Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Master's degree
Less than 5 years
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Education administrators, postsecondary (occupation code 11-9033) play a key leadership role in higher education settings. This career combines organizational oversight with significant responsibility for people and resources. Nationally, about 227,000 people work in these positions, indicating a sizable professional community and a well-established field. The national median annual salary of $103,960 reflects the advanced expertise and responsibility expected in these roles. Projected employment growth of 1.7% and 15,000 annual openings suggest a steady flow of opportunities for both experienced professionals and new entrants. The work relies on a mix of problem solving, leadership, communication, and analytical skills, along with adaptability and interpersonal strengths. For individuals interested in strategic decision making and organizational leadership in educational environments—backed by graduate-level training—this career offers a structured path with clear expectations, competitive pay, and consistent demand across multiple states and metro areas.
Education administrators, postsecondary earn a national median annual salary of $103,960, placing this career solidly in a higher earning range compared with many occupations that do not require graduate study. Salaries vary meaningfully by location. Among top states, New York shows a median of $139,640, Massachusetts $128,970, Washington $127,630, California $125,460, and Colorado $118,440. At the metro level, earnings can be even higher: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a median of $154,140, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $137,800, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $136,030, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $131,130. These figures indicate that professionals willing to work in specific metro areas or higher-paying states may see notably higher compensation. Overall, the salary structure aligns with the typical requirement of a master’s degree and advanced leadership responsibilities.
Employment for education administrators, postsecondary currently stands at 227,000 nationally, with projected growth of 1.7%. This growth rate, while modest, points to a profession that is expected to continue adding positions over time rather than contracting. The field is projected to generate about 15,000 annual openings, which include both newly created roles and positions opened by turnover or retirement. For job seekers, this combination of an established employment base and ongoing openings suggests regular opportunities to enter or advance within the field. Because the same 1.7% growth rate appears in several leading states and metro areas, the outlook is consistently steady across many key locations. Individuals planning a long-term career in this occupation can expect a labor market that is neither rapidly expanding nor declining, but that continues to offer a predictable flow of positions each year.
Location makes a clear difference for education administrators, postsecondary. Among states with strong CareerGPS opportunity scores, California, Massachusetts, and New York stand out with both relatively high median salaries and significant employment. California reports a median salary of $125,460 with 14,870 employed and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts offers $128,970 with 9,120 employed and a 65.87 score, while New York reaches $139,640 with 7,280 employed and a 65.78 score. Colorado and Washington also show solid opportunity scores above 56, with median salaries of $118,440 and $127,630, respectively. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ lead with very high opportunity scores (77.42 and 77.27) and median salaries above $137,000. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also combine strong pay with substantial employment. These differences give candidates flexibility to target locations balancing salary, job volume, and opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for education administrators, postsecondary is a master’s degree. This expectation reflects the advanced level of responsibility and the need for broad, high-level capabilities. Success in this field is closely tied to a diverse skill set. Key skills include problem solving and decision making, project management, and leadership, which support the planning and execution of complex initiatives. Creativity and innovation, along with adaptability, help administrators respond to changing conditions. Strong speaking and listening, plus writing and reading skills, underpin effective communication with varied stakeholders. Interpersonal skills are important for working with individuals and teams, while critical and analytical thinking and mathematics support data-informed decisions. For students and professionals planning their path, education programs that strengthen these skills—particularly leadership, analysis, communication, and project management—align well with the demands of this occupation and the expectations attached to a master’s-level qualification.
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