Highest Paying Office Jobs in the USA

© 2011 by Aurelio Locsin.

Office and administrative support occupations, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor are non-technical positions that keep the engines of a company humming. They organize, store and communicate information, and typically work at a desk in comfortable, air-conditioned surroundings. The following lists the top five highest paying office jobs in the USA, from lowest to highest salaries. It excludes all manager and supervisory jobs, as well as civil service jobs with the Postal Service jobs.

Eligibility interviewers for government programs question applicants for government services to determine whether they qualify for such programs as welfare, public housing or Social Security benefits. No educational background is required, though employers look for those with good interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate clearly and good organization. Most such employees are trained on the job.

Workers in this position make a mean $19.67 per hour or $40,900 per year. The highest paying employers are technical and trade schools, where wages run $22.31 per hour or $46,400 per year. Jobs are expected to increase by nine percent until 2018, which is about average. This is due to the numbers of baby boomers who will be retiring and applying for Social Security and other entitlement programs.

Brokerage clerks help with the trading of investments like stocks, bonds and mutual funds. They may answer customer inquiries on the phone, verify online stock transactions, distribute dividends and keep recorders of orders. A high school diploma is the minimum requirement, though many employers prefer those with two- or four-year college degrees.

These clerks average $20.50 per hour or $42,640 per year. The highest salaries are with non-depository credit intermediation institutions, which are public or private enterprises that lend funds, but do not accept deposits. Pay here runs at $25.46 per hour or $52,950 per year. Brokerage houses pay a mean $20.31 per hour or $42,240 per year, which is just

Legal secretaries manage office paperwork and administrative functions such as writing correspondence, filing client records and taking notes at client meetings. However, they must be well-versed in legal procedures and terminology. They can undergo this training through one- to two-year programs at professional schools and junior colleges.

They make a mean $20.80 per hour or $43,270 per year. Their top-paying employer is natural gas distribution, where compensation runs $31.82 per hour or $66,180 per year. Jobs in this field are predicted to grow by 18 percent, with many assuming higher-level tasks. Traditional secretarial tasks such as typing, photocopying and filing are being relegated to clerks.

Production, planning and expediting clerks manage record-keeping and reporting for production processes, and ensure that supplies and materials are shipped on specified dates. They require a minimum high-school diploma because many functions are learned on the job. Computer skills are an advantage.

These clerks make a mean $21.19 per hour or $44,070 per year. Their highest paying employers are non-depository credit intermediation institutions, where pay runs $33.35 per hour or $69,370 per year. Positions will increase by only two percent, which is worse than average. This is due to the general decline in manufacturing positions.

Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants provide higher-level functions for management staff. They may organize and run meetings, conduct research, prepare briefings and reports, and welcome important visitors. They often supervise lower level clerical staff. A college degree is generally required, though those with lower levels of education may find positions if they have extensive experience.

Pay runs a mean $22.05 per hour or $45,860 per year, which makes the position the highest paying office job in the USA. They make the most money at the postal service, which pays $29.49 per hour or $61,340 per year, and at computer and peripheral equipment manufacturers, which pays $28.57 per hour or $59,420 per year. Employment is expected to increase by 13 percent due to the growing complexity of business processes.