Replacement parts for automobiles, electric appliances or computers likely wouldn't be received in a timely manner without warranty administrators, who oversee the warranty process from submission to the fulfillment of orders. Most warranty administrators work for manufacturers, dealerships or distributors, supervising clerks during the fulfillment and shipping process. Their salaries can vary, depending on experience, the employer for which they work and geographical location.

Primary Responsibilities

A warranty administrator reviews claims for parts and equipment and determines which ones are covered by warranties. They then enter the items into computers, submit the requests for fulfillment and maintain databases of all customers and the warranty parts needed. Warranty administrators may call customers to obtain additional information on warranty requests. Other key responsibilities include coordinating the ordering and shipping of all parts, collecting payments for partial warranties and training employees in the warranty department.

Work Environment

Most warranty administrators usually work during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., although those at dealerships and retail stores may work evenings and weekends. They spend much of their time on the phone or working from computers. Because of the volume of warrant applications and deadlines for shipping items, warranty administrators may work in stressful environments. They also may be prone to falls and musculoskeletal injuries, while helping clerks fill orders, as some replacement parts are heavy.

Education and Qualifications

Warranty administrators usually have at least high school diplomas or pass general educational development equivalency tests. Since they are supervisors who oversee the ordering and shipping process for replacement products, they usually need at least some industry experience, whether it's six months or one or two years or more. Required experience is contingent on the employer. Other important qualifications for this job are attention to detail and management, organization, communication, decision-making, computer and customer service skills.

Average Annual Salaries

The average salary of a warranty administrator was $46,000 as of 2014, according to Indeed. Their salaries were approximately the same as production, planning and expediting clerks, who earned $46,290 as of May 2013, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS classifies production, planning and expediting clerks as "material recording clerks," who track the shipments of products at dealerships and manufacturing plants. Warranty administrators earned the highest salaries of $58,000 in Washington, D.C, based on 2014 Indeed data. They made the second most in the state of New York at $56,000 per year. Those in Nebraska and Hawaii had the lowest salaries of $34,000 and $29,000, respectively.

Job Outlook

The BLS doesn't forecast job opportunities for warranty administrators. One way to estimate warranty administrator jobs for the automotive industry is through automotive service technicians and mechanics, who service most warranty repairs. Employment for automotive service technicians and mechanics are expected to increase 9 percent from 2012 to 2022, the BLS reported, which is average compared to the 11 percent national rate for all occupations. Material recording clerks, who track and ship replacement parts for manufactured items, will experience a slower 1 percent increase in jobs.