program at Mohawk College is a two-year diploma that prepares students for administrative roles in healthcare. The program covers medical office procedures, medical terminology, patient records, and health information systems, alongside essential business communication … Continue reading
Fanshawe College’s Office Administration – General program is a one-year Ontario College Certificate, but the program is flexible for students wanting to study part-time (2 years) or full-time (1 year). Designed to equip students with essential administrative skills for modern … Continue reading
The Office Administration – General program at Centennial College is a one-year certificate designed to equip students with fundamental administrative skills for a variety of office environments. The program covers essential topics such as business communications, office procedures, document processing, … Continue reading
Tuition
$2,721
Scholarships available
Tuition
$2,721
Scholarships available
The Office Administration program, a one-year certificate at Durham College, provides students with the essential skills needed to succeed in administrative roles across various industries. The program focuses on office technologies, business communication, and office procedures, ensuring that graduates are … Continue reading
Tuition
$2,722
Tuition & Completion Data
Domestic
Last updated: March 4, 2026
International
See below for the latest data on international student tuition across Canada, excluding housing costs and ancillary fees.
Source: Statistics Canada 2023
Careers
Whether working in a physical office or remotely, there are several career options open for office administrators, whose tasks can include everything from managing office supplies to overseeing budget allocations.
Over 100,000 jobs are expected to be created in the field of office administration over the next ten years, according to the Canadian Occupational Projection System. Overall, the market is projected to remain balanced, meaning job prospects will be favourable for first-time office administration professionals.
These are a few of the possible career paths administrators might pursue:
Office Administrator – $38,000 – $52,000
An office administrator (or administrative officer’s) role can include managing their employer’s office space — from physical filing to digital cloud computing — coordinating with vendors, and overseeing hiring procedures. Skills such as organization, time-management, and communication are essential.
Office Manager – $45,000 – $64,000
Office managers ensure the efficient operations of an office by handling administrative tasks, such as record-keeping and payroll, while managing other administrative staff. These individuals are highly organized while also having excellent interpersonal skills, keeping their team motivated.
University Admissions Officer – $51,000 – $79,000
Office administrators who are interested in helping students enroll in post-secondary institutions might consider a career as an university admissions officer. Under the employ of colleges or universities, admissions officers examine student applications, process tuition payments, schedule campus tours, and contact students regarding their application statuses. They might also assist prospective candidates with approaching scholarship and bursary offices as well as recommend clubs and courses.
Executive Assistant – $51,000 – $79,000
Executive assistants often work closely with upper management or in the C-suite of a business. They are expected to manage tasks like coordinating schedules, booking meetings and travel, preparing research for reports, and more.
Director of Administration – $78,000 – $130,000
These high-level professionals are responsible for all administrative requirements of an organization, from financial planning and budgeting to developing reports, overseeing human resources, and working closely with other departments to ensure the organization is reaching its targets.
Chief of Staff – $109,000 – $184,000
Chiefs of staff are the go-to person for executives, managing every area of their day; tasks can range from overseeing strategic projects to acting as ‘proxy’ for the executive in meetings, often resolving issues before they reach the executive. These professionals must be highly efficient, have excellent communication skills, and be closely attuned to stakeholders’ needs.
Salaries & Compensation
According to Glassdoor, Talent.com, and Indeed, the average salary for an office administrator is around $43,000, while an office manager can earn around $53,000 on average, with higher compensation reflecting experience and seniority. On the higher end of the scale, office directors can earn $100,000 a year, while chiefs of staff see average annual salaries upwards of $115,000.
Here is a closer look at salary ranges based on job type and seniority:
| Role | Average Salary in Canada |
|---|---|
| Office Administrator | $44,928 |
| Office Manager | $53,222 |
| University Admissions Officer | $59,510 |
| Executive Assistant | $62,680 |
| Director of Administration | $100,679 |
| Chief of Staff | $117,462 |