Education Administrators, Postsecondary Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
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.
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 | New Jersey NJ | $141,310 | $67.94/hr | $122,346 | 80 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 115.5 |
| #2 | Kentucky KY | $135,933 | $65.36/hr | $133,137 | 450 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 102.1 |
| #3 | New York NY | $134,767 | $64.79/hr | $109,035 | 9,800 | Binghamton, NY | 123.6 |
| #4 | California CA | $132,319 | $63.62/hr | $90,074 | 13,720 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 146.9 |
| #5 | Washington WA | $131,294 | $63.12/hr | $113,379 | 1,590 | Yakima, WA | 115.8 |
| #6 | Wisconsin WI | $128,541 | $61.80/hr | $124,555 | 590 | Appleton, WI | 103.2 |
| #7 | Michigan MI | $126,778 | $60.95/hr | $125,398 | 3,360 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 101.1 |
| #8 | District of Columbia DC | $125,460 | $60.32/hr | $78,955 | 4,200 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
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.
Master'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, Postsecondary: 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, and career ladder progression for Education Administrators, Postsecondary. Official 2026 economic data for Education Administrators, Postsecondary compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Education Administrators, Postsecondary range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Education Administrators, Postsecondary: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Education Administrators, Postsecondary is $104,590 per year ($50.28/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 240 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $75,380 in Beckley, WV to $177,150 in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Education Administrators, Postsecondary
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $177,150 | +69.4% |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $172,410 | +64.8% |
| Binghamton, NY | $166,660 | +59.3% |
| Yakima, WA | $166,310 | +59.0% |
| Merced, CA | $165,620 | +58.4% |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $158,720 | +51.8% |
| Visalia, CA | $156,010 | +49.2% |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $154,140 | +47.4% |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $153,950 | +47.2% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $144,340 | +38.0% |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $141,700 | +35.5% |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $141,310 | +35.1% |