SOC 4141 Administrative occupations

Office managers Salary

Median salary £35,000 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £35,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For office managers, £38,630 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -1.0% versus the national average. Experienced office managers (top 25%) earn over £47,154.

About this role

Office managers manage front-of-house operations and office administration. They greet visitors, handle telephone and email enquiries, coordinate administrative functions and ensure the workplace runs efficiently and professionally.

Key responsibilities

Greeting visitors and managing front-of-house operations
Handling telephone calls, emails and general enquiries
Managing office supplies, facilities and administrative systems
Coordinating meetings, bookings and room management
Supporting wider administrative and business functions

Qualifications and entry routes

Relevant experience and strong communication skills are the primary requirements. Administrative qualifications and IT proficiency are valued.

Career outlook

Automation is reducing some routine administrative roles, but demand remains for skilled administrators who can manage complex workflows and support senior teams.

Key skills

Customer service Communication IT skills Multi-tasking Organisation

Common industries

All sectors
Professional services
Healthcare
Hospitality
Education

Data coverage

SOC code 4141

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 195,000

Median Salary

£35,000

Mean Salary

£37,236

Jobs (000s)

195k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £15kP25: £26kMedian: £35kP75: £47kP90: £59k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£14,924

0-2 years

Mid Level

£25,607

3-7 years

Senior

£47,154

8-15 years

Leadership

£58,804

15+ years

Potential career growth: +294% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +25.7%Real growth: -8.9%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 23.9%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£35,000

Full-time Only

£38,630

Full-time premium: +£3,630

Office managers salary: common questions

How much do office managers earn in the UK?

Office managers earn a median of £38,630 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £25,607 and £47,154.

Is £38,630 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for office managers?

Entry-level office managers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £25,607, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £14,924.

How much do the highest-paid office managers earn?

The best-paid 10% of office managers earn over £58,804 a year, and the top 25% over £47,154 (ONS ASHE 2025).

Have office managers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median office managers pay has risen from £29,938 to £38,630 — +29% in cash terms, or -6.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for office managers?

Male office managers earn a median £42,749 and female office managers £32,518 — a gap of +24% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).