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Athletic director salary
Average athletic director salary
$71,311
Average Athletic Director Salary
The average salary for an Athletic Director in the United States is $71,311 per year, translating to approximately $34 per hour. This salary can vary based on several factors including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific institution type. For instance, athletic directors at larger universities often earn higher salaries compared to those in smaller schools.
Salary by State
In states like California and New York, the demand for athletic directors is higher, which may lead to more competitive salaries. In contrast, states with fewer college athletics programs may offer lower compensation. Understanding these regional differences can help candidates make informed decisions about where to pursue opportunities.
Growth Opportunities
As athletic programs expand and evolve, there are increasing opportunities for advancement within this field. Networking and professional development can enhance earning potential, making it essential for current and aspiring athletic directors to stay engaged with industry trends and best practices.
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Where can an Athletic Director earn more?
Athletic director salary estimates from across the web
Average athletic director salary by state
The highest-paying states for athletic directors are California, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin. The lowest average athletic director salary states are Florida, South Carolina, and Missouri.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for athletic directors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin | $83,689 | $40.24 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $85,055 | $40.89 |
| 3 | California | $95,435 | $45.88 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $78,384 | $37.68 |
| 5 | Nevada | $83,444 | $40.12 |
| 6 | Ohio | $79,401 | $38.17 |
| 7 | Montana | $77,607 | $37.31 |
| 8 | Oregon | $82,044 | $39.44 |
| 9 | Michigan | $77,248 | $37.14 |
| 10 | New York | $77,794 | $37.40 |
| 11 | Colorado | $76,212 | $36.64 |
| 12 | Vermont | $74,375 | $35.76 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $79,293 | $38.12 |
| 14 | Maine | $77,951 | $37.48 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $76,863 | $36.95 |
| 16 | Iowa | $70,437 | $33.86 |
| 17 | Alaska | $73,401 | $35.29 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $75,227 | $36.17 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $73,874 | $35.52 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $74,395 | $35.77 |
| 21 | Idaho | $77,098 | $37.07 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $76,513 | $36.79 |
| 23 | Louisiana | $67,835 | $32.61 |
| 24 | Maryland | $74,965 | $36.04 |
| 25 | Washington | $74,596 | $35.86 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $70,805 | $34.04 |
| 27 | Rhode Island | $72,548 | $34.88 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $69,941 | $33.63 |
| 29 | Indiana | $67,684 | $32.54 |
| 30 | Illinois | $69,710 | $33.51 |
| 31 | Alabama | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| 32 | Virginia | $70,650 | $33.97 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $66,254 | $31.85 |
| 34 | Arizona | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $69,152 | $33.25 |
| 36 | Delaware | $71,568 | $34.41 |
| 37 | Utah | $65,586 | $31.53 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $54,689 | $26.29 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $55,660 | $26.76 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $63,890 | $30.72 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $55,175 | $26.53 |
| 42 | Texas | $60,109 | $28.90 |
| 43 | Georgia | $57,509 | $27.65 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $59,468 | $28.59 |
| 45 | Tennessee | $61,213 | $29.43 |
| 46 | Kansas | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $60,413 | $29.04 |
| 48 | Hawaii | $61,824 | $29.72 |
| 49 | Missouri | $55,927 | $26.89 |
| 50 | Florida | $57,471 | $27.63 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $56,181 | $27.01 |
Highest paying cities for athletic directors
The highest-paying cities for athletic directors are Alameda, CA, Boston, MA, and Eugene, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alameda, CA | $101,773 | $48.93 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $84,974 | $40.85 |
| 3 | Eugene, OR | $83,070 | $39.94 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $82,741 | $39.78 |
| 5 | Toledo, OH | $80,474 | $38.69 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $78,546 | $37.76 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $77,825 | $37.42 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $77,641 | $37.33 |
| 9 | Denver, CO | $76,240 | $36.65 |
| 10 | Cheyenne, WY | $76,035 | $36.56 |
| 11 | Ridgewood, NJ | $75,577 | $36.34 |
| 12 | Seattle, WA | $75,386 | $36.24 |
| 13 | Baltimore, MD | $75,232 | $36.17 |
| 14 | Alexandria, VA | $72,608 | $34.91 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $70,255 | $33.78 |
| 16 | Salt Lake City, UT | $65,465 | $31.47 |
| 17 | Asheville, NC | $64,009 | $30.77 |
| 18 | Birmingham, AL | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| 19 | San Antonio, TX | $60,764 | $29.21 |
| 20 | Albuquerque, NM | $60,533 | $29.10 |
Athletic director salary details
An athletic director's salary ranges from $40,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $126,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an athletic director's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $126,000 | $10,500 | $61 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $8,000 | $46 |
| Average | $71,311 | $5,943 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $4,333 | $25 |
| 10th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
Highest paying athletic director jobs
The highest paying types of athletic directors are chairperson, vice chairperson, and committee chairperson.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dean | $86,317 | $7,193 | $41.50 | 1,183 |
| Admissions Officer | $33,833 | $2,819 | $16.27 | 58,782 |
| Registrar | $40,632 | $3,386 | $19.53 | 12,723 |
| Co-Chair | $89,375 | $7,448 | $42.97 | 2,878 |
| New Member Educator | $34,187 | $2,849 | $16.44 | 12,866 |
| Department Chairperson | $98,438 | $8,203 | $47.33 | 33,511 |
Top companies hiring athletic directors now:
Which companies pay athletic directors the most?
Athletic director salaries at Kern Community College District and Harvard University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average athletic director salary at companies like Providence College and UCI Health are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kern Community College District | $123,378 | $59.32 |
| 2 | Harvard University | $95,992 | $46.15 |
| 3 | Providence College | $91,281 | $43.89 |
| 4 | UCI Health | $86,739 | $41.70 |
| 5 | University of California-Berkeley | $86,233 | $41.46 |
| 6 | Santa Clara University | $82,670 | $39.75 |
| 7 | Las Vegas | $81,821 | $39.34 |
| 8 | Chicago State University | $80,694 | $38.80 |
| 9 | Boston College | $80,618 | $38.76 |
| 10 | University of California | $80,329 | $38.62 |
| 11 | The City University of New York | $80,305 | $38.61 |
| 12 | California Polytechnic State University | $79,201 | $38.08 |
| 13 | Colorado State Express | $79,038 | $38.00 |
| 14 | University of Massachusetts Boston | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| 15 | Chicago Public Schools | $77,747 | $37.38 |
| 16 | Yale University | $77,602 | $37.31 |
| 17 | Parking Solutions | $76,564 | $36.81 |
| 18 | UC Merced | $73,227 | $35.21 |
| 19 | Chicago Fire FC | $71,022 | $34.15 |
| 20 | Portland State University | $71,015 | $34.14 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Athletic director salary trends
The average athletic director salary has risen by $9,669 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average athletic director earned $61,642 annually, but today, they earn $71,311 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for athletic directors over the last decade.
Compare athletic director salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average athletic director salary over time
Compare athletic director salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Athletic director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $71,300 | $34.28 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $69,800 | $33.55 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $69,000 | $33.17 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $67,600 | $32.48 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $66,400 | $31.91 | +2.4% |
Recently added athletic director salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Reap | Athletic Director | Clinton, CT | 06/29/2025 | $46,958 |
| Four Rivers Charter Public School | Athletic Director | Greenfield Town, MA | 06/28/2025 | $77,219 |
| Clinton Public Schools | Long-Term Substitute Athletic Director | Noank, CT | 06/27/2025 | $46,958 |
| Rochester Community Schools | Adams High Athletic Director (2366) | Rochester Hills, MI | 06/27/2025 | $71,430 |
| Ludlow Independent Schools | Middle School Athletic Director | Ludlow, KY | 06/27/2025 | $36,000 |
| Lewis-Clark State College | Director of Athletics | Lewiston, ID | 06/26/2025 | $95,000 |
| UCLA | Director of Athletic Grounds | Los Angeles, CA | 06/25/2025 | $92,600 |
| Public School of North Carolina | Tchr-Athletic DIR | Greensboro, NC | 06/25/2025 | $57,900 |
| North Boone Community Unit School District 200 | Athletic Director School Year | Kane, IL | 06/25/2025 | $85,000 |
| Rancho Christian School/Rancho Church | Athletics Director | Temecula, CA | 06/25/2025 | $80,000 |
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