These are the starting salaries for business support positions

Are you at the start of your career? Then you may be very keen to know what salary you can expect in your first job. 

Audrey Hannecart, manager at recruitment specialist Robert Walters, explains what salary you can expect as a starter and professional with up to 3 years' experience in a number of business support roles. 

Administration  

If you start your career in an administrative role, such as Receptionist, Office Assistant or Administrative Assistant, you can expect a minimum gross monthly salary of EUR 2,400. Audrey explains: 'Some organisations even offer new starters a little more. At large international companies, the starting salary for administrative positions can be EUR 100 to 300 gross per month higher.'  

If you start in a position such as Management Assistant or Legal Assistant, the starting salary is usually between EUR 2,500 and EUR 2,600 gross per month." 

Sales & marketing  

Are you a born salesperson? Then you might aspire to a job within sales. As a starting Account Manager, you can count on a gross monthly salary of between EUR 2,800 and EUR 3,300 per month. "Professionals in a pure sales function often get a bonus on top of this, depending on the results achieved," Audrey adds.  

Do you prefer to take on support tasks within sales? Then you should opt for a role as Sales Assistant or Inside Sales Responsible. The starting salary for these professionals is between EUR 2,600 and 3,300 gross per month.  

Are you the creative jack-of-all-trades who can't wait to get started in a marketing position? An entry-level Marketing Assistant earns on average between 2,400 and 2,800 EUR gross per month. If you prefer Marketing & Communication or Digital Marketing, you can count on a starting salary between EUR 2,600 and 3,100 gross per month.  

Customer Service  

As a Customer Service Representative, you act as the organisation's first point of contact when customers contact customer service. Every question is different, so every day looks a little different. Something for you? If so, as a starter, you can expect a gross monthly salary of between EUR 2,500 and 3,100. 

Human resources  

Do you dream of helping the organisation grow and bringing the right colleagues on board? Then a job in recruitment is just the thing for you. As a starting Recruiter or Talent Acquisition Specialist, you will earn between EUR 2,500 and EUR 3,200 gross per month. Audrey: "Human resources obviously encompasses much more than recruitment. Just think of all the administration related to learning & development, fleet management, holiday arrangements, etc." As an HR Assistant, you will learn all the tricks of the trade and can count on a salary between EUR 2,500 and EUR 3,200 gross per month. Is payroll administration more your thing? As a Payroll Officer with 0 to 3 years' experience, you will earn on average between EUR 2,700 and 3,500 gross on a monthly basis.  

 Supply chain  

As a Logistics Assistant, you provide support in the logistics organisation, for example in a hospital. If you are just starting out in this position, you can count on a salary between EUR 2,400 and EUR 3,000 gross per month.   

As Junior Supply Chain Officer, you and your colleagues are responsible for monitoring the entire logistics process. You are jointly responsible for the planning and closely monitor deliveries. For this, you can count on a gross monthly salary between EUR 2,500 and 3,200.   

Are organising and communicating in your blood? Then a job as Import & Export Coordinator is just the thing for you. Organising transport, following up on logistical tasks and ensuring that everything runs in line with local legislation and regulations are the main tasks you will be involved in. As a starter, you can expect a gross monthly salary of between EUR 2,600 and 3,100.  

As Purchase Coordinator or Buyer, you will work in the organisation's purchasing department. You will help ensure that materials are purchased at the best price/quality ratio. You are in daily contact with suppliers and ensure that the administrative processing runs smoothly. With 0 to 3 years' experience in this position, you can expect an average gross monthly salary of between EUR 2,600 and EUR 3,100.  

Permanent versus temporary  

You may want to start working immediately with a permanent contract. And that is certainly possible. But if you are not yet sure what you want, it may be advisable to start with a temporary contract for a specific period. This will give you the opportunity to try out different roles and get to know the ins and outs of several organisations, so that you can discover what you enjoy doing most and what you want to pursue further. 

Don't just fixate on salary  

"When a potential employer makes you a salary offer, they always talk about gross monthly amounts. Do you have a number of job applications pending, and received multiple job offers? Then also look beyond just this gross monthly amount. Most organisations also offer numerous fringe benefits such as meal vouchers, a kilometre allowance or assistance with transport costs if you use public transport, a mobile phone, an insurance package, a laptop, and so on.   

Consider the practical issues when comparing several job offers: is the employer easily accessible or do you lose a lot of time on the way to the office? Is hybrid working applied within the organisation? Are the working hours fixed or rather flexible?   

Also ask during the job interview what your future will look like within the organisation. Are training opportunities offered, for example? Is a growth path outlined for starting professionals?   

Only when you have an answer to these questions can you thoroughly compare several job offers and determine for yourself what you find most important, so that you make the right choice," Audrey concludes. 

More information

Take a look at our latest vacancies in business support. Want to know your worth? Compare your salary with the online Robert Walters Salary Survey tool.