Understanding compensation trends is more important than ever, whether you’re competing for administrative and customer support talent or planning your next career move. While overall salary growth has moderated compared with recent years, opportunity remains strong for professionals who build the skills and strategies that drive success.
The 2026 Salary Guide from Robert Half projects that salaries for administrative and customer support professionals will rise an average of 2.5% year over year, reflecting steady demand across office, customer service and operations roles. What matters most is not just the percentage increase but where employers are investing in specialized skills—and how professionals can align their career paths to meet that demand.
Administrative and Customer Support Salaries 2026: Roles and Skills in High Demand
Administrative and customer support salary growth in context
Looking back at recent projections shows how the market has evolved—and where new opportunities are emerging.
In 2023, administrative and customer support salaries were projected to increase 6.8%
In 2024, projections moderated to 3.9%
By 2025, the average projected increase was 3.5%
Heading into 2026, salaries are projected to rise 2.5% on average.
While growth has slowed, it remains steady and strategic. The strongest projected gains are in customer support roles (+3.0%) and executive, administrative and property management assistant positions (+2.6%), where employers value professionals who combine service excellence with digital fluency.
The market is shifting toward specialization. Professionals with technical and analytical skills should continue to find steady opportunities, even if growth slows.
Roles driving higher salaries in administrative and customer support
Several positions stand out for above-average projected growth in 2026:
Customer Support Specialist—+3.0%
Executive Assistant—+2.6%
Administrative Project Manager—+2.6%
Office Manager—+2.6%
Property Management Assistant—+2.6%
These roles highlight where employers are willing to pay more and where professionals can build lasting, future-ready careers. Today’s administrative and customer service professionals aren’t just supporting operations, they’re driving them—coordinating projects, managing budgets and connecting teams, leadership and clients.
The value of specialized administrative and customer support skills
It’s not just the role you hold but the skills you bring to it. According to the 2026 Salary Guide, 83% of administrative and customer support leaders offer higher pay to candidates with specialized skills compared with those without.
Top skills that command higher pay include:
Customer experience
Team management
AI-driven data management
Data analysis
Employers seek professionals who use technology to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Generative AI and automation are reshaping daily workflows, from drafting correspondence to summarizing customer interactions and managing schedules. Tools such as Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini help professionals automate repetitive tasks and focus on higher-value priorities. Many teams are also integrating AI into customer relationship management platforms to anticipate client needs, detect sentiment and resolve issues faster.
Administrative professionals who build confidence with AI and automation tools and can demonstrate their impact will be positioned for faster pay growth and stronger paths to promotion.
Certifications that boost earning potential
Certifications help administrative and customer support professionals stand out in a competitive market. Employers see them as proof of commitment and expertise, while professionals can leverage credentials to open doors to higher-paying roles and greater career mobility.
Among the most valuable certifications for 2026:
Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Certified Customer Service Professional (CCSP)
Google Workspace Certification
Encouraging certification programs signals an investment in people, and it’s one of the simplest ways for employers to build loyalty and engagement in a competitive hiring environment.
Industries paying more for administrative and customer support skills
Some industries are projected to see stronger competition for administrative and customer support talent in 2026, creating salary advantages for professionals who align their expertise with sector-specific needs.
Construction: Growing demand for project coordination, logistics management and data-driven scheduling
Education: Increased emphasis on data tracking, student information systems and program administration
Healthcare: Continued need for compliance, scheduling, patient communication and record management
Professional services: Ongoing demand for executive assistants, office managers and client service specialists who can manage complex workflows
Across these industries, the Administrative and Customer Support Salary Guide and Demand for Skilled Talent report show that professionals with technical skills, like data tracking, CRM platforms and process automation, may earn higher starting salaries. Coordination and communication skills remain vital for managing teams and ensuring smooth client or patient interactions.
Professionals who combine digital fluency, communication and organizational skills are best positioned for higher pay and advancement in 2026.
Emerging roles in administrative and customer support
As technology transforms operations, new hybrid positions are emerging that merge traditional support with analytics, process improvement and customer experience.
Business Intelligence Assistant: Supports data gathering and dashboard management to inform business decisions
Customer Education Specialist: Develops onboarding content and tutorials that strengthen engagement and loyalty
Data Annotation Project Assistant: Coordinates data labeling and verification for AI model training and automation initiatives
These emerging roles are still evolving, which makes salary benchmarking a challenge. Professionals who gain early experience in analytics, CRM or automation tools will be ahead of the curve when these positions become mainstream.
Upskilling and contract talent: Building the workforce of the future
Employers see retention, faster hiring and stronger skill sets as opportunities to strengthen administrative and customer support teams. More than half report skills gaps within their departments, prompting many to invest in upskilling and engage skilled contract professionals.
Contract talent offers agility, helping teams manage workloads, adopt new technology and access specialized expertise without long-term cost commitments. At the same time, upskilling remains essential. Training employees in CRM systems, project coordination tools and digital communication platforms boosts efficiency and retention while preparing teams for future demands.
The 2026 Salary Guide from Robert Half highlights how professionals who stay current with technology and process tools often earn higher starting pay and advance faster. To complement these efforts, Robert Half’s article on administrative assistant interview questions to ask every time helps employers identify candidates who already demonstrate these in-demand abilities. Asking targeted questions about technology, multitasking and customer interaction supports smarter hiring and aligns recruitment with long-term development goals.
Success in 2026 will come from balancing agility with growth—building teams that combine the flexibility of contract talent with the lasting strength of continuous learning.
Total compensation matters in administrative and customer support
Salary is only one part of the package. In administrative and customer support, where flexibility and growth potential are top priorities, total compensation—including perks and benefits—often determines which employers stand out.
For employers, that means thinking beyond base pay. Many now emphasize total compensation packages that include bonuses, hybrid flexibility, professional development and wellness benefits. Organizations that go further—offering student loan repayment, paid volunteer days or lifestyle stipends—gain a clear advantage.
While many administrative roles still require on-site work, professionals continue to seek hybrid and flexible schedules. Closing that gap will be critical for attracting and retaining top talent in 2026.
For job seekers, evaluating total compensation is as important as reviewing salary. A role with slightly lower base pay but stronger benefits, flexibility and career growth often delivers greater long-term value.
Opportunities ahead in administrative and customer support
Opportunities in administrative and customer support careers remain strong for 2026. Salary growth is moderate, but demand for those combining service excellence and digital skills continues to rise.
For employers, success will come from investing in the tools and training that help teams master CRM systems, automation platforms and data organization. Streamlining hiring and onboarding processes, emphasizing hybrid flexibility and using structured interviews to assess communication and multitasking skills will also be key to attracting top performers.
For professionals, now is the time to strengthen communication and coordination skills, learn new software platforms and pursue certifications that enhance credibility.
Adaptability will define success in 2026. Professionals who stay open to learning new tools and improving customer interactions will continue to grow, while employers that promote flexibility and skill development will be ready for whatever the next transformation brings.
To explore national and local salary data for administrative and customer support roles, visit the 2026 Salary Guide from Robert Half.
