Salaries and Costs
Most office administrator roles sit around £21,000 to £25,000 in the city. Experienced team admins reach £26,000 to £28,000 in finance or legal settings. Reception pay often runs at £20,000 to £23,000 in central locations. HR or payroll administrators track at £24,000 to £28,000 where system skills matter. Personal assistants tend to fall between £27,000 and £32,000. Executive assistants can reach £35,000 to £38,000 in regulated sectors. Temp work for general admin is often £11 to £14 per hour. Specialist assignments can reach £15 to £18 per hour. Permanent recruitment fees are commonly 12% to 18% of basic salary. Temp charge rates blend pay, holiday accrual, NI, pension, and an agency margin.
Qualifications
Employers want confident written English and strong MS Office skills. GCSEs set a base for most office roles. OCR or NVQ Business Administration at Level 2 or Level 3 helps entry candidates. HR administrator roles may ask for CIPD Level 3 or progress to Level 5. Finance support roles value AAT Level 2 and familiarity with Sage, Xero, or Excel reporting. Typing speed checks and data accuracy tests are common at shortlisting. AccessNI checks can apply in health, education, or public sector teams.
Regional or geographic variations
City centre offices near Donegall Place and the Cathedral Quarter tend to pay at the higher end. Titanic Quarter, the Gasworks Business Park, and the Harbour Estate house many back office and customer support teams. The M1, M2, Westlink, Glider services, and NI Railways widen the candidate pool. George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast International help visiting leaders, which can raise demand for skilled PAs and EAs.
Local hiring challenges
Demand is steady for experienced office managers and executive assistants. Public sector bodies and large shared service centres can draw candidates toward fixed hours and strong pensions. Retention improves when job scope is clear and hybrid patterns are set early. Shortlists tighten around audit periods, year end, and university term starts.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Healthcare trusts, higher education, housing bodies, and central government create consistent demand for administrators. Financial services and professional services add volume for document control and MI reporting. Contact centres need data entry and complaints handling skills. Legal practices recruit legal secretaries with proven document production speed.
Common job roles agencies recruit for in this area
Office administrators, receptionists, and team assistants form the core of many shortlists. HR administrators and payroll administrators support workforce cycles. Sales support and order processing remain active within manufacturing and distribution. PAs and EAs manage diaries, travel, board packs, and minutes. Medical secretaries and legal secretaries need strong typing and sector terminology.
Temporary, permanent, and contract work
Temp agencies cover sick leave, holiday peaks, and project backlogs at short notice. Contract work suits system rollouts and migrations with defined goals. Permanent hiring supports continuity and training plans. Jobseekers who register with an agency can step between temp and fixed term posts to build references.
Executive search and senior admin
Employment firms with search teams can map the EA and office manager market for discreet moves. A good brief sets culture, event cycles, travel demand, and stakeholder depth. Shortlists highlight discretion, vendor liaison, and minute taking for regulated meetings. Search projects often use a retainer or staged fee with clear reporting.
Market and workforce snapshots
The local labour market stays active around financial year ends and term changeovers. Businesses value CRM familiarity, a clear telephone manner, and reliable attendance. Hybrid policies vary by employer, so state office days at the start of the process. Admin recruitment agencies in Belfast can guide pay rates, agency costs, and likely time to fill across boroughs and business parks.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What are typical admin temp rates in Belfast?
£11 to £14 per hour for general admin, with £15 to £18 for specialist work.
How quickly can a temp start?
Same day is possible once right to work and references clear.
Do agencies handle AccessNI checks?
Yes, where the role needs it, with timelines set by the process.
What fees apply for permanent admin hires?
Many agencies quote 12% to 18% of basic salary depending on terms.
Do executive assistants command a premium in Belfast?
Yes, £35,000 to £38,000 is common in finance, legal, or tech.
Can I hire part time or job share admin staff?
Yes, recruitment consultants can source part time and term time patterns.
Where are admin roles most common in Belfast?
City centre, Titanic Quarter, Gasworks, and routes near the Westlink and key rail stops.