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College director salary
Average college director salary
$93,752
Average College Director Salary
The average salary for a college director in the U.S. is approximately $93,752 per year, translating to about $45 per hour. This role is vital for managing academic programs and ensuring that educational standards are met.
Salary Variations by State
Salaries can vary significantly based on location and institutional type. For instance, college directors in states like California and New York often earn higher salaries, reflecting the cost of living and demand for qualified leaders.
Experience Level Impact
Experience also plays a crucial role in determining salary. Entry-level positions may start lower, while seasoned professionals with extensive backgrounds can command higher salaries. Additionally, specific roles, such as those in research-focused institutions, may offer additional compensation for specialized knowledge.
Opportunities for Advancement
As a college director, there are pathways for growth, including potential transitions to higher administrative positions within the educational system. Continuous professional development and networking can enhance prospects for those looking to advance their careers.
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Where can a College Director earn more?
College director salary estimates from across the web
Average college director salary by state
The highest-paying states for college directors are Connecticut, New York, and Indiana. The lowest average college director salary states are Oklahoma, Florida, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for college directors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $99,031 | $47.61 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $120,063 | $57.72 |
| 3 | New York | $108,960 | $52.38 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $115,209 | $55.39 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $103,136 | $49.58 |
| 6 | Indiana | $106,406 | $51.16 |
| 7 | Ohio | $101,622 | $48.86 |
| 8 | Michigan | $102,399 | $49.23 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $93,079 | $44.75 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $96,895 | $46.58 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $102,093 | $49.08 |
| 12 | Maine | $97,969 | $47.10 |
| 13 | North Carolina | $95,766 | $46.04 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $93,698 | $45.05 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $96,296 | $46.30 |
| 16 | California | $97,706 | $46.97 |
| 17 | Nevada | $97,624 | $46.93 |
| 18 | Oregon | $94,293 | $45.33 |
| 19 | Vermont | $92,496 | $44.47 |
| 20 | Arizona | $93,532 | $44.97 |
| 21 | Montana | $92,344 | $44.40 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $93,063 | $44.74 |
| 23 | Maryland | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $91,759 | $44.11 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $93,624 | $45.01 |
| 26 | Colorado | $86,809 | $41.74 |
| 27 | Delaware | $95,211 | $45.77 |
| 28 | Missouri | $87,726 | $42.18 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $89,743 | $43.15 |
| 30 | Louisiana | $77,435 | $37.23 |
| 31 | Alabama | $77,075 | $37.06 |
| 32 | South Carolina | $76,983 | $37.01 |
| 33 | Iowa | $84,746 | $40.74 |
| 34 | Virginia | $84,387 | $40.57 |
| 35 | Nebraska | $82,722 | $39.77 |
| 36 | Illinois | $80,886 | $38.89 |
| 37 | Washington | $84,796 | $40.77 |
| 38 | Utah | $82,163 | $39.50 |
| 39 | Georgia | $78,686 | $37.83 |
| 40 | Hawaii | $51,988 | $24.99 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $70,195 | $33.75 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $78,262 | $37.63 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $66,831 | $32.13 |
| 44 | Texas | $72,760 | $34.98 |
| 45 | Idaho | $78,370 | $37.68 |
| 46 | Alaska | $57,079 | $27.44 |
| 47 | North Dakota | $75,353 | $36.23 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $68,780 | $33.07 |
| 49 | Kansas | $74,851 | $35.99 |
| 50 | Florida | $69,277 | $33.31 |
| 51 | New Mexico | $71,539 | $34.39 |
Highest paying cities for college directors
The highest-paying cities for college directors are Davis, CA, New York, NY, and Boston, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davis, CA | $111,513 | $53.61 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $110,431 | $53.09 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $103,805 | $49.91 |
| 4 | Teaneck, NJ | $102,863 | $49.45 |
| 5 | Mount Pleasant, MI | $101,000 | $48.56 |
| 6 | Winston-Salem, NC | $98,139 | $47.18 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $97,292 | $46.77 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $96,794 | $46.54 |
| 9 | State College, PA | $96,325 | $46.31 |
| 10 | Missoula, MT | $96,049 | $46.18 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $94,749 | $45.55 |
| 12 | Denver, CO | $86,877 | $41.77 |
| 13 | Seattle, WA | $85,096 | $40.91 |
| 14 | Omaha, NE | $83,372 | $40.08 |
| 15 | Atlanta, GA | $79,704 | $38.32 |
| 16 | Pocatello, ID | $77,134 | $37.08 |
| 17 | Memphis, TN | $75,880 | $36.48 |
| 18 | Nacogdoches, TX | $74,817 | $35.97 |
| 19 | Stillwater, OK | $70,342 | $33.82 |
| 20 | Boca Raton, FL | $66,927 | $32.18 |
College director salary details
A college director's salary ranges from $50,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $175,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a college director's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $175,000 | $14,583 | $84 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,000 | $10,833 | $63 |
| Average | $93,752 | $7,813 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
| 10th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
Highest paying college director jobs
The highest paying types of college 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 |
| Department Chairperson | $98,438 | $8,203 | $47.33 | 33,511 |
| Student Dean | $59,497 | $4,958 | $28.60 | 10,422 |
| Co-Chair | $89,375 | $7,448 | $42.97 | 2,878 |
| Chairperson | $125,944 | $10,495 | $60.55 | 5,178 |
Top companies hiring college directors now:
Which companies pay college directors the most?
College director salaries at Emory Healthcare and Kern Community College District are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average college director salary at companies like Cuesta College and New York Edge Music are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emory Healthcare | $158,817 | $76.35 |
| 2 | Kern Community College District | $138,835 | $66.75 |
| 3 | Cuesta College | $133,864 | $64.36 |
| 4 | New York Edge Music | $122,111 | $58.71 |
| 5 | University of Washington | $105,824 | $50.88 |
| 6 | Emory University | $96,565 | $46.43 |
| 7 | UC Santa Barbara | $93,808 | $45.10 |
| 8 | Rowan University | $92,525 | $44.48 |
| 9 | Envision | $92,077 | $44.27 |
| 10 | Johns Hopkins University | $91,564 | $44.02 |
| 11 | The City University of New York | $89,856 | $43.20 |
| 12 | SRI International | $88,680 | $42.63 |
| 13 | University of Nevada, Reno | $88,423 | $42.51 |
| 14 | New York State Restaurant Association | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| 15 | PSEA | $83,280 | $40.04 |
| 16 | SUNY Broome | $76,576 | $36.82 |
| 17 | Young Life | $74,628 | $35.88 |
| 18 | Boston University | $71,949 | $34.59 |
| 19 | Oakland University | $67,768 | $32.58 |
| 20 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | $66,679 | $32.06 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
College director salary trends
The average college director salary has risen by $12,712 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average college director earned $81,040 annually, but today, they earn $93,752 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for college directors over the last decade.
Compare college director salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average college director salary over time
Compare college director salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
College director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $93,800 | $45.07 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $91,700 | $44.11 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $90,700 | $43.61 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $88,800 | $42.70 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $87,300 | $41.96 | +2.4% |
Recently added college director salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Director, College of Science, Engineering & Technology | Bono, AR | 06/30/2025 | $80,000 |
| The University of Chicago | Director, College Aid | Chicago, IL | 06/30/2025 | $104,000 |
| State of South Dakota | Director of The Division of College, Career, and Student Success | Pierre, SD | 06/30/2025 | $83,812 |
| The Principia | Director of College Budgets | Elsah, IL | 06/29/2025 | $90,000 |
| Alfred State College | Director of Libraries-Alfred State College | Alfred, NY | 06/28/2025 | $80,000 |
| Dream Charter School | Director of College & Career Success | New York, NY | 06/26/2025 | $125,000 |
| San Francisco Conservatory of Music | Pre-College Opera & Musical Theater Scenes Class Music Director | San Francisco, CA | 06/25/2025 | $100,176 |
| Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation | Director of College Persistence and College Steps | New York, NY | 06/18/2025 | $75,000 |
| Allentown City School District | Director of College and Career Readiness | Allentown, PA | 06/11/2025 | $109,913 |
| Young Life | College Director | San Jose, CA | 06/09/2025 | $65,000 |
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