How To Become A City Administrator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a city administrator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Bill McGinley

City administrators are government employees that work in the mayor's office, serving as overseers for activities in the city office as well as the departments that are in charge of utilities and services (e.g. parks and recreation, finance, police, fire, etc.). As high-level leaders, they are responsible for supervising and directing subordinates to ensure that all goals of the office are being met.

The best way to pursue a career as a city administrator is to finish a bachelor's degree in public administration. The program provides the knowledge and skills required to become a successful city administrator, including technical writing, macro and microeconomics, financial statement analysis, policy development, and organizational behavior principles, among many others. Obtaining a master's degree in the same major can further increase your chances of job placement and raise your earning potential.

The average annual salary of a city administrator ranges from $40,000 to $80,000. City administrators in larger cities can earn around $100,000 or even higher, given their wider area of responsibility.

What general advice would you give to a city administrator?

Bill McGinley

President & CEO, American College of Health Care Administrators

LTC administrators should have at least a bachelor's degree in business or a healthcare-related field. A well-rounded internship that exposes the future administrator to all aspects of the operation is essential. Needed skills include business, marketing, finance, operations, management and leadership.
Post pandemic opportunities will be nationwide in this field with a greater need in rural areas.
Technology will continue to play a big role in the field. Computerized medical records, census management, and all clinical areas will continue to dominate. Online meetings are liable to continue as well, as employers realize that there is a savings to be gained by not having people travel to meetings and conferences.

ScoreCity AdministratorUS Average

Salary

5.1

Avg. Salary $64,965

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

1.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.65%

Asian 7.76%

Black or African American 3.81%

Hispanic or Latino 7.90%

Unknown 3.90%

White 75.99%

Gender

female 33.26%

male 66.74%

Age - 52

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 52

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.0

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a city administrator

Explore city administrator education requirements

Most common city administrator degrees

Bachelor's

57.6 %

Master's

27.2 %

Associate

8.7 %

Start to develop specific city administrator skills

Skills	Percentages
Public Works	9.88%
Local Government	7.94%
Financial Reports	6.35%
Community Development	5.63%
Municipal Government	5.61%

Research city administrator duties and responsibilities

Maintain an ave. 35-40 A/R days and achieve finacials from red to black.
Provide day-to-day oversight of accounts receivables (tax collections and revenues).
Maximize customer satisfaction in rehabilitation therapy.
Serve as GIS coordinator between county and city offices.

Get city administrator experience

Generally, it takes more than 10 years to become a city administrator. The most common roles before becoming a city administrator include city manager, administrative assistant team lead and internship.

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