Salaries and costs
Admin salaries in Andover tend to range from £22,000 to £28,000 for Receptionist and Administrator roles, with Senior Administrators and Office Managers reaching £30,000 to £35,000, depending on sector and scope. Temp agencies set pay rates that often range from £11 to £16 per hour for office support, including customer service, data entry, and PA cover. Recruitment fees for employment firms and staffing agencies vary by service level, with typical percentage fees of 12% to 18% for contingency hires and higher for executive search when the brief requires extra research. Local employers can ask recruiters to quote fixed agency costs for repeat hiring, which helps forecast budgets and improves retention.
Qualifications
Most admin jobs ask for strong GCSEs, confident MS Office use, and clear communication. Many recruitment consultants suggest Level 2 or Level 3 certificates in Business Administration or Customer Service for entry roles. PA and EA jobs sometimes mention shorthand or advanced Excel, with CRM knowledge valued in sales support. Employment firms will check right-to-work documents and may request DBS checks for roles in schools, healthcare, or care settings.
Roles and career paths
Recruitment agencies in Andover place candidates into Receptionist, Administrator, Sales Administrator, Scheduling Coordinator, HR Administrator, Accounts Assistant, Office Manager, PA, and EA roles. Temp agencies cover holiday leave, seasonal peaks, and project work, then convert to permanent when both sides are happy. A common path runs from Receptionist to Senior Administrator, then to Team Leader or Office Manager, with sideways moves into HR, finance support, or customer success.
Hiring challenges
Local businesses often want immediate starters, yet notice periods and onboarding can slow things down. Good recruiters pre-register candidates who can start within a week, which helps when call volumes rise or system migrations begin. Job seekers sometimes receive multiple offers in the same week, so clear job specs, transparent salaries, and quick interviews help avoid delays. Recruitment consultants can presift for typing speed, system knowledge, and phone tone, which reduces no-shows and increases retention.
Local hiring challenges
Andover’s job market is shaped by strong commuter links on the A303 and rail into Basingstoke, Salisbury, and London Waterloo, so some candidates compare roles further afield. Business parks such as Andover Business Park and Portway attract logistics and manufacturing, which draws administrators into planning, stock control, and transport desks. Agencies advise employers to highlight on-site parking, flexible hours, or hybrid options where possible, which helps to find employees from nearby villages and the wider Test Valley area.
Temporary, permanent, and contract work
Temp assignments cover reception, invoicing backlogs, mailroom, and customer service during product launches. Contract work supports ERP changeovers or data cleansing projects, with defined end dates and set day rates. Permanent hiring is suited to roles that guard client relationships or manage compliance. Candidates can register with an agency to access all three, then move from temp to perm when the fit is right.
Executive search
Office leadership roles such as Practice Manager, Operations Manager, or Senior EA to the board often sit with executive search teams. These recruiters map competitors, agree on a short target list, and run discreet approaches. Fees are staged, with an upfront engagement fee and a balance due upon acceptance of the offer, which keeps both parties focused on quality and retention.
Regional or geographic variations
Pay rates in Andover can differ by sector, with defence, utilities, and engineering offering higher bands for security-cleared administrators. Retail and hospitality head offices often set mid-range salaries with wider benefits such as discounts, paid breaks, or study support. Rural locations may expand travel allowances or support carpooling, helping job seekers without direct rail links.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Recruiters report steady admin demand from logistics hubs on the A303 corridor, public sector offices, healthcare providers, schools, and professional services. Finance teams need support with the purchase ledger and credit control. Customer contact centres look for resilient administrators who can switch between email, phone, and chat systems.
Market snapshots
The labour market remains tight for experienced Office Managers and strong EAs, with interview slots filling quickly at month end and quarter. Broad admin pools remain healthy for entry roles, yet competition rises when adverts offer hybrid working and training budgets. Agencies that brief candidates well on systems, dress code, and parking see better day-one attendance and stronger week-one performance.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What admin software should candidates mention on a CV?
MS Office, Outlook calendars, Teams or Zoom, and any CRM or ERP used in the role, such as Salesforce, Sage, or SAP.
What are typical temp admin notice periods in Andover?
Same-day to one week is common, though some assignments start immediately upon onboarding completion.
How do agencies price temp admin staff?
An hourly pay rate for the candidate plus an agency margin and holiday pay, with VAT on top.
Can an employer request payroll and right-to-work checks?
Yes, reputable recruiters run these checks before placement and keep records to support audits.
What is a fair shortlist size for a permanent admin vacancy?
Three to five candidates are typical, keeping interviews focused and avoiding delays.