Education Administrators, Postsecondary

SOC code 11-9033 · O*NET-SOC 11-9033.00 · Extensive preparation needed

Education Administrators, Postsecondary pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$104,590

a year

Hourly

$50.29

per hour

10th$64,560Median$104,59090th$215,620

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$126,540

$60.84 per hour

Middle 50%

$80,870 – $144,370

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$64,560 – $215,620

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

180,470

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $64,560; $31.04/hr
25th percentile: $80,870; $38.88/hr
Median percentile: $104,590; $50.29/hr
75th percentile: $144,370; $69.41/hr
90th percentile: $215,620; $103.66/hr

Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34

+2%

Growing about as fast as average

226,600

jobs in 2024

230,500

projected for 2034

About 3,900 more jobs

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.

What do education administrators, postsecondary do?

Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Direct activities of administrative departments, such as admissions, registration, and career services.
Appoint individuals to faculty positions, and evaluate their performance.
Develop curricula, and recommend curricula revisions and additions.
Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.
Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff engaged in administering academic institutions, departments, or alumni organizations.
Consult with government regulatory and licensing agencies to ensure the institution's conformance with applicable standards.
Advise students on issues such as course selection, progress toward graduation, and career decisions.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold master's degree — 48% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Master's Degree48%
Doctoral Degree37%
Bachelor's Degree8%
Post-Doctoral Training7%

Common questions

How much does an education administrators, postsecondary earn?

The national median is $104,590 a year. The full range runs from $64,560 at the 10th percentile to $215,620 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become an education administrators, postsecondary without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Is education administrators, postsecondary in demand?

Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 2% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension4.1/5
Critical Thinking4.1/5
Active Listening4.0/5
Writing4.0/5
Speaking4.0/5
Monitoring4.0/5
Active Learning3.9/5

Knowledge areas

English Language4.3/5
Administration and Management4.2/5
Education and Training4.1/5
Customer and Personal Service4.1/5
Personnel and Human Resources3.4/5
Administrative3.3/5
Computers and Electronics3.2/5
Communications and Media3.2/5

Transferable strengths: Instructing, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving.