Business & Office

How to become an Office Manager

From admin assistant: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

2–4 years

Typical pay

$52k–$70k

Starting from

Admin assistant

The steps

1. 1

   Come from an admin role

   You need to have done the tasks you will now be coordinating.

   2–3 years

   Course that covers thisPersonal Secretary: Office and Administrative AssistantUdemy · around $19.99 →
2. 2

   Take on vendors and budget

   Facilities, suppliers and spend — the difference from senior admin.

   1 year

3. 3

   Add light bookkeeping and HR

   In smaller companies the office manager quietly owns both.

   Course that covers thisAccounting 101: Beginner's Guide to Bookkeeping & FinancesUdemy · around $24.99 →

Course links are Udemy affiliate links — we earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Licences and exams named above are issued by state boards and certifying bodies we have no relationship with; we list them because they are what the job actually requires.