Research Summary. In a comprehensive analysis conducted by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest insights on administrator salaries by state across the United States for 2026:
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Washington boasts the highest average salary for administrators at $89,753.
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Mississippi ranks lowest with an average administrator salary of $49,306.
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The national average salary for administrators stands at $72,882.
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The national hourly wage for administrators is $35.04.
For further details, you can explore our specific methodology.
Background
Surveys consistently reveal that salary remains the most critical factor for job seekers across various demographics. Many individuals are eager to know: how much do administrators earn in their area?
While individual circumstances can affect salary expectations, reliable data provides insights into average administrator salaries by state, segmented by seniority level. Although local averages may vary slightly from state averages, these figures offer a general guideline for salary expectations.
Currently, Washington leads the pack with the highest salaries for administrators.
Below is a snapshot of the top ten states for administrator salaries:
Let’s delve deeper into the data and examine a complete ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Administrators By State
| Rank | State | Average Administrator Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $89,753 | $55,000 | $145,000 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $88,207 | $58,000 | $133,000 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $87,681 | $59,000 | $129,000 |
| 4 | Oregon | $84,490 | $52,000 | $136,000 |
| 5 | California | $83,852 | $50,000 | $139,000 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $83,308 | $55,000 | $124,000 |
| 7 | New York | $81,364 | $54,000 | $122,000 |
| 8 | Nevada | $81,068 | $48,000 | $134,000 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $80,839 | $54,000 | $119,000 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $80,052 | $53,000 | $118,000 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $79,491 | $52,000 | $121,000 |
| 12 | Maryland | $79,269 | $51,000 | $123,000 |
| 13 | Delaware | $79,068 | $51,000 | $121,000 |
| 14 | Michigan | $78,666 | $51,000 | $121,000 |
| 15 | Maine | $78,306 | $53,000 | $114,000 |
| 16 | Idaho | $78,109 | $48,000 | $126,000 |
| 17 | Illinois | $77,766 | $49,000 | $122,000 |
| 18 | Minnesota | $77,637 | $49,000 | $121,000 |
| 19 | Virginia | $77,122 | $48,000 | $122,000 |
| 20 | Ohio | $76,601 | $48,000 | $120,000 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $75,610 | $47,000 | $120,000 |
| 22 | North Dakota | $74,658 | $48,000 | $115,000 |
| 23 | Alaska | $74,438 | $51,000 | $106,000 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $72,975 | $46,000 | $113,000 |
| 25 | Utah | $72,729 | $44,000 | $119,000 |
| 26 | Wyoming | $71,904 | $44,000 | $115,000 |
| 27 | Indiana | $71,586 | $44,000 | $114,000 |
| 28 | South Dakota | $71,392 | $45,000 | $112,000 |
| 29 | Arizona | $70,999 | $43,000 | $116,000 |
| 30 | Iowa | $69,470 | $43,000 | $110,000 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $68,899 | $42,000 | $112,000 |
| 32 | Vermont | $68,584 | $46,000 | $101,000 |
| 33 | Missouri | $66,704 | $40,000 | $108,000 |
| 34 | Montana | $65,452 | $41,000 | $104,000 |
| 35 | Kansas | $63,261 | $38,000 | $103,000 |
| 36 | Texas | $62,605 | $37,000 | $103,000 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $59,936 | $37,000 | $95,000 |
| 38 | Colorado | $59,884 | $36,000 | $97,000 |
| 39 | Georgia | $59,525 | $35,000 | $98,000 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $59,467 | $36,000 | $96,000 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $58,690 | $35,000 | $96,000 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $58,093 | $35,000 | $95,000 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $57,307 | $34,000 | $94,000 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $56,973 | $34,000 | $93,000 |
| 45 | Alabama | $53,331 | $32,000 | $88,000 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $52,338 | $31,000 | $86,000 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $52,116 | $31,000 | $86,000 |
| 48 | Florida | $50,139 | $31,000 | $81,000 |
| 49 | Hawaii | $49,427 | $37,000 | $64,000 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $49,306 | $29,000 | $81,000 |
Methodology: Administrator Salary By State
To analyze administrator salaries by state, Zippia consolidated data from a variety of sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. This data was further supported by actual salary listings from job postings. Our data science team then calculated a weighted average of these inputs to derive the average salary for administrators in each state.
We ranked each state based on the average annual salary data for administrators, highlighting the state with the highest average as the top-ranking state.
Administrator Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for administrators?
The highest-paid state for administrators is Washington, with an average salary of $89,753 per year.
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What city pays administrators the most?
San Francisco, CA offers the highest pay for administrators, averaging $96,252 annually.
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What is the worst state for administrators?
The lowest-paying state for administrators is Mississippi, with an average salary of $49,306 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
