Education Administrators, Postsecondary

SOC: 11-9033 O*NET: 11-9033.00
Median Salary
$103,960
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.7%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
15.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5

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.

What does a Education Administrators, Postsecondary do?

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.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$63,820
10th percentile
Early Career
$79,880
25th percentile
Median
$103,960
50th percentile
Experienced
$140,940
75th percentile
Top Earners
$212,420
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$63,820
25th
$79,880
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$103,960
Mean: $124,450
75th
$140,940
90th
$212,420
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $148,600 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $79,880 and $140,940
  • Salary spread is 58.7% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 176,420 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:226,600

Top Industries

Educational Services43.4%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools39.7%
Technical and Trade Schools2.1%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+1.7%
Annual Openings:15,100

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)226,600
Current
2034 (Projected)230,500
+1.7%
+4,000
Employment Change
+1.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: More slowly than average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
17,490 jobs$102,1501.10x
California
16,030 jobs$123,8400.78x
Florida
10,630 jobs$87,4700.95x
Illinois
9,650 jobs$95,5201.39x
Massachusetts
9,460 jobs$122,9702.27x
Pennsylvania
8,100 jobs$100,3201.18x
New York
7,340 jobs$136,1700.67x
Ohio
7,170 jobs$82,6401.13x
North Carolina
6,860 jobs$99,9101.22x
Arizona
5,550 jobs$102,0801.52x
Michigan
4,920 jobs$104,9200.98x
Alabama
3,540 jobs$99,2901.48x
Louisiana
3,510 jobs$101,6601.60x
South Carolina
3,480 jobs$83,7101.34x
Missouri
3,380 jobs$105,0501.01x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

    Standard growth expectations for this occupation

    What skills do you need?

    Top 10 Most Important Skills

    #1
    Reading Comprehension
    100%
    #2
    Critical Thinking
    94%
    #3
    Instructing
    86%
    #4
    Active Listening
    80%
    #5
    Monitoring
    74%
    #6
    Time Management
    66%
    #7
    Speaking
    60%
    #8
    Writing
    54%
    #9
    Complex Problem Solving
    46%
    #10
    Active Learning
    40%

    Skills Overview

    Reading Comprehension
    advanced5.0
    100%
    Critical Thinking
    advanced4.7
    94%
    Instructing
    intermediate4.3
    86%
    Active Listening
    intermediate4.0
    80%
    Monitoring
    intermediate3.7
    74%
    Time Management
    intermediate3.3
    66%
    Speaking
    intermediate3.0
    60%
    Writing
    basic2.7
    54%

    Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

    Filter:
    Sort by:

    Reading Comprehension

    advanced
    Importance100%
    abilities
    5.0/5.0

    Critical Thinking

    advanced
    Importance94%
    abilities
    4.7/5.0

    Instructing

    intermediate
    Importance86%
    skills
    4.3/5.0

    Active Listening

    intermediate
    Importance80%
    skills
    4.0/5.0

    Monitoring

    intermediate
    Importance74%
    skills
    3.7/5.0

    Time Management

    intermediate
    Importance66%
    skills
    3.3/5.0

    Speaking

    intermediate
    Importance60%
    skills
    3.0/5.0

    Writing

    basic
    Importance54%
    skills
    2.7/5.0

    Complex Problem Solving

    advanced
    Importance46%
    abilities
    2.3/5.0

    Active Learning

    basic
    Importance40%
    abilities
    2.0/5.0

    Highly Transferable Skills

    These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

    Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary82%
    5 shared skills
    Business Teachers, Postsecondary82%
    5 shared skills
    Communications Teachers, Postsecondary82%
    5 shared skills
    Desktop Publishers82%
    5 shared skills
    Education Teachers, Postsecondary82%
    5 shared skills
    Electrical and Electronics Drafters82%
    5 shared skills

    Skills by Career Stage

    Entry Level

    Must Have:
    • Instructing
    • Active Listening
    Learn on the Job:
    • Time Management
    • Speaking
    • Writing

    Mid Career

    Expected:
    • Instructing
    • Active Listening
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Critical Thinking

    Senior Level

    Mastery Required:
    • Active Listening
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Critical Thinking

    Skill Development Tips

    • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
    • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
    • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
    • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

    What technology will you use?

    Technology & Digital Skills

    Essential technology proficiencies for Education Administrators, Postsecondary

    Technology Intensity
    Very High

    Digital Literacy Requirements

    This career requires expert digital literacy

    1
    Basic
    2
    Intermediate
    3
    Advanced
    4
    Expert

    Key Digital Competencies:

    Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
    🔥

    Hot Technologies in Demand

    These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

    IBM SPSS Statistics

    🔥 Hot Tech

    SAS

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft Access

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft SharePoint

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft Outlook

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft Dynamics

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Oracle PeopleSoft

    🔥 Hot Tech

    SAP software

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft Office software

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft PowerPoint

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft Visio

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft Project

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Technology Stack

    Technology Stack Overview

    Key technologies used in this career

    IBM SPSS Statistics
    SAS
    Microsoft Access
    Microsoft SharePoint
    Microsoft Outlook
    Microsoft Dynamics
    Oracle PeopleSoft
    SAP software
    Microsoft Office software
    Microsoft PowerPoint
    Microsoft Visio
    Microsoft Project

    📚 Technology Learning Resources

    Recommended Certifications

    • Vendor-specific software certifications
    • Industry-recognized technology credentials
    • Professional development courses

    Online Learning Platforms

    • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
    • Coursera - University-level programs
    • Udemy - Practical skills training

    💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

    • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
    • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
    • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
    • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

    What's the work environment like?

    🏢
    Location
    MOSTLY INDOOR
    💪
    Physical Demand
    MODERATE
    👥
    Team Orientation
    MOSTLY TEAM
    🤝
    Customer Interaction
    FREQUENT

    💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

    Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

    • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
    • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
    • Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
    • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

    What are the key tasks?

    Tasks & Responsibilities

    21
    Core Tasks
    8
    Daily Tasks
    20
    Work Activities
    0
    Emerging Tasks
    Filter:
    Sort by:
    Training & Development (3)Planning & Development (4)General Responsibilities (8)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Management & Supervision (3)Communication & Coordination (2)
    1

    Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    100%
    Training & Development100% perform
    2

    Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, and produce financial reports.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    98%
    Planning & Development97% perform
    3

    Represent institutions at community and campus events, in meetings with other institution personnel, and during accreditation processes.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    96%
    General Responsibilities94% perform
    4

    Participate in faculty and college committee activities.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    94%
    General Responsibilities91% perform
    5

    Provide assistance to faculty and staff in duties such as teaching classes, conducting orientation programs, issuing transcripts, and scheduling events.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    92%
    Training & Development88% perform
    6

    Establish operational policies and procedures and make any necessary modifications, based on analysis of operations, demographics, and other research information.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    90%
    General Responsibilities85% perform
    7

    Confer with other academic staff to explain and formulate admission requirements and course credit policies.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    88%
    General Responsibilities82% perform
    8

    Appoint individuals to faculty positions, and evaluate their performance.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    86%
    Analysis & Evaluation79% perform
    9

    Direct activities of administrative departments, such as admissions, registration, and career services.

    🟡
    Weekly
    Importance:
    84%
    Management & Supervision76% perform
    10

    Develop curricula, and recommend curricula revisions and additions.

    🟡
    Weekly
    Importance:
    82%
    Planning & Development73% perform

    💡 Key Takeaways

    • Daily tasks focus primarily on training & development activities
    • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
    • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

    What career paths are available?

    Career Pathways

    0
    Advancement Opportunities
    0
    Lateral Move Options
    0%
    Avg. Salary Increase

    Advancement Opportunities

    Typical career progression paths from Education Administrators, Postsecondary

    💡 Career Planning Tips

    • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
    • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
    • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
    • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

    Is this career right for you?

    Personality & Values Fit

    Is This Career Right for You?

    Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals typically have a SEC Holland code and highly value independence

    SSocial
    EEnterprising
    CConventional

    Important Personality Traits

    Work styles that contribute to success as a Education Administrators, Postsecondary

    Initiative

    Critical

    Initiative

    Importance Level4.63

    Integrity

    Critical

    Integrity

    Importance Level4.61

    Leadership

    Critical

    Leadership

    Importance Level4.58

    Dependability

    Critical

    Dependability

    Importance Level4.57

    Cooperation

    Critical

    Cooperation

    Importance Level4.51

    Achievement/Effort

    Very Important

    Achievement/Effort

    Importance Level4.41

    Complete Work Styles Profile

    Initiative
    4.6
    Integrity
    4.6
    Leadership
    4.6
    Dependability
    4.6
    Cooperation
    4.5
    Achievement/Effort
    4.4
    Persistence
    4.4
    Self-Control
    4.4
    Attention to Detail
    4.3
    Adaptability/Flexibility
    4.3

    💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

    • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
    • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
    • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
    • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

    What education is required?

    Education Level

    Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
    Typical duration: 4 years

    Preparation Level

    Job Zone 5
    Extensive Preparation Needed

    Experience Needed

    Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed

    📚 Education Requirement

    Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree

    Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.

    Training:

    Extensive training and work experience required

    💼 Experience Requirement

    Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed

    Common pathways to gain experience:

    • Master's or doctoral degree
    • Extensive work experience in the field
    • State licensure or professional certification
    5

    Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

    Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.

    Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification

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