What does a sales administrator do?

As a sales administrator you could: answer customer enquiries over the phone, by email and face to face take and process customer orders and payments do credit checks, raise invoices and deal with paperwork update customer records check stock and re-order supplies organise deliveries provide after-sales support type…

How do you become a sales administrator?

You can get into this job through a college course, an apprenticeship and working your way up.

How much does a sales administrator earn?

Starter salaries are around £22,000 a year, rising to about £28,000 with experience.

How many hours does a sales administrator work?

Typically 38 to 40 hours a week.

Sales administrator

Sales administrators process sales orders and payments, arrange deliveries and offer after-sales support to customers.

Also known as: Sales administration assistant, sales office clerk

Starter salary£22,000 a year
Experienced£28,000 a year
Typical hours38 to 40 a week

What you'll do

As a sales administrator you could:

answer customer enquiries over the phone, by email and face to face
take and process customer orders and payments
do credit checks, raise invoices and deal with paperwork
update customer records
check stock and re-order supplies
organise deliveries
provide after-sales support
type up documents like letters and reports

Working environment

You could work in an office or in a contact centre.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

customer service skills
excellent verbal communication skills
business management skills
the ability to use your initiative
the ability to work well with others
persuading and negotiating skills
persistence and determination
maths knowledge
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

How to become a sales administrator

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
applying directly

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.

Relevant courses include:

business and administration
sales and account management
T Level in Management and Administration

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job by applying to do an Administration Assistant Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship or Business Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You may be able to work your way into this role by starting as a receptionist or administration assistant and learning on the job.

Direct application

You could apply directly if you've got the relevant skills and knowledge needed to do this job.

Some employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths, or equivalent qualifications.

Customer service and IT skills will also be useful.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a sales admin team leader, personal assistant or office manager. You could also use your administration skills to move into related careers, such as payroll, human resources or customer service.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Administration Management for professional development opportunities.

Guides for this industry

Sales: pay, interviews and getting started →

Related roles

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