What is an administrator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Bill McGinley
introduction image

An administrator is responsible for managing and coordinating the operations of an organization or department. They are responsible for ensuring smooth functioning by overseeing various tasks, such as budgeting, staffing, and organizing. Administrators work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and private organizations. They are also responsible for maintaining records and ensuring compliance with regulations. Additionally, administrators may also be involved in decision-making processes and strategic planning to achieve organizational goals.

What general advice would you give to an Administrator?

B

Bill McGinleyBill McGinley LinkedIn Profile

President & CEO, American College of Health Care Administrators

LTC administrators should have at least a bachelor's degree in business or a healthcare-related field. A well-rounded internship that exposes the future administrator to all aspects of the operation is essential. Needed skills include business, marketing, finance, operations, management and leadership.
Post pandemic opportunities will be nationwide in this field with a greater need in rural areas.
Technology will continue to play a big role in the field. Computerized medical records, census management, and all clinical areas will continue to dominate. Online meetings are liable to continue as well, as employers realize that there is a savings to be gained by not having people travel to meetings and conferences.
ScoreAdministratorUS Average
Salary
5.7

Avg. Salary $72,882

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.7

Growth Rate 5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 8.76%

Black or African American 8.91%

Hispanic or Latino 12.59%

Unknown 5.09%

White 64.34%

Gender

female 64.04%

male 35.96%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress Level
5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.0

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
7.1

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Administrator?

Pros

Cons

  • Dealing with difficult employees or clients

  • High level of accountability for mistakes or errors

  • Need to constantly adapt to changing policies and procedures

  • Potential for conflicts with colleagues or superiors

  • Can be stressful during times of organizational change or crisis

Administrator career paths

Key steps to become an administrator

  1. Explore administrator education requirements

    Most common administrator degrees

    Bachelor's

    56.2 %

    Associate

    17.5 %

    Master's

    12.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific administrator skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Customer Service18.07%
    Data Entry7.32%
    Troubleshoot5.74%
    Payroll5.52%
    Financial Reports3.97%
  3. Complete relevant administrator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New administrators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an administrator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real administrator resumes.
  4. Gain additional administrator certifications

    Administrator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific administrator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for administrators include Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research administrator duties and responsibilities

    • Develop a Perl script to manage the LDAP schema.
    • Hire and manage all receptionists and assistant MCA's.
    • Used all tools of Java stack in supporting and managing it.
    • Manage and process product orders on windows base on-line computer network system.
  6. Prepare your administrator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your administrator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an administrator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Administrator Resume templates

    Build a professional Administrator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Administrator resume.
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  7. Apply for administrator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an administrator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Administrator Job

Zippi

Are you an Administrator?

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Average administrator salary

The average Administrator salary in the United States is $72,882 per year or $35 per hour. Administrator salaries range between $46,000 and $113,000 per year.

Average Administrator Salary
$72,882 Yearly
$35.04 hourly

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How do administrators rate their job?

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Administrator reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Cons

every day i learn new think,because i have background of computer science and i have to taring the non IT technical awareness staff


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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