Dealing with paperwork is just one of the duties of school administrators.
School administrators manage the daily activities of schools from preschools to colleges, and may direct educational programs in businesses, museums and community service organizations. A master's or doctoral degree is the minimum requirement, though most school administrators move into these positions after several years of experience as teachers and as assistant administrators.
Pre-school
School administrators who work with preschool and child care programs earn a median $41,060 per year as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The bottom 10 percent make $26,250, while the highest 10 percent receive $80,530. The best paying jobs for this position are in elementary and secondary schools containing preschool components, with wages at $67,610, while the most opportunities are found in child daycare services, at $42,620. The state showing the highest salaries for this profession is New York, with yearly pay at $60,150, while the city with best-paying jobs is San Francisco, California, with incomes at $79,480.
Elementary and Secondary
Professionals at elementary and high school receive an average annual salary of $85,220, with a low of $56,690 and a high of $124,820. The highest-paying jobs are in local government, with wages at $98,290. However, the workplaces with the most positions are schools containing preschool to elementary, or preschool to high school grades. They pay $87,530. The state with the best-paying positions is Connecticut, with pay at $109,850. The urban area with the highest-paying jobs is Nassau County, New York, with income at $125,500.
Postsecondary
Postsecondary administrators work in universities, colleges and junior colleges, and make a median annual salary of $82,800, with the top earners getting $162,170 and the bottom earners receiving $46,310. The highest-paid positions belong to scientific research and development services, with pay at $134,880, while the most positions are found in colleges, universities and professional schools, at $99,660. The state with the best-paying positions is New Jersey, with wages at $116,930. The urban area offering the best-paid jobs is Lubbock, Texas, with pay at $142,680.
All Other
Other school administrators typically work in businesses, community service programs, and museums. They make a median $73,910, with a low of $40,950 and a high of $126,350. The highest-paying jobs are in scientific research and development, with compensation at $109,790, while the most job opportunities are in elementary and secondary schools at $88,840. The state and city with the highest-income jobs is the District of Columbia, with earnings at $98,840.
Outlook
The BLS sees employment for all school administrators increasing by eight percent from 2008 to 2018, which is about average for all jobs. Much of the growth will come from the increasing numbers of students at the postsecondary level, as adults retrain for new jobs or the elderly return to school. Some growth is also expected in lower institutions as the number of school-aged children also increases.
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