Education Administrator Salary & Career Outlook
Updated May 18, 2023 | Mary Blowers
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Education administrators work behind the scenes in leadership roles to improve educational systems. Many experienced teachers possess the skills and experience necessary to pursue these positions. Education administrators deliver a positive impact on curriculum design, student behavior plans, and staff evaluations.
Aspiring professionals must earn master's degrees and obtain administrator certifications to become education administrators. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median pay of $98,490 for elementary, middle, and high school principals.
This page explores the salary prospects for education administrators across the country. Keep reading for details about the states, metropolitan areas, and industries that offer the highest salaries and employment figures.
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What Does an Education Administrator Do?
Education administrators lead employees in school buildings and in district offices. In schools, administrators hold positions like principal, assistant principal, dean of students, and athletic director. At the district level, administrators work as superintendents; assistant superintendents; and directors of elementary, secondary, and special education.
Individuals can become school administrators by completing a graduate-level education administration program, participating in an internship, and applying for licensure. Administrators can perform many tasks related to financial management, student outcomes, and human resources.
Education administrators can positively impact education at every level. Follow the links below to learn more about educational administrator skills, roles, and responsibilities.
How Much Can You Earn as an Education Administrator?
Educational professionals can increase their salaries and leadership opportunities by becoming administrators. Education administrators earn an average annual salary of $69,250 as of August 2021. However, this general figure encompasses all administrative roles and skill levels.
Education administrator salary figures vary by experience, education, and region. Continue reading for salary data and other considerations for aspiring administrators.
Education Administrator Salary by Experience
Industry experience plays a significant role in education administrator salary expectations. Just as teachers earn higher wages through classroom experience, administrators can also increase salaries by gaining management experience.
The following information explores education administrator salary figures by experience. The salary figures below are based on limited responses and vary by region.
Annual Salaries by Experience for Education Administrators, 2021
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (<1 year) | $49,950 |
| Early Career (1-4 years) | $60,450 |
| Midcareer (5-9 years) | $65,740 |
| Late Career (10-19 years) | $78,750 |
| Experienced (20+ years) | $92,260 |
Education Administrator Salary by Education
To obtain licensure, an administrator candidate must complete a graduate program with specialized coursework in school administration. Professionals can choose from several master's or doctoral degree options. Some of the most popular administration degree specializations include educational leadership, school administration, and principalship.
The following information includes wage estimates for some of the most popular education administration degrees. These salary figures represent the income of educational professionals who hold these degrees, not solely education administrators.
Average Salaries by Education, 2021
| Education Level | Average Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Master of Education (M.Ed.), Educational Leadership Degree | $64,000 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Educational Leadership Degree | $77,000 |
| Master of Education (M.Ed.), School Administration Degree | $84,000 |
Discover Which Education Path Is Right for You
Education Administrator Salary by Location
Education administrator salaries depend on school district location. Urban areas with larger student bodies employ more administrators for behavior management and curriculum guidance. These districts also offer competitive wages to attract the most qualified candidates.
The following metropolitan areas offer especially lucrative salaries for their high-demand education administration jobs. However, these high salaries may correspond to cities with higher costs of living.
Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Education Administrators, 2018
| Metropolitan Area | Number of Education Administrators Employed | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CA | 410 | $144,140 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 1,020 | $139,720 |
| Trenton, NJ | 480 | $136,710 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 21,790 | $135,180 |
| Danbury, CT | 170 | $132,340 |
New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut offer the highest education administration salaries in the country. However, it is important to consider these states' cost of living figures. For example, Washington offers competitive pay with lower living expenses compared to other states in the table below.
Top-Paying States for Education Administrators, 2018
| State | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 20,670 | $127,970 |
| New Jersey | 9,050 | $127,570 |
| Connecticut | 3,940 | $127,390 |
| California | 22,950 | $124,500 |
| Washington | 5,330 | $117,190 |
Career Outlook for Education Administration Professionals
The BLS projects 4% employment growth in elementary, middle, and high school principal positions from 2019-2029 — as fast as the average growth for all occupations. In the same time frame, BLS projects a 6% employment growth for instructional coordinators.
Education administration career outlook figures vary by location. Regional factors like population density and immigration rates affect school districts and their staffing needs. Keep reading to find the top employing states and the regions with the greatest projected growth rates for education administrators.
Best Locations for Education Administration Jobs
Education administrators work in schools, district offices, and learning centers across the country. Yet, some regions experience more growth and greater demand for educational professionals. States with large populations and many school districts employ more administrators and commonly offer more competitive salaries.
School districts that serve low-income communities may also need more education administrators to coordinate supplemental funding. These administrators work on budget requests and grants.
Top States
The states with the best education administration career outlook projections offer abundant employment opportunities and high salaries. Texas needs administrators to work in rural areas, suburbs, and cities, while California and New York need administrators to serve large student bodies in densely populated urban centers.
Top-Employing States for Education Administrators, 2018
| Top-Employing States | Number of Education Administrators Employed | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 28,310 | $85,680 |
| California | 22,950 | $124,500 |
| New York | 20,670 | $127,970 |
| Illinois | 12,610 | $103,880 |
| Ohio | 9,820 | $86,500 |
States With the Greatest Projected Increase in Employment for Education Administrators, 2018-28
| State | Percent Projected Change, 2018-28 | Average Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Greatest Projected Percentage Increase | ||
| New Hampshire | 28.6% | 10 |
| New York | 25.1% | 270 |
| Utah | 22.9% | 50 |
| Florida | 20.6% | 160 |
| Oregon | 20% | 40 |
| Most Projected Average Annual Openings | ||
| New York | 25.1% | 270 |
| Texas | 18.9% | 230 |
| Maryland | 12.5% | 220 |
| Illinois | 8.6% | 170 |
| Florida | 20.6% | 160 |
Top Cities
Major metropolitan areas attract top education administrators by offering lucrative salaries and diverse job opportunities. Districts with large student bodies need to fill specific positions, so administrators can often choose niche roles catered to their specialties and interests.
However, with major cities' expensive living costs, high salaries may not immediately improve financial situations. Administrator candidates should carefully consider their goals and expectations for their future employment when exploring different locations.
The following figures include employment data and the average wages for education administration careers in metropolitan areas.
Top-Employing Metropolitan Areas for Education Administrators, 2018
| Metropolitan Area | Number of Education Administrators Employed | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 21,790 | $135,180 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 9,320 | $108,120 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 7,520 | $88,750 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 7,440 | $127,560 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 6,100 | $88,930 |
Best Industries for Education Administrators
Education professionals who hold graduate-level degrees and administrator licenses can also pursue work outside of school districts. These individuals apply their skills in local government, nonprofit, along with business sector administration and human resources jobs.
The following industries offer the most competitive wages and the highest employment rates for education administrators.
Top-Paying Industries for Education Administrators, 2018
| Top-Paying Industries | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (BLS Designation) | 1,450 | $109,570 |
| Grantmaking and Giving Services | 8 | $107,960 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 70 | $100,760 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 257,440 | $98,880 |
| State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (BLS Designation) | 800 | $93,960 |
Employment by Industry for Education Administrators, 2018
| Industries With Highest Employment | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 257,440 | $98,880 |
| Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (BLS Designation) | 1,450 | $109,570 |
| State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (BLS Designation) | 800 | $93,960 |
| Educational Support Services | 770 | $93,790 |
| Religious Organizations | 420 | $82,600 |
Upward Mobility for Education Administrators
Educational administrators can transfer their skills to many other fields. Some possible roles include:
- Principal: School principals lead teachers, staff, and other education administrators in all aspects of education. Their duties include teacher evaluation, curriculum implementation, and budget development. Principals earn an average annual salary of $87,220 as of August 2021.
- Superintendent: Superintendents are the school districts' head administrators. Their duties include collaborating with school boards, hiring principals, and implementing educational policies. Superintendents earn an average annual salary of $120,090 as of August 2021.
- Director of Finance and Administration: Finance directors oversee the daily financial and administrative activities of school districts and companies. Their duties include approving budgets, maintaining accounting systems, and coordinating audits. These directors earn an average annual salary of $89,730 as of August 2021.
Learn More About Education Administrators
What Is an Education Administrator?
This page details the roles and responsibilities of education administrators in schools and district offices.
How to Become an Education Administrator
Follow this link to learn about the education, internship, and licensure requirements for becoming an education administrator.
Day in the Life of an Education Administrator
Learn more about an education administrator's daily tasks and leadership duties in academic settings.
Online Master's Degrees in Education Administration
Follow this link to learn about the best and most affordable online education administration degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Education administration encompasses a school or district's managerial and leadership functions. Education administrators act in several positions, including instructional coordinators, athletic directors, and principals.
PayScale reports an average annual salary of $69,250 for education administrators at elementary and secondary institutions as of August 2021.
School principal, director of finance, and district superintendent rank among the highest-paying jobs in education administration.
Education administrators need skills in staff leadership, strategic planning, and budget management.
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