What the role actually covers
An office administrator keeps the operational side of a workplace running: records, supplier coordination, scheduling, petty cash and the hundred small things that otherwise land on a manager. Scope varies hugely between businesses, so a specific brief matters more here than in almost any other office role.
- Maintaining records, filing systems and document control
- Supplier coordination, ordering and basic vendor management
- Scheduling, travel and meeting logistics
- Petty cash handling and expense records where delegated
What has to be true on day one
Separate these from what a good candidate can learn in a few weeks — over-specifying is the fastest way to a brief that returns nobody.
- Organised working method you can see evidence of
- Spreadsheet competence beyond basic data entry
- Discretion with confidential records
How to assess the shortlist
Give a realistic multi-task exercise: three competing requests with one deadline conflict, and ask how they would sequence them and what they would escalate. Judgement about escalation is the differentiator.
The mistake employers make most often
Leaving cash and approval limits undefined. Decide what they can authorise before they start, not after the first awkward expense.
Salary in the twin cities
PKR 40,000 – PKR 80,000 / month is the typical range for this role in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Treat this as a starting benchmark, not a fixed figure. Actual rates move with experience, the specific brief and how competitive the skill is at the time of hiring.
Hiring by city
Frequently asked questions
What does a office administrator do?
An office administrator keeps the operational side of a workplace running: records, supplier coordination, scheduling, petty cash and the hundred small things that otherwise land on a manager. Scope varies hugely between businesses, so a specific brief matters more here than in almost any other office role.
What should we look for when hiring a office administrator?
Organised working method you can see evidence of. Spreadsheet competence beyond basic data entry. Discretion with confidential records.
How do we assess a office administrator?
Give a realistic multi-task exercise: three competing requests with one deadline conflict, and ask how they would sequence them and what they would escalate. Judgement about escalation is the differentiator.
What is the most common mistake hiring this role?
Leaving cash and approval limits undefined. Decide what they can authorise before they start, not after the first awkward expense.
What salary should we budget for a office administrator in Islamabad or Rawalpindi?
PKR 40,000 – PKR 80,000 / month is the typical range for this role in the twin cities. Confirm the current market rate against your specific brief rather than treating this as a fixed figure.
What does Staffly charge?
The standard direct-placement fee is one month of the agreed salary, payable when you hire. Your business pays the salary separately and employs the person directly. Every placement carries a written 6-month replacement guarantee, subject to its conditions.