Salaries and Costs
Entry level administrators in Chatham often earn £21,000 to £24,000. Experienced coordinators tend to sit between £25,000 and £30,000. Senior PA and EA roles can reach £35,000 to £42,000. Temp pay rates for general admin usually fall between £11 and £14 per hour. Specialist roles like medical secretaries and school admissions can reach £15 to £18 per hour during peak periods. Local recruitment agencies and staffing agencies in the town quote placement fees that commonly range from 12% to 18% for permanent hires. Temp charge rates vary by holiday pay and margins, so expect £16 to £22 per hour for typical office support. Always agree terms in writing, confirm rebate windows, and ask for a clear breakdown of agency costs and recruitment fees.
Qualifications
Most employers ask for GCSEs in English and Maths with solid IT skills. NVQ or Diploma in Business Administration is well regarded in local businesses. Strong Microsoft 365 knowledge is valued, including Outlook, Excel, and Teams. Typing speed, accuracy, and attention to detail carry weight for document-heavy roles. For NHS and education settings, agencies may request evidence of safeguarding awareness. Recruitment consultants will often test MS Office skills before shortlist, so candidates gain from practice on real tasks.
Roles and career paths
Admin recruitment agencies in Chatham cover reception, data entry, team administrator, scheduler, sales support, finance admin, and payroll assistant. Medical secretary, school administrator, and housing officer roles appear across the wider Medway area. Career paths often move from receptionist to senior administrator, then to office manager or PA. With finance exposure, candidates branch into accounts assistant or credit control. With HR exposure, candidates progress into HR administrator and advisor tracks. Executive search comes into play for experienced office managers and EAs who support senior leadership.
Local hiring challenges
Chatham sits within the Medway towns, so employers compete with Rochester, Gillingham, and Strood for the same workforce. High-speed rail links to St Pancras and services to London Victoria mean some candidates commute, which can tighten supply on busy days. Term time can trigger short-notice needs in schools, and winter pressures lift demand for NHS admin. Temp agencies handle holiday cover around Dockside retail and service hubs. Local employers who move fast on interviews, give clear duties, and confirm pay ranges tend to secure stronger acceptance rates and better retention.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Public services, healthcare, education, housing, and logistics underpin steady admin hiring across Medway. Chatham Maritime and Dockside host offices that need reception and customer service teams. The Medway City Estate brings call handling, transport planning, and invoicing roles. The Pentagon area and High Street retail create steady front-desk and back-office work. Local employers lean on agencies to hire staff for projects, seasonal peaks, and maternity cover. Candidates can register with an agency to gain access to jobs that never hit the boards.
Regulatory or compliance standards
Right to work checks, proofs of address, and two references are standard in the local labour market. Many schools and NHS teams request DBS checks for admin posts. GDPR awareness is important for anyone handling patient or pupil data. Some housing and council-linked roles ask for safeguarding training. Agencies guide both sides on compliance steps before start dates, which keeps onboarding clean and reduces delays.
Regional or geographic variations
Hiring patterns reflect Medway’s commuter links, with the A2 and M2 drawing candidates from Rainham and Sittingbourne. Rail brings applicants from Maidstone and Gravesend. Travel times shape pay expectations, so roles near Chatham station can attract wider interest. Parking access around business parks like Medway City Estate matters for early shift work. Recruiters often factor these points when advising on salaries and pay rates to find employees quickly.
Market and trend snapshots
Hybrid working remains common for back-office teams, yet reception and facilities roles stay on site. CRM and Excel skills drive shortlist success, and customer contact experience helps across service-led employers. Agencies report stronger demand for multi-skilled administrators who can cover diary support, invoicing, and basic reporting. Employment firms and recruitment agencies that pre-test candidates reduce interview stages and speed decisions, which supports fill rates when the job market tightens.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What admin contract types are most common in Chatham?
Temporary, permanent, and fixed-term contracts are all active, with temp to perm a frequent route for office support roles.
How fast can a temp administrator start?
Same day is possible for simple cover, with ID checks cleared and a short brief agreed with the consultant.
What software skills help candidates stand out?
Confident use of Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams helps, alongside CRM experience and accurate data entry.
Do agencies handle executive support roles?
Yes, many recruitment agencies manage office manager and EA posts, and some use executive search for senior appointments.
What should employers share to speed hiring?
A clear job brief, pay range, location details, and interview availability help recruitment consultants shortlist faster and secure the right hire.