About the job
Administrative officers oversee and implement administrative procedures, establish work priorities, conduct analyses of administrative operations and coordinate acquisition of administrative services such as office space, supplies and security services. They are employed throughout the private and public sectors. Administrative officers who are supervisors are included in this group.
- Oversee and coordinate office administrative procedures and review, evaluate and implement new procedures.
- Establish work priorities, delegate work to office support staff, and ensure deadlines are met and procedures are followed.
- Carry out administrative activities associated with admissions to post-secondary educational institutions.
- Administer policies and procedures related to the release of records in processing requests under government access to information and privacy legislation.
- Coordinate and plan for office services, such as accommodation, relocations, equipment, supplies, forms, disposal of assets, parking, maintenance and security services.
- Conduct analyses and oversee administrative operations related to budgeting, contracting and project planning and management processes.
- Assist in preparation of operating budget and maintain inventory and budgetary controls.
- Assemble data and prepare periodic and special reports, manuals and correspondence.
- May supervise records management technicians and related staff.
- access to information and privacy officer
- budget analyst
- business services officer
- financial aid officer
- liaison officer
- office manager
- ombudsman officer
- project manager - non-technical
- test administrator
- university admissions officer
To work in this field, you need excellent organizational and verbal communication skills. You will need to analyze detailed information and prepare budgets. You must have initiative, be willing to accept new ideas, and be comfortable making decisions. You will need to keep up-to-date with changes in office software and computing systems.
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- A university degree or college diploma in business or public administration may be required.
- Project management certification may be required by some employers.
Experience in a senior clerical or executive secretarial position related to office administration is usually required. Progression to administrative service management positions is possible with experience.
Labour Market Information
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow moderately over the next few years, which will likely provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Administrative Officers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions. Also, a fair portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.
The median employment income for 63% of Administrative Officers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $45,116. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Occupation | Estimated employment in 2018 | Estimated change in employment between 2017 and 2019 | Estimated openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019 | Estimated rate of unemployment in 2018 | Estimated hourly earnings in 2015 (learn more) | Estimated annual earnings in 2015 |
Administrative Officers | 6,105 | Moderate growth | 530 | Moderate | Minimum: $13.50 Median: $21.00 Maximum: $32.31 | Minimum: $9,660 Median: $38,498 Maximum: $70,081 |
Occupations in Business, Finance, and Administration | 63,775 | Moderate growth | 6,600 | Low | Minimum: $13.00 Median: $21.03 Maximum: $35.90 | Minimum: $6,754 Median: $36,515 Maximum: $70,271 |
Administrative Officers | Compared to: Occupations in Business, Finance, and Administration | |
Percent employed full-time | 84% | 81% |
Percent self-employed | 28% | 7% |
Area of Employment | Administrative Officers | Compared to: All NS Occupations | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Southern | 9% | $30,904 | 12% | $30,581 |
Northern | 13% | $38,173 | 16% | $33,660 |
Cape Breton | 10% | $37,870 | 13% | $32,974 |
Halifax | 56% | $42,898 | 47% | $41,209 |
Annapolis Valley | 12% | $35,686 | 13% | $32,958 |

Age | Administrative Officers | Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration |
% Employed | % Employed | |
15-24 | 2% | x |
25-34 | 15% | 6% |
35-44 | 24% | 19% |
45-54 | 32% | 36% |
55-64 | 22% | 28% |
65+ | 4% | 11% |
Median Age | 49 | 48 |

Gender | Administrative Officers | Compared to: Occupations in Business, Finance, and Administration |
% Employed | % Employed | |
Female | 86% | 73% |
Male | 14% | 27% |
Education | Administrative Officers | Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Less than high school | 2.8% | $27,658 | 4.7% | $23,775 |
High school | 21.0% | $37,502 | 23.7% | $30,074 |
Trades certificate | 4.4% | $37,798 | 5.8% | $32,871 |
College certificate or diploma | 39.0% | $41,854 | 34.4% | $33,837 |
University certificate or diploma | 3.2% | $43,829 | 3.0% | $35,053 |
Bachelor's degree | 23.7% | $45,824 | 22.9% | $39,473 |
University advanced certificate or diploma | 1.4% | $48,905 | 1.7% | $40,672 |
Master's degree | 0.2% | $51,998 | 3.6% | $23,407 |
Doctorate | 4.4% | $63,964 | 0.2% | $48,614 |
Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry | 0.2% | x | 0.1% | $41,688 |
Total | 100% | 100% |
Hourly earnings data are from the Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada. Data are not available for all occupations. Hourly earnings are calculated based on usual hours worked per week. This is how an annual salary, for instance, gets converted to an hourly rate. The data include full and part-time workers along with new and experienced workers. Self-employed workers are excluded.
Annual employment income data reported in the Work Prospects section, are from the 2011 National Household Survey by Statistics Canada. Much of the data (around 70%) came directly from tax records. The data relates to the year 2010 and includes total wages and salaries and net income from self-employment.
Employment Requirements & Contacts
Training Paths & Education
This instructional program class comprises any program that generally prepares individuals to perform the duties of administrative assistants and/or secretaries and stenographers. These programs include courses in business communications, principles of business law, word processing and data entry, office machines operation and maintenance, office procedures, public relations, secretarial accounting, filing systems and records management, and report preparation.
This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.
This instructional program class comprises any program that generally prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. These programs include courses in management theory, human resources management and behaviour, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.
This instructional program class comprises any program not listed above that relates to Business Administration, Management and Operations.
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and non-profit public and private institutions and agencies. The program prepares individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.
This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to supervise and manage the operations and personnel of business offices and management-level divisions. These programs include courses in employee supervision, management, and labour relations; budgeting; scheduling and coordination; office systems operation and maintenance; office records management, organization, and security; office facilities design and space management; preparation and evaluation of business management data; and public relations.
This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to apply quantitative and qualitative knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to manage projects in a wide range of fields and occupations. These programs include courses in project planning, risk management, cost and time management, contracts and procurement, accounting, statistics, decision making, and human resources.
There are no additional resources for this occupation.