Discussions

I have a relative that is thinking about changing up their life and going back to school to obtain the admin assistant diploma. This started a discussion about what the wage would be for an admin assistant and we are pretty far apart on what we think it is. So I'm just wondering if anyone would be willing to share what the going rate is, starting and how it progresses. I said I thought it would be $16 or so starting and she thought it would closer to $22.

Would be interested to know where she is hearing a starting wage of $22.  
I have been an administrative assistant for 18 years. And still don't make that wage.  
I am thinking a starting wage of $15-17/hour would be more likely. Maybe less, depending on the company.

Never_give_up said "I have a relative that is thinking about changing up their life and going back to school to obtain the admin assistant diploma. This started a discussion about what the wage would be for an admin assistant and we are pretty far apart on what we think it is. So I'm just wondering if anyone would be willing to share what the going rate is, starting and how it progresses. I said I thought it would be $16 or so starting and she thought it would closer to $22. "

maybe in a different city where there are more government, university, big business jobs.  
 
I don't think that wage is reasonable for Brandon, would be nice though.

you will never make $22. any type of assistant wont make that. Very rare. To make $22 you will definately need to be in a bigger city, and I dont think Winnipeg either. It would be like Toronto.

most of their admin assistants get over $22  
 
https://www.brandonu.ca/vp-finance/files/For-the-year-ended-December-31-2015.pdf  
 
think they call that position "Clerk"

You do get that in Winnipeg. My friend makes more than I do and doesn't even have her grade 12

Getty said "you will never make $22. any type of assistant wont make that. Very rare. To make $22 you will definately need to be in a bigger city, and I dont think Winnipeg either. It would be like Toronto. "

That is untrue. I know several people who make close to that amount, sometimes more.

*enter name here* said "    Getty said "you will never make $22. any type of assistant wont make that. Very rare. To make $22 you will definately need to be in a bigger city, and I dont think Winnipeg either. It would be like Toronto. " That is untrue. I know several people who make close to that amount, sometimes more. "

How long have they been working at the same job and what field of administrative assistant are they in?

would definitely depend on if they are a general admin assistant or if they took a specialization admin assistant ie: medical/legal and if they work for a private company or a union or govt. A quick look on ebrandon and job bank sites show that a general admin assistant doesn't make much over min wage starting if for a basic company but can be much higher if works within a union or govt position. Most specialized assistants don't make $22 an hour unless again, they have been at their job for 7 plus years or are in govt or union. This has also been my experience from research I did before taking admin program as well as from working in a specialized admin field.

A legal admin diploma... I started at $12.00 out of college and after 7 years and many upgrading courses along the way im up to about $19.00. There are a couple jobs around the city, BU for example that pay a little more if you can even get your foot in the door. Those 22 dollar positions are few and far inbetween and u definetly need experience or know the right person.

So Google wage search shows up to 50000 a year with 10 years experience. This is Canada wide takes into effect BC, Alberta and Ontario. Further break down shows 35000 with 7 years outside the 3 high wage provinces. With average 2000 hours per year equals 17.50 per hour.

If you work for a local company doing books, making appointment, etc. I can see that you are going to get anywhere from $13.00 to $17.00 (high end) per hour. If you work for one of the larger employers in town...City, BU, ACC, School Division, etc. you are going to start around $20.00 and depending on the position you end up in you could make up to about $25.00 an hour (those are few and far between). If you notice on Public Wage Releases...City...RHA...there are executive assistants that are making around $50,000.oo (plus) per year.

I took office admin 5 years ago and regret the hell out of it. I started at $11 an hour most I've ever gotten was $16 an hour. I'm not working in office admin currently because the job market for them the last few months has be terrible. I've actually made the decision to go back to college next year because I'm so unhappy in this field of work so I hope she really wants to do this job. I took office admin cause I didn't know what I wanted to do and it seemed like an easy thing to take. It's really not you get paid minimum wage most of the time and to be honest you get treated bad by some employers and most customers it sucks. Also you'll want to be good with accounting most want this now and won't pay you for the knowledge. It's just expected they roll admin and accounting into one position and highly under pay you for it.

Depends if making a bunch of money is your only goal. I work for an amazing company that treats their employees very well. I come to work happy and I leave happy....these days that's a bonus in itself.

Start at the bottom and climb to the top. Starting wage with a reputable company will be around the $16/$17 mark. If you show interest in education and want to climb the corporate ladder and conduct yourself properly and effectively at work, you'll soon be making 25$ plus. Good luck. (Although nothing comes down to luck, it comes down to Hard Work!)  
PS - Fake it til ya make it. If Donald Trump can pull off a presidency.... don't let her live in fear of limits.

Getty said "    *enter name here* said "    Getty said "you will never make $22. any type of assistant wont make that. Very rare. To make $22 you will definately need to be in a bigger city, and I dont think Winnipeg either. It would be like Toronto. " That is untrue. I know several people who make close to that amount, sometimes more. " How long have they been working at the same job and what field of administrative assistant are they in? "

Between 1-6 years. The basic admin assistants that are advertised on ebrandon.

even more and less work...

I had pretty much the same thing happen to me regarding the accounting.  
I had taken Office Admin and I accepted a position as an Admin Assistant.  
Because the boss was in the local Chamber of Commerce of the town, he loaded me with the entire year's accounting job of the town's Chamber of Commerce as well as my Admin Assistant job in his own business. All for the same pay.

Wage for admin jobs is low unless you can get in at the city, BU etc - good luck with that! Having payroll courses will help

I have taken the Office Amin course years ago and I would say that unless you know you can get a job in healthcare, or as others have stated, BU, City, etc. The pay is terrible. I worked in a law office as a legal assistant and only made $11/hr. I got into healthcare and worked my way up and now I am 2 years into my position and make just under $22/hr. It definitely requires a lot of time put in for experience and willingness to do lower level jobs to work your way up... You won't jump into a $22/hr job right at the start.. It will take years.. Hope this helps answer your question!

The wages in this field can really vary. In provincial government not that great, better in federal government, not great in most smaller businesses, but good in big business. $22 right now in private sector, took a pay cut from feds @ $25 per hour, but better benefits in big business than government! But yeah, if you don't have much experience you may have to settle for $14/hour while to get experience.