Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Postsecondary education administrators typically need a master’s degree. However, there will be some opportunities for those with a bachelor’s degree. Employers typically prefer to hire candidates who have experience working in a postsecondary education administrative office, especially for occupations such as registrars and academic deans. PayThe median annual wage for postsecondary education administrators was $104,590 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 14,500 openings for postsecondary education administrators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for postsecondary education administrators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of postsecondary education administrators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about postsecondary education administrators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for postsecondary education administrators was $104,590 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 14,500 openings for postsecondary education administrators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for postsecondary education administrators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of postsecondary education administrators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about postsecondary education administrators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 14,500 openings for postsecondary education administrators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for postsecondary education administrators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of postsecondary education administrators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about postsecondary education administrators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics, and faculty research at colleges and universities.
Work Environment
Postsecondary education administrators work for public and private schools. Most work full time.
How to Become a Postsecondary Education Administrator
Postsecondary education administrators typically need a master’s degree. However, there will be some opportunities for those with a bachelor’s degree. Employers typically prefer to hire candidates who have experience working in a postsecondary education administrative office, especially for occupations such as registrars and academic deans.
Pay
The median annual wage for postsecondary education administrators was $104,590 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 14,500 openings for postsecondary education administrators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for postsecondary education administrators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of postsecondary education administrators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about postsecondary education administrators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Postsecondary education administrators work for public and private schools. Most work full time.
How to Become a Postsecondary Education Administrator
Postsecondary education administrators typically need a master’s degree. However, there will be some opportunities for those with a bachelor’s degree. Employers typically prefer to hire candidates who have experience working in a postsecondary education administrative office, especially for occupations such as registrars and academic deans.
Pay
The median annual wage for postsecondary education administrators was $104,590 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 14,500 openings for postsecondary education administrators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for postsecondary education administrators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of postsecondary education administrators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about postsecondary education administrators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for postsecondary education administrators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of postsecondary education administrators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about postsecondary education administrators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about postsecondary education administrators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.