Admin and Reception Jobs in London on a Working Holiday
Key takeaways
- Entry-level admin roles in London start at around £13 an hour, and experienced temps earn about £14–£18.
- Most go through recruitment agencies, from a single day's cover to contracts of several months.
- Agencies usually want some office, reception or customer-facing experience, a UK-style CV and a polished, friendly manner.
- Many people work flexible events shifts while they interview for admin roles.
Prefer a desk to a festival bar? Admin jobs in London are one of the most popular choices for working holiday makers who want set hours, weekends off and a chance to use their office experience. Here's what the work involves, what it pays and how to land a role.
What admin jobs can you do?
Most working holiday makers find admin work in roles like these:
- Receptionist or front of house: meeting and greeting visitors, answering calls and emails, and keeping the reception area running smoothly
- Office or admin assistant: preparing documents, managing calendars, booking meeting rooms, ordering supplies and handling post and couriers
- Team or office coordinator: organising meetings, catering and events for a busy team
- Data entry: keeping records and systems up to date
- Hotel reception: front desk work in hotels, where luxury hotel experience is valued for corporate reception roles too
What admin jobs pay
£13/hrEntry-level admin, London
£14–£18/hrExperienced temps, early 2026
£31,400Median London admin salary
Temp reception and admin roles in London were advertised at about £14–£18 an hour in early 2026, mostly for people with some office or reception experience. Here are some real examples:
| Role | Length | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Receptionist, property firm | 2 weeks, could extend to 2 months | £14–£15 an hour |
| Ad-hoc receptionist, creative firm in the City | As needed | £15 an hour plus holiday pay |
| Office assistant, holiday cover near Blackfriars | Short term | £16–£17 an hour |
| Receptionist, luxury retail, City | Temporary, 40 hours a week | £16–£18 an hour |
| Receptionist, private equity firm, West End | 1 month | £17 an hour |
| Receptionist, tech firm, King's Cross | 6–9 months | £17 an hour |
Source: London temp job ads posted February–April 2026 by Tiger Recruitment and Hays
At £16 an hour on a full-time week of 37.5 hours, you'd take home about £500 a week after tax. See every rate in our UK take-home pay guide.
Permanent admin salaries
For permanent roles, the median admin salary in London is £31,400 a year, against £27,500 across the UK. That's about £16.10 an hour on a 37.5-hour week, in line with temp rates.
| Role | Typical UK salary, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Receptionist | £25,400–£27,500 |
| Administrative assistant | £25,000–£30,000 |
| Operations administrator | £25,700–£35,600 |
| Personal assistant (PA) | £26,800–£40,000 |
| Office manager | £29,500–£45,000 |
Source: Pin Point Recruitment, UK Administrative Salary Guide 2026, using Totaljobs and Indeed data
These are UK-wide ranges. London pays more than the UK average, so expect London roles towards the top of each range.
Entry-level admin pay
New to office work? Entry-level administrator roles in London average about £25,420 a year, or about £13 an hour on a 37.5-hour week, with most between about £25,400 and £29,600. With experience, London administrators average £30,010 and senior administrators £37,052. Corporate, finance and legal firms tend to pay at the top of these ranges.
Source: Indeed salary data for London, from a small number of job ads, updated August 2026
Temp or permanent?
For most working holiday makers, temp work is the better fit:
- It's flexible. Roles range from a single day's cover to contracts of several months, so you can work around travel.
- It's fast. Many temp roles start within days, often to cover holidays or sick leave.
- It can pay weekly. Many agencies pay temps weekly through online timesheets.
- It can lead to more. Good temps often get extended or offered longer contracts.
Permanent admin roles are harder to land on a Youth Mobility visa, as employers often want someone who'll stay for years. If you do want a permanent role, be upfront about how long your visa lets you stay.
What agencies look for
London admin and reception ads in 2026 asked for much the same things:
- Previous experience in admin, reception or a customer-facing role. Hotel front desk, retail and hospitality front of house all count.
- A friendly, confident manner, as you're often the first person clients and visitors meet.
- Strong organisation and attention to detail.
- Tech confidence with email, calendars, documents and booking systems.
- Polished presentation, especially for corporate and luxury reception roles.
- Availability, as many temp roles need someone who can start straight away.
How to land an admin job in London
- Write a UK-style CV. Keep it to one or two pages, leave out your photo and date of birth, and put your admin and customer service experience first. See how to find a job in the UK before you arrive.
- Get your referees ready. In a recent batch of 15 CVs from our UK applicants, 8 had no referees or just said "available on request". Have two former managers ready to vouch for you.
- Register with temp agencies. London has many agencies that specialise in office and reception temps. Have your passport and share code ready for the right-to-work check.
- Be ready to start fast. Temp roles often start within days, so keep your phone on and reply quickly.
- Dress the part. Corporate reception roles expect smart office wear for interviews and your first day.
- Earn while you wait. Flexible events shifts let you pick up work around interviews, so you're not living off savings while you job hunt.
FAQ
How much do admin jobs pay in London?
Entry-level admin roles in London average about £25,420 a year, around £13 an hour. Experienced temps were advertised at about £14–£18 an hour in early 2026, and the median London admin salary is £31,400. At £16 an hour on a full-time week, you'd take home about £500 a week after tax.
Do I need experience for admin jobs in London?
Most agencies ask for some office, reception or customer-facing experience. Hotel front desk, retail and hospitality front-of-house work all count, so highlight them on your CV.
Can I work in admin on a Youth Mobility visa?
Yes. The Youth Mobility visa lets you work for most UK employers, including in office and admin roles. You'll prove your right to work with a share code from your UK Visas and Immigration account.
Start earning while you job hunt
With Jumpstart London, you can start flexible events shifts in your first week, paying £13.50–£16 an hour plus holiday pay. Our team can also set up interviews for admin and reception roles in our network, subject to availability.
Start your Jumpstart London application →Planning your move? Read what you'll take home at every hourly rate and our new arrival budget planner.
