IDS HR Study 850, July 2007

Clerical and secretarial pay

• Reports on pay levels and increases for clerical and secretarial staff

• Examines the main types of pay progression for this group

• Sets out the clerical pay structures in 22 named organisations

Clerical and secretarial workers account for around 3.3 million employees in the UK – more than one in eight of all employees. This group covers a wide variety of roles – from typist to personal assistant – and the range of salaries paid is correspondingly broad. Among the 22 organisations featured in this Study, salaries range from around £12,000 to almost £35,000 for a senior PA.

We look at the level of pay increases for clerical and secretarial staff over the last 12 months and examine salary progression systems, ranging from those based entirely on performance to service-related models. Other elements of clerical staff pay - including bonuses, location allowances and overtime premia - are also reviewed.

This HR Study contains detailed entries for 22 named organisations across a range of sectors. Each entry provides:

• the level of the latest pay review

• the salary structure for clerical and secretarial staff, with job examples

• typical qualifications and experience required for particular clerical roles

• the basis for salary progression

• details of other elements of pay such as bonuses, location allowances and overtime premia

• the hours worked and holiday entitlement, including service-related holidays