Salaries and Costs
Admin pay in Stratford reflects wider East London rates, with entry-level administrators often on £24,000-£28,000 and experienced office managers on £35,000-£45,000. Hourly temp rates for reception, data entry, or PA cover usually range from £13 to £20, depending on skills and software proficiency. Local recruiters will talk through recruitment fees and agency costs upfront, with permanent placement fees often set as a percentage of annual salary, and temp margins quoted as an hourly uplift that covers holiday pay and statutory oncosts. Employers can benchmark a short assignment at £250-£600 for a single day of specialist PA cover when urgency is high. Jobseekers can expect weekly pay for temps and clear payslips that set out holiday accruals and pension details. Businesses should budget for onboarding time, equipment, and any DBS checks where needed. Clear service level terms keep retention strong and limit repeat spend.
Qualifications
Most admin hires hinge on MS Office fluency, confident email etiquette, and accurate typing. Many employers ask for Excel to an intermediate level, plus experience with platforms like SharePoint, Teams, or Google Workspace. Roles in education, healthcare, or housing may need a Standard or Enhanced DBS, and charities often ask for proven CRM knowledge. PAs and senior administrators gain an edge with shorthand, minute-taking, and diary management across multiple time zones. Candidates who complete short courses in Excel lookups, PowerPoint slide design, or basic bookkeeping can command better pay rates. Employers value a calm phone manner, tidy documentation, and punctuality. Recruiters will test software skills and right-to-work status as standard before submitting a candidate to a role.
Regional or geographic variations
Stratford sits in the London Borough of Newham, with fast links via Stratford station on the Central, Jubilee, DLR, Elizabeth line, and London Overground. The International Quarter and offices around Westfield Stratford City fuel steady demand for reception, helpdesk, and office support. Many candidates commute from Leyton, Forest Gate, Plaistow, and Bow, which widens the catchment for short-notice temp shifts. Employers near Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park see spikes in event administration and customer service during conferences and during seasonal footfall. Proximity to Canary Wharf brings requests for corporate PAs with financial services polish. Businesses benefit from a broad talent pool that is comfortable with hybrid patterns across East London.
Local hiring challenges
Short-lead-time bookings are common, so verified temps with immediate availability move quickly. Diary managers with complex travel booking knowledge can be hard to find. Roles that blend admin with finance support, such as sales ledger or procurement, often need stronger systems skills and attract higher pay. Employers sometimes ask for niche software like Salesforce, SAP, or Dynamics, which narrows the field. School and NHS administrators require compliance steps that extend timelines. Clear job briefs, sensible interview windows, and realistic salary bands help secure offers. Recruiters will flag counteroffer risk where candidates sit in stable teams with progression on the table.
Common job roles agencies recruit for
Typical requests include receptionist, office administrator, team assistant, PA, EA, data entry clerk, HR administrator, and office manager. Stratford employers also hire for operations coordinator, compliance assistant, housing administrator, facilities coordinator, and community services admin. Contact centre roles come up near major retail and transport hubs, with rota-based schedules and weekend cover. Temp-to-perm pathways suit growing businesses that want to test a culture fit. Candidates should keep their CVs clean, with dates, software, and clear achievements, to speed up shortlisting.
Contract types and availability
Recruiters in Stratford handle temporary, permanent, and contract work across office hours and shift patterns. Temps keep teams moving during maternity leave, sick cover, and project peaks. Fixed-term contracts support system migrations or data clean-ups. Permanent hires anchor reception and office management, where continuity matters. Employers can hire staff for hybrid roles with two or three days on site, which suits Stratford’s transport links. Jobseekers who are open to early starts or late finishes often secure better hourly rates. Register with an agency that understands your sector, your hiring cycle, and your payroll needs.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Retail head offices, property services, education providers, and healthcare clinics all need reliable admin support around Stratford. Construction and facilities businesses near major regeneration zones lean on project coordinators and document controllers. Charities and local government services in Newham recruit case administrators and minute takers for committee work. Tech and media outfits around Here East and neighbouring districts request studio assistants and operations support during campaign bursts. Strong customer service skills pair well with ticketing or visitor services during busy periods at nearby venues.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What are typical admin temp rates in Stratford?
Most bookings run at £13 to £20 per hour, with senior PA cover higher for complex diaries and urgent starts.
How much are recruitment fees for a permanent admin hire?
Expect a percentage of your annual salary, with rebates tied to a clear guarantee period that protects your spending.
Which software skills help an admin candidate stand out?
Excel, Outlook, and Teams are core, and experience with CRMs, SAP, or Salesforce will lift your profile and pay.
Do employers in Stratford hire hybrid admin staff?
Yes, many roles run for two or three days on site, which aligns with Stratford’s strong transport links and office clusters.
Is a DBS check needed for admin roles?
Only where the setting demands it, such as schools, the NHS, or certain housing and community services.