What Education Administrators, Postsecondary do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Education Administrators, Postsecondary this way: "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 core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel"; "Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, and produce financial reports"; "Represent institutions at community and campus events, in meetings with other institution personnel, and during accreditation processes"; "Participate in faculty and college committee activities"; "Provide assistance to faculty and staff in duties such as teaching classes, conducting orientation programs, issuing transcripts, and scheduling events".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is master's degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years.
Job outlook for Education Administrators, Postsecondary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 231,800 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 235,900 in 2035, an increase of 4,100 jobs (+1.8%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 14,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.3% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $104,590, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Education Administrators, Postsecondary earn the most
Across the 4 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $123,120 in Massachusetts to $136,298 in New York, a gap of $13,178 (1.11 times). 4 of those 4 states average above the BLS national median of $104,590 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 12,370, which is 31.1% of the 39,780 counted across them. New York follows with 10,130.
Highest-paying states
New York ($136,298), New Jersey ($129,711) and New Hampshire ($129,269) lead the ranking, while Massachusetts ($123,120) and New Hampshire ($129,269) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Education Administrators, Postsecondary: pay against the cost of living
We compare 4 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Rockingham County, NH (Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH) at $71,338. The smallest margin is $56,695 in Middlesex County, MA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 4 of the 4 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 21.0% and 33.5% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Education Administrators, Postsecondary
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (11-9000) include Natural Sciences Managers, Architectural and Engineering Managers, Medical and Health Services Managers and Construction Managers.
Frequently asked questions about Education Administrators, Postsecondary
What is the national median wage for Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $104,590. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $123,120 to $136,298.
Which state pays Education Administrators, Postsecondary the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $136,298. New Jersey is next at $129,711.
What is the job outlook for Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
BLS projects employment to grow by 1.8% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 14,500 openings a year.
What education do Education Administrators, Postsecondary need?
The typical entry-level education is master's degree, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years, according to BLS.
Where can Education Administrators, Postsecondary afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Rockingham County, NH leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $71,338 on a median wage of $131,130.