Education administrators, postsecondary
November 2004 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Education Administrators, Postsecondary: Plan, direct, or coordinate research, instructional, student administration and services, and other educational activities at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.
Education administrators held about 427,000 jobs in 2002. About 2 in 10 worked for private education institutions, and 6 in 10 worked for State and local governments, mainly in schools, colleges and universities, and departments of education. Less than 5 percent were self-employed. The rest worked in child daycare centers, religious organizations, job training centers, and businesses and other organizations that provided training for their employees.
In 2002, elementary and secondary school administrators had median annual earnings of $71,490; postsecondary school administrators had median annual earnings of $64,640, while preschool and childcare center administrators earned a median of $33,340 per year. Salaries of education administrators depend on several factors, including the location and enrollment level in the school or school district. According to a survey of public schools, conducted by the Educational Research Service, average salaries for principals and assistant principals in the 2002-03 school year were as follows:
| Directors, managers, coordinators, and supervisors, finance and business | $81,451 |
| Principals: | |
| Elementary school | $75,291 |
| Jr. high/middle school | 80,708 |
| Senior high school | 86,452 |
| Assistant principals: | |
| Elementary school | $62,230 |
| Jr. high/middle school | 67,288 |
| Senior high school | 70,874 |
According to the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, median annual salaries for selected administrators in higher education in 2001-02 were as follows:
| Academic deans: | |
| Business | $107,414 |
| Graduate programs | 100,391 |
| Education | 100,227 |
| Arts and sciences | 98,780 |
| Health-related professions | 89,234 |
| Nursing | 88,386 |
| Continuing education | 84,457 |
| Occupational or vocational education | 73,595 |
| Other administrators: | |
| Dean of students | $70,012 |
| Director, admissions and registrar | 61,519 |
| Director, student financial aid | 57,036 |
| Director, annual giving | 49,121 |
| Director, student activities | 41,050 |
Benefits for education administrators are generally very good. Many get 4 or 5 weeks vacation every year and have generous health and pension packages. Many colleges and universities offer free tuition to employees and their families.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Education administrators)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
November 2004 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Education administrators, postsecondary | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 100 mean earnings: $85,040 (EC) (def) (IG) | $35,830 | $42,700 | $65,020 | $109,940 | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 100 mean earnings: $85,040 | $35,830 | $42,700 | $65,020 | $109,940 | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: n.a. mean earnings: $79,620 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,230 | $52,330 | $68,540 | $97,430 | $131,950 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: n.a. mean earnings: $79,620 | $42,230 | $52,330 | $68,540 | $97,430 | $131,950 |
| Educational Services employment: 101,090 mean earnings: $77,560 (EC) (def) (IG) | $38,970 | $50,770 | $69,400 | $94,730 | $127,980 |
| Educational Services employment: 101,090 mean earnings: $77,560 | $38,970 | $50,770 | $69,400 | $94,730 | $127,980 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 620 mean earnings: $83,700 (EC) (def) (IG) | $27,840 | $45,160 | $69,970 | $104,260 | >$145K |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 90 mean earnings: $113,420 | $64,160 | $88,690 | $102,030 | $117,140 | >$145K |
| Hospitals employment: 450 mean earnings: $84,100 | $26,300 | $42,960 | $69,470 | $104,420 | >$145K |
| Social Assistance employment: 60 mean earnings: $50,860 | $35,240 | $40,620 | $45,310 | $56,860 | $72,720 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 60 mean earnings: $62,720 (EC) (def) (IG) | $28,150 | $41,970 | $53,570 | $74,300 | $108,250 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions employment: 40 mean earnings: $66,850 | $34,080 | $42,060 | $52,860 | $85,700 | $117,240 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 250 mean earnings: $77,720 (EC) (def) (IG) | $35,590 | $43,640 | $57,880 | $88,810 | >$145K |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 250 mean earnings: $77,860 | $35,540 | $43,580 | $58,070 | $88,950 | >$145K |
| Public Administration employment: 540 mean earnings: $75,140 (def) (IG) | $40,090 | $53,240 | $74,410 | $89,150 | $120,020 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 540 mean earnings: $75,140 | $40,090 | $53,240 | $74,410 | $89,150 | $120,020 |
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates