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Job outlook for college administrators in the United States
Are college administrator jobs in demand?
College administrator job and salary trends over time
College administrator jobs over time
College administrator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 127 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 115 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 118 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 117 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 116 | 0.00% |
Average college administrator salary over time
College administrator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,036 | $19.73 | +2.2% |
| 2024 | $40,156 | $19.31 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $39,706 | $19.09 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $38,872 | $18.69 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $38,199 | $18.36 | +2.5% |
College administrator jobs by state
Most common states for college administrators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 779 | 14% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 867 | 13% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 98 | 13% |
| 4 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 357 | 12% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 152 | 11% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 83 | 11% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 69 | 11% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 400 | 10% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 649 | 9% |
| 10 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 634 | 9% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 519 | 9% |
| 12 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 186 | 9% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 167 | 9% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 94 | 9% |
| 15 | Delaware | 961,939 | 84 | 9% |
| 16 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 51 | 9% |
| 17 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 395 | 8% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 231 | 8% |
| 19 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 136 | 8% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 89 | 8% |
College Administrator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of college administrator experts
Ohio University
Wesleyan College
Springfield College
University of Hawai'i West O'ahu
DePaul University
International Association of Administrative Professionals
What skills stand out on College Administrator resumes?
Greg Kessler Ph.D.: I am not sure that there are any particular skills that stand out on resumes, but familiarity with instructional design principles should be considered to be very valuable. I also think that knowledge of multimedia principles, social media, and various forms of virtual and immersive experiences. Also, knowledge of AI and the other things I referred to in the trends above.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the College Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Virginia Wilcox: I believe in regard to Education we'll see a higher need for candidates who can fluidly and confidently teach in both a virtual as well as a face-to-face platform.
This will go FAR beyond simply knowing HOW to run a virtual class, set up assignments, create and grade assignments, and communicate that with families.
There will be an even stronger need for these new hires to be:
-confident in building trusting communities of learners,
-strong in planning, presenting, and teaching lessons that engage learners who are screen/virtual platform weary,
-consistent in holding high expectations and establishing levels of accountability that hold students responsible for their own choices, actions, and decisions remotely,
-respectful of the diverse and varied households they will be virtually 'entering' each day by valuing the privacy of families and honoring parenting choices rather than judging.
I believe most Educational Preparation Programs are already shifting to ensure these areas are embedded in the flow of the current courses.
It will not be enough to simply convey your content virtually any longer.
What general advice would you give to a College Administrator?
Eileen Cyr Ed.D.: Use every resource at their disposal to increase their understanding of SEL and FACE. Build a resume that provides evidence of their ability to thrive in both a virtual and face to face classroom. Be prepared to engage with online platforms like Zoom, Nearpod, Jamboard, Padlet, and google slides.
Breathe - the airline advice of putting on your oxygen mask before assisting others is 100% applicable to today's teachers.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the College Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Eileen Cyr Ed.D.: The pandemic's financial ramifications will impact state and district budgets, and schools will likely be required to do more with fewer resources. This could potentially trickle down to personnel cuts. Even with this possibility, I believe that there will be an abundance of job opportunities related to early retirement and the predicted exodus from the profession.
In one form or another, virtual teaching is here to stay. I live in New England and believe that we will never have another "snow day." Teachers will need to provide lesson plans that can be carried out both in person and virtually. I believe that it is likely that students who are out sick due to minor illness will be required to attend virtually.
What College Administrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Eileen Cyr Ed.D.: The pandemic, the polarization of the election, and the Black Lives Matter movement have reinforced today's educators' need to understand how to create a safe learning environment and build a school community. I would encourage students in a gap year to educate themselves on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Family and Community Engagement (FACE). This can be accomplished via independent research, participation in MOOCs, and service projects.
What type of skills will young College Administrators need?
Dr. Mary F. Heller: Young graduates will need to emerge into the profession as. . .
-Caring and flexible individuals who understand how to design and deliver developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant pedagogy to our diverse student populations.
-Technologically savvy teachers can use a state of the art computer software and Internet platforms to support teaching and learning.
-Life-long learners who are not hesitant to reach out to others through professional development or graduate work keep current in their respective fields.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on College Administrators?
Dr. Mary F. Heller: Based on recent conversations with undergraduate teacher candidates and alumni, follow are examples of the impact they have felt teaching and learning during the Pandemic:
The Pandemic has ...
-Heightened their awareness of the inequities (e.g., access to technology, hardware, software, the Internet, etc.) among students and their families of all cultures in Hawaii.
Reminded them daily of the importance of being flexible in meeting our diverse student populations' needs, Pre-K-12.
-Instilled a sense of gratitude for the positive, caring attitudes and support of peers, mentors, and university professors, as everyone strives to succeed under these difficult circumstances.
What experience really stands out on College Administrator resumes?
Dr. Mary F. Heller: Items that stand out on resumes of graduates coming into the profession include but are not limited to. . .
-an earned baccalaureate degree from a state-accredited teacher preparation program housed in a regionally approved university.
-in addition to a general education teaching license, additional licenses in a high need area such as Special Education, English --Language Learners, and STEM (Math, Science, Technology)
-experience teaching in several grade levels or in multiple disciplines
-documented community service
-leadership skills as evidence in community service or undergraduate student government
-membership in professional organizations, such as the National Education Association (NEA)
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for College Administrators to find work opportunities?
Dr. Anna Frank: This was on ZipRecruiter-outdoor jobs.
Try the Top Five
If location isn't a factor in your outdoor job search, then consider heading to one of the top five states who offer the most employment opportunities to be had under the sun (and stars). Those are:
1. California
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. New York
5. North Carolina
What type of skills will young College Administrators need?
Veronica Cochran: Those entering the administrative profession in the upcoming years will find it beneficial to understand what it means to be a strategic partner to their direct manager/supervisor, department, and organization at-large. As strategic partners, their role will extend beyond being a support person. It will involve strategically aligning oneself to fulfilling the organization's mission and vision while achieving business outcomes and success. The following skills will optimize both professional and organizational effectiveness:
1. Time management and organization
2. High EQ and interpersonal communication
3. Leadership effectiveness and accountability
4. Relationship management - (high inclusion capacity and high collaboration)
5. Problem-solving and innovation
6. Strategic planning and adaptability
How do you envision technology impacting College Administrators in the next 5 years?
Veronica Cochran: Technology will continue to change the nature of work and how work actually gets done for every profession and professional. In particular, it will enable administrative professionals to increase organization and prioritization, optimize performance, and improve efficiency and effectiveness. Technology will support our connectivity - further empowering collaboration, inclusion and teamwork. It will help administrative professionals better manage projects through shared accountability, allowing us to track and evaluate our progress to optimize desired outcomes in real-time.