Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington WA | $160,924 | $0.00/hr | $142,663 | 5,450 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 112.8 |
| #2 | California CA | $156,520 | $0.00/hr | $106,985 | 30,320 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 146.3 |
| #3 | Connecticut CT | $153,404 | $0.00/hr | $121,460 | 4,190 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 126.3 |
| #4 | District of Columbia DC | $134,490 | $0.00/hr | $84,638 | 7,510 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #5 | New Jersey NJ | $133,406 | $0.00/hr | $112,960 | 1,290 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 118.1 |
| #6 | Alaska AK | $131,210 | $0.00/hr | $110,075 | 360 | Anchorage, AK | 119.2 |
| #7 | Oregon OR | $129,776 | $0.00/hr | $107,966 | 3,790 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 120.2 |
| #8 | Hawaii HI | $129,415 | $0.00/hr | $79,591 | 1,580 | Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 162.6 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Finance & Management Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Finance & Management occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, & career ladder progression for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through. Official 2026 economic data for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary is $105,870 per year ($50.90/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 386 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $78,050 in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL to $174,260 in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $174,260 | +64.6% |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $171,910 | +62.4% |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $170,970 | +61.5% |
| Bellingham, WA | $169,470 | +60.1% |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $168,540 | +59.2% |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $166,910 | +57.7% |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $165,520 | +56.3% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $163,210 | +54.2% |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $163,200 | +54.2% |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $163,170 | +54.1% |
| Vallejo, CA | $163,150 | +54.1% |
| Visalia, CA | $163,130 | +54.1% |