Reed’s 2026 business support and administration salary guide is your go-to resource for understanding UK salary benchmarks. Use our guide to check average pay for business support and administration roles across all 12 UK regions, ensuring your organisation offers competitive packages that attract and retain the best talent.
Drawing on data from over 18 million jobs posted on Reed.co.uk since 2017, this guide provides detailed insights into salary trends and benefits for key support roles. Whether you’re benchmarking pay for your team or exploring what you should earn in your position, our guide delivers the clarity you need to make informed decisions.
One of the most significant trends is the evolution of the business support role itself. Gone are the days of siloed administrative functions. Today, employers are seeking multifaceted professionals who can bring a diverse range of skills to the table, effectively blending traditional responsibilities with more technical and analytical tasks.
Business Support Expert, Reed
Who is the 2026 business support and administration salary guide designed for?
Our salary guide is tailored for:
Employers looking to attract talent by benchmarking salaries against industry standards.
Growing businesses and startups setting competitive pay structures for support roles.
Organisations focused on retention, ensuring current salaries align with market expectations.
Graduates and early-career professionals seeking clarity on salary expectations in business support roles.
Administrators, office managers, and support staff wanting to confirm their earnings match regional averages.
Professionals planning a move, with insights into local job markets and pay trends.
Jobseekers preparing for interviews or negotiations, armed with accurate, up-to-date salary data.
Looking for salary benchmarking insights across business support roles in 2026?
Compare salaries and benefits across the UK with our 2026 business support and administration salary guide. This essential resource helps you keep remuneration packages competitive and aligned with today’s job market.
With salary pressures impacting both employers and employees, offering fair pay and attractive benefits remains a key differentiator in attracting and retaining talent. Transparency and consistency are vital for building trust and securing the best people for your organisation.
Whether you need to benchmark salaries for customer service roles, receptionists, or office managers, our guide provides the insights you need to make informed, data-driven decisions.
Jobseekers: Wondering what you should be earning in business support?
Curious about the average salary for roles like purchasing assistant, HR administrator, or marketing executive in your region? Our 2026 business support and administration salary guide gives you the insights you need to understand your market value.
Use the guide to benchmark your pay, plan your next career move, and negotiate with confidence - whether you’re stepping into your first role or aiming for the next big opportunity.
A significant trend is the near-complete move away from remote work. An estimated 80% of business support roles in the region are now fully office based. While this was initially met with resistance, jobseekers have largely adapted to this new reality. Alongside this, there is a growing preference among employers for temporary and contract-based hires. While permanent roles are still common, the flexibility of temporary staff is becoming more appealing as businesses hesitate to commit to long-term hires amidst economic uncertainty.
Regional Director (East Midlands), Reed
What roles are included in Reed’s 2026 business support and administration salary guide?
Our latest salary and benefits guide gives you clear insights into pay and perks for some of the most in-demand business support roles, including:
Administrator
Customer service advisor
Executive assistant
HR administrator
Legal secretary
Marketing executive
Purchasing assistant
Sales administrator
Whether you’re hiring your next purchasing assistant or curious about operations manager salaries, Reed’s guide provides the reassurance and data you need to make informed decisions.
Why download the UK’s most trusted business support and administration salary guide?
Our 2026 salary guide is your essential resource for navigating the dynamic business support and administration landscape. Here’s why it’s a must-have:
Accurate and reliable data: Built on insights from millions of job postings over nine years, it’s the most comprehensive and trusted source for salary benchmarking in business support roles.
Regional insights: Access detailed salary trends across 12 UK regions to make informed decisions - whether you’re hiring, relocating, or negotiating.
Futureproof your talent strategy: With salary projections for 2027, you can stay ahead of market changes and plan effectively.
Tailored for everyone: Whether you’re an employer, jobseeker, graduate, or startup, this guide is designed to meet your needs.
Visual clarity: Engaging charts and graphics make it easy to spot key salary shifts and benefits trends at a glance.
How can Reed’s business support and administration salary guide assist with benefits and rewards benchmarking?
At the end of 2025, we conducted our annual survey of 5,000 UK workers to understand how they feel about their salaries, benefits, role and responsibilities, as well as job satisfaction and market trends.
Some key findings include:
20% of professionals feel unhappy with their current salary.
The overwhelming reason for salary dissatisfaction is that pay hasn't kept pace with the cost of living.
26% of respondents have £100 or less leftover each month after essential bills, with seven per cent stating their entire salary goes to essentials.
To switch jobs, individuals expect a substantial average pay increase of £12,139.55.
On average, men earn £48,367.15, while women earn £33,852.12, a difference of over £14,500.
And women have significantly less disposable income, with an average of £626.61 left over monthly compared to £983.38 for men.
Younger workers (25-34) are most willing to sacrifice benefits for higher pay…
… while older workers (55+) are significantly less willing to do so, suggesting they value their existing benefits more.
See all the results from our survey and use this guide to make informed decisions on salaries and benefits in the UK business support and administration sector for 2026.
Download your copy now.
