Office and administrative job descriptions
Front office, executive support, customer service, and bookkeeping roles. 6 free, ready-to-post templates with May 2025 BLS pay data, exempt status guidance, legal notes, interview questions, and a PDF.
Office roles look easy to describe and are often described badly. "Administrative assistant" can mean answering phones for a dental practice or running board logistics for a CEO, and a vague posting attracts both kinds of applicant. The cure is specificity: who the person supports, which tools they use, and the two or three tasks that fill most of the week.
Office roles are also where salary-for-clerical misclassification happens most. Several descriptions below explain why administrative, receptionist, and bookkeeping roles are usually nonexempt even when they're paid a salary, and when an executive assistant or office manager might qualify for an exemption.
6 office and administrative job descriptions
Administrative assistant
Also called office assistant, administrative coordinator, department secretary.
Executive assistant
Also called executive administrative assistant, EA to the CEO, chief of staff (senior).
Receptionist
Also called front desk receptionist, front office coordinator, medical receptionist.
Office manager
Also called office administrator, operations coordinator, practice manager (healthcare).
Customer service representative
Also called customer support representative, call center agent, customer care specialist.
Bookkeeper
Also called accounting clerk, full-charge bookkeeper, accounts payable clerk.
Office and administrative pay snapshot
National median pay for every role in this department, highest to lowest. Use it as a starting point, then check local data before you set a range.
| Role | Median hourly | Annual equivalent | Overtime status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive assistant | $36.82 | $76,590 | Exempt or nonexempt |
| Office manager | $33.41 | $69,490 | Exempt or nonexempt |
| Bookkeeper | $24.36 | $50,670 | Nonexempt |
| Administrative assistant | $22.86 | $47,550 | Nonexempt |
| Customer service representative | $21.53 | $44,780 | Nonexempt |
| Receptionist | $18.27 | $38,000 | Nonexempt |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Annual equivalent is the hourly median x 2,080 hours. Overtime status is our general guidance; duties and pay decide each case.
Office and administrative hiring FAQ
Are office and administrative roles exempt from overtime?
How many responsibilities should an office job description list?
Should office job descriptions include physical requirements?
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