How much does a education administrator make?
The median education administrator in the United States earns $105,870 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all education administrators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 11-9032.
Education administrator salary range
Pay for education administrators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $76,280 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $167,770. The average (mean) wage of $116,100 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $76,280 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $86,040 | |
| Median (50th) | $105,870 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $134,630 | |
| 90th percentile | $167,770 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for education administrators, kindergarten through secondary (SOC 11-9032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Education administrator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Education administrators earn the most in Washington at $166,590 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $80,650. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $166,590 | 6,470 |
| California | $159,950 | 31,370 |
| Connecticut | $156,240 | 4,610 |
| New York | $138,830 | 19,210 |
| District of Columbia | $137,470 | 1,930 |
| New Jersey | $137,440 | 11,450 |
| Delaware | $132,710 | 1,100 |
| Maryland | $131,510 | 7,200 |
| Oregon | $130,050 | 4,160 |
| Utah | $128,880 | 2,940 |
| Massachusetts | $128,430 | 10,570 |
| Minnesota | $127,000 | 4,120 |
| Hawaii | $126,760 | 1,910 |
| Alaska | $125,520 | 890 |
| Rhode Island | $119,980 | 1,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $118,710 | 14,460 |
| Wisconsin | $117,010 | 4,030 |
| Illinois | $113,360 | 14,850 |
| Nebraska | $110,580 | 1,860 |
| Colorado | $110,530 | 5,760 |
| Nevada | $109,420 | 2,490 |
| North Dakota | $107,940 | 810 |
| New Mexico | $107,720 | 2,290 |
| Virginia | $106,100 | 8,470 |
| Wyoming | $105,480 | 410 |
| Vermont | $105,350 | 1,000 |
| New Hampshire | $104,910 | 1,590 |
| Iowa | $104,260 | 3,310 |
| Michigan | $104,020 | 9,610 |
| Georgia | $103,360 | 7,530 |
| Maine | $102,890 | 1,710 |
| South Carolina | $102,440 | 5,000 |
| Idaho | $101,090 | 1,830 |
| Kansas | $100,530 | 2,520 |
| Missouri | $100,400 | 7,120 |
| Kentucky | $99,920 | 4,940 |
| Ohio | $99,590 | 12,480 |
| Indiana | $98,770 | 6,990 |
| Tennessee | $97,590 | 6,180 |
| Alabama | $97,480 | 3,020 |
| Arizona | $97,480 | 5,270 |
| Florida | $96,490 | 16,960 |
| Montana | $95,700 | 930 |
| Texas | $93,910 | 37,140 |
| South Dakota | $88,390 | 680 |
| Oklahoma | $86,630 | 4,320 |
| Arkansas | $86,330 | 2,760 |
| Louisiana | $83,360 | 5,080 |
| North Carolina | $83,180 | 11,220 |
| Mississippi | $82,800 | 3,170 |
| West Virginia | $80,650 | 1,480 |
State median wages for education administrators, kindergarten through secondary (SOC 11-9032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for education administrators
The BLS projects employment of education administrators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 343,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 342,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 20,600 openings a year for education administrators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an education administrator
The typical entry-level education for education administrators is a master's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an education administrator earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $166,590) and the lowest (West Virginia, $80,650) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 328,330 people work as education administrators in the United States. At $105,870 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Education administrator salary FAQ
How much does an education administrator make an hour?
Education administrators are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $105,870.
What is the highest education administrator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of education administrators earn more than $167,770 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an education administrator make a year?
The median annual salary for an education administrator is $105,870. The average (mean) wage of $116,100 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an education administrator a well paid job?
At $105,870 a year, an education administrator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 328,330 people work as education administrators in the United States.
Which state pays education administrators the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for education administrators at $166,590 a year. California ($159,950) and Connecticut ($156,240) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an education administrator a good career?
Employment of education administrators is projected to shrink 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 20,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an education administrator?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for education administrators as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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