Education Administrators, Postsecondary Salary
Education Administrators, Postsecondary earn a median $104,590 a year nationally. Management Occupations
U.S. median
$104,590
$50.28 per hour
Range
$64,560 – $215,620
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
180,470
across the U.S.
▲0.6%
Pay trend: The median for education administrators, postsecondary in the U.S. rose from $103,960 (May 2024) to $104,590 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 1.8%.
What 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.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.8% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 14,500
- Self-employed
- 3%
Employment of education administrators, postsecondary is projected to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 14,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Education Administrators, Postsecondary take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$82,409
per year · effective tax rate 21.2%
$6,867Monthly
$3,434Twice a month
$3,170Every 2 weeks
$39.62Hourly
- Federal income tax$14,180
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,485
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,517
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$82,409
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,560 | $31.04 | $54,054 |
| 25th percentile | $80,870 | $38.88 | $65,722 |
| Median (50th) | $104,590 | $50.28 | $82,409 |
| 75th percentile | $144,370 | $69.41 | $109,943 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $215,620 | $103.66 | $160,431 |
Best cities for education administrators, postsecondary (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $125,190 | $96,833 | $98,743 | 3,270 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $137,800 | $98,362 | $87,384 | 7,550 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $131,130 | $94,557 | $87,338 | 6,770 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $117,980 | $88,207 | $86,010 | 4,330 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $105,700 | $83,190 | $84,346 | 2,900 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $125,460 | $89,322 | $82,034 | 4,200 |
| 7 | Dallas, TX | $102,990 | $81,283 | $78,847 | 3,390 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $125,230 | $87,816 | $77,326 | 6,050 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $101,070 | $75,075 | $72,469 | 6,270 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $137,800
- Boston, MA — $131,130
- Washington, DC — $125,460
- Los Angeles, CA — $125,230
- Austin, TX — $125,190
- Philadelphia, PA — $117,980
- Houston, TX — $105,700
- Dallas, TX — $102,990
- Chicago, IL — $101,070
Education Administrators, Postsecondary salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $139,640 | +2.5% | $99,511 | $87,240 – $239,200+ | 7,280 |
| New Jersey | $131,570 | +0.8% | $95,003 | $84,060 – $224,550 | 4,100 |
| Massachusetts | $128,970 | +4.9% | $93,188 | $79,040 – $228,410 | 9,120 |
| Delaware | $128,570 | −5.2% | $91,999 | $82,640 – $239,200+ | 360 |
| Wyoming | $127,960 | +13.1% | $98,727 | $85,770 – $174,170 | 120 |
| Washington | $127,630 | +15.7% | $98,501 | $85,770 – $220,610 | 2,140 |
| South Dakota | $126,160 | +17.8% | $97,496 | $86,610 – $228,660 | 240 |
| California | $125,460 | +1.3% | $87,949 | $76,700 – $216,480 | 14,870 |
| Wisconsin | $124,960 | −9.1% | $91,434 | $78,890 – $198,850 | 1,190 |
| Connecticut | $123,190 | +12.3% | $90,225 | $75,050 – $220,570 | 2,100 |
| Virginia | $120,840 | +11.1% | $87,707 | $68,000 – $234,300 | — |
| Oregon | $120,110 | +9.7% | $83,647 | $75,020 – $229,730 | 2,790 |
| Maryland | $118,550 | −5.7% | $86,932 | $67,750 – $228,880 | — |
| Colorado | $118,440 | +13.2% | $87,650 | $80,740 – $239,200+ | 1,770 |
| Kentucky | $114,310 | +8.2% | $85,364 | $77,630 – $230,220 | 890 |
| Georgia | $110,200 | +4.0% | $81,259 | $72,910 – $230,780 | 2,890 |
| Kansas | $110,020 | +3.9% | $80,890 | $62,750 – $227,000 | 1,760 |
| New Mexico | $109,480 | +3.9% | $81,816 | $76,820 – $178,830 | 1,160 |
| Michigan | $108,500 | +3.4% | $80,799 | $62,420 – $236,640 | 5,110 |
| District of Columbia | $107,390 | +0.8% | $78,219 | $77,260 – $239,200+ | 1,880 |
| Rhode Island | $106,520 | −0.5% | $80,309 | $75,370 – $216,270 | 1,140 |
| Oklahoma | $105,830 | −0.8% | $79,065 | $59,390 – $231,490 | 1,700 |
| Minnesota | $104,740 | +3.0% | $76,916 | $78,140 – $176,270 | 2,110 |
| Missouri | $104,560 | −0.5% | $78,411 | $63,110 – $213,740 | 2,830 |
| Vermont | $104,450 | +5.8% | $77,877 | $68,530 – $226,460 | 550 |
| Texas | $104,390 | +2.2% | $82,268 | $66,860 – $215,450 | 16,660 |
| New Hampshire | $104,190 | −3.2% | $82,128 | $75,830 – $213,310 | 920 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,740 | +3.4% | $78,626 | $71,150 – $209,530 | 8,000 |
| Arizona | $103,280 | +1.2% | $79,114 | $65,300 – $213,610 | 5,140 |
| Alaska | $103,080 | −30.0% | $81,347 | $74,820 – $155,670 | 80 |
| Montana | $102,980 | +0.8% | $76,819 | $66,940 – $174,190 | 300 |
| North Dakota | $101,600 | +1.9% | $79,584 | $64,420 – $233,160 | 600 |
| Idaho | $101,200 | +3.0% | $75,769 | $62,260 – $169,370 | 870 |
| North Carolina | $101,060 | +1.2% | $76,402 | $64,490 – $185,140 | 7,390 |
| Tennessee | $100,850 | −3.2% | $79,778 | $65,000 – $224,710 | 2,680 |
| Utah | $100,420 | +0.3% | $75,923 | $50,670 – $218,010 | 2,320 |
| Alabama | $100,030 | +0.7% | $74,465 | $62,570 – $211,370 | 3,760 |
| Illinois | $99,770 | +4.4% | $74,224 | $62,270 – $172,540 | 9,530 |
| Louisiana | $98,840 | −2.8% | $75,785 | $61,880 – $214,270 | 3,670 |
| Indiana | $98,000 | −0.7% | $74,912 | $61,030 – $213,580 | 3,370 |
| Nebraska | $96,030 | +11.1% | $72,897 | $61,520 – $215,130 | 1,560 |
| South Carolina | $95,570 | +14.2% | $71,486 | $60,190 – $177,740 | 2,990 |
| Iowa | $89,320 | +3.3% | $68,924 | $59,960 – $174,270 | 2,510 |
| Nevada | $88,810 | −0.1% | $71,308 | $60,950 – $176,730 | 1,320 |
| Maine | $88,180 | +3.9% | $66,055 | $63,360 – $178,200 | 860 |
| Ohio | $87,370 | +5.7% | $68,674 | $59,990 – $177,930 | 6,880 |
| Mississippi | $86,590 | +1.1% | $67,014 | $50,590 – $219,180 | 2,230 |
| West Virginia | $84,660 | −0.7% | $65,243 | $53,160 – $198,330 | 1,520 |
| Florida | $83,840 | −4.1% | $67,811 | $63,240 – $153,610 | — |
| Hawaii | $81,020 | −14.9% | $61,200 | $37,340 – $133,560 | 570 |
| Arkansas | $78,240 | −1.0% | $61,033 | $51,910 – $166,240 | 1,970 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $105,870 | Master's degree | -0.3% |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $95,200 | Bachelor's degree | +1.6% |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $59,300 | Bachelor's degree | -3.1% |
| Postmaster and Mail Superintendent | $96,660 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.3% |
| Construction Manager | $114,990 | Bachelor's degree | +9.1% |
| Emergency Management Director | $93,330 | Bachelor's degree | +3.9% |
| Gambling Manager | $93,220 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $89,900 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.4% |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $123,860 | Bachelor's degree | +24.2% |
| Social and Community Service Manager | $80,390 | Bachelor's degree | +7.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a education administrators, postsecondary make?
The national median salary for education administrators, postsecondary is $104,590 a year ($50.28 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $64,560 and the top 10% earn over $215,620. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays education administrators, postsecondary the most?
New York has the highest median pay at $139,640. After taxes and local prices, Austin, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many education administrators, postsecondary are there in the U.S.?
About 180,470 people work as education administrators, postsecondary nationwide.