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Bursar salary
Average bursar salary
$52,195
Understanding Bursar Salaries
Bursars play a crucial role in managing the financial operations of educational institutions. As of October 2025, the average bursar salary in the United States is approximately $52,195 per year. This figure can be influenced by various factors including years of experience, geographic location, and the type of institution.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level bursars typically start at a lower salary, while those with extensive experience can earn significantly more. For instance, bursars with over ten years of experience may see salaries exceeding $70,000.
Top Paying States
In terms of location, states such as California, New York, and Texas often offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled bursars. By exploring these opportunities, prospective bursars can make informed career decisions.
Job Opportunities
Given the vital nature of the bursar role, job prospects remain strong. Institutions are continually looking for qualified candidates to manage their financial operations effectively. Explore available positions now to find a role that fits your skills and career goals.
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Where can a Bursar earn more?
Bursar salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level bursar | $36,900 | $17.73 |
| Mid-level bursar | $52,700 | $25.32 |
| Senior-level bursar | $69,200 | $33.26 |
Bursar salary estimates from across the web
Average bursar salary by state
The average bursar salary in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average bursar salary states are Montana, Kentucky, and South Dakota.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for bursars
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $68,398 | $32.88 |
| 2 | Virginia | $66,356 | $31.90 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $68,039 | $32.71 |
| 4 | Alaska | $58,017 | $27.89 |
| 5 | Delaware | $61,429 | $29.53 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $71,473 | $34.36 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $71,738 | $34.49 |
| 8 | Arizona | $60,036 | $28.86 |
| 9 | California | $64,738 | $31.12 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $67,816 | $32.60 |
| 11 | New York | $60,494 | $29.08 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $66,759 | $32.10 |
| 13 | Oregon | $56,891 | $27.35 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $62,880 | $30.23 |
| 15 | Maryland | $63,188 | $30.38 |
| 16 | Maine | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| 17 | Washington | $54,346 | $26.13 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $47,986 | $23.07 |
| 19 | Vermont | $61,343 | $29.49 |
| 20 | Texas | $50,809 | $24.43 |
| 21 | Hawaii | $50,622 | $24.34 |
| 22 | Indiana | $46,662 | $22.43 |
| 23 | Florida | $50,157 | $24.11 |
| 24 | Georgia | $51,561 | $24.79 |
| 25 | Nevada | $47,325 | $22.75 |
| 26 | Michigan | $49,311 | $23.71 |
| 27 | Ohio | $45,861 | $22.05 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $47,746 | $22.95 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $48,155 | $23.15 |
| 30 | Louisiana | $47,605 | $22.89 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $47,228 | $22.71 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $44,508 | $21.40 |
| 33 | Kansas | $42,030 | $20.21 |
| 34 | Colorado | $45,065 | $21.67 |
| 35 | Montana | $39,793 | $19.13 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $43,495 | $20.91 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $40,533 | $19.49 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $39,993 | $19.23 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $38,415 | $18.47 |
| 41 | Iowa | $42,951 | $20.65 |
| 42 | Alabama | $41,371 | $19.89 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $41,940 | $20.16 |
| 44 | North Dakota | $37,381 | $17.97 |
| 45 | Utah | $42,391 | $20.38 |
| 46 | Missouri | $40,750 | $19.59 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $41,064 | $19.74 |
| 48 | Idaho | $36,494 | $17.55 |
| 49 | Illinois | $43,023 | $20.68 |
| 50 | Kentucky | $39,773 | $19.12 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $39,034 | $18.77 |
Highest paying cities for bursars
The highest-paying cities for bursars are Dartmouth, MA, Camarillo, CA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dartmouth, MA | $73,118 | $35.15 |
| 2 | Camarillo, CA | $64,825 | $31.17 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $60,664 | $29.17 |
| 4 | Tempe, AZ | $60,077 | $28.88 |
| 5 | Anchorage, AK | $58,453 | $28.10 |
| 6 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $50,942 | $24.49 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $45,004 | $21.64 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $43,338 | $20.84 |
| 9 | Saint Louis, MO | $41,276 | $19.84 |
Bursar salary details
A bursar's salary ranges from $34,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $79,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a bursar's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,000 | $5,417 | $31 |
| Average | $52,195 | $4,350 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
Highest paying bursar jobs
The highest paying types of bursars are processing specialist, accounting associate, and finance coordinator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance Clerk | $39,225 | $3,269 | $18.86 | 143,372 |
| Accounts Receivable Clerk | $36,425 | $3,035 | $17.51 | 87,935 |
| Accounts Payable Clerk | $38,333 | $3,194 | $18.43 | 89,564 |
| Accounting Technician | $41,337 | $3,445 | $19.87 | 39,972 |
| Charge Bookkeeper | $46,615 | $3,885 | $22.41 | 27,542 |
| Accountable Clerk | $38,120 | $3,177 | $18.33 | 81,209 |
Which companies pay bursars the most?
Bursar salaries at Colorado State Express and University of Rochester are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average bursar salary at companies like University of Advancing Technology and UMass Dartmouth are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado State Express | $50,256 | $24.16 |
| 2 | University of Rochester | $49,894 | $23.99 |
| 3 | University of Advancing Technology | $48,839 | $23.48 |
| 4 | UMass Dartmouth | $47,968 | $23.06 |
| 5 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $47,527 | $22.85 |
| 6 | University of Alaska | $46,879 | $22.54 |
| 7 | The City University of New York | $46,441 | $22.33 |
| 8 | Eckerd College | $41,939 | $20.16 |
| 9 | Chicago State University | $40,444 | $19.44 |
| 10 | Cecil College | $37,861 | $18.20 |
| 11 | St. Louis Community College | $34,538 | $16.60 |
| 12 | Fuller Seminary | $31,997 | $15.38 |
| 13 | Ave Maria Florida | $31,419 | $15.11 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Bursar salary trends
The average bursar salary has risen by $9,440 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average bursar earned $42,755 annually, but today, they earn $52,195 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for bursars over the last decade.
Compare bursar salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average bursar salary over time
Compare bursar salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Bursar salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $52,200 | $25.09 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $50,700 | $24.40 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $49,500 | $23.81 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $48,300 | $23.22 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $47,200 | $22.71 | +3.0% |
Recently added bursar salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson Valley Community College | Assistant Bursar Hv-Ntp | Troy, NY | 06/26/2025 | $42,000 |
| Shippensburg University of Pa | Assistant Bursar | Shippensburg, PA | 06/19/2025 | $57,449 |
| Savannah State University | Bursar | Savannah, GA | 06/14/2025 | $80,000 |
| Union Group | Bursar | Schenectady, NY | 06/09/2025 | $72,000 |
| Suny College at Old Westbury | Bursar-Suny OLD Westbury | Old Westbury, NY | 05/20/2025 | $64,474 |
| Union Group | Bursar | Schenectady, NY | 04/28/2025 | $72,000 |
| Suny College at Old Westbury | Bursar-Suny OLD Westbury | Old Westbury, NY | 04/26/2025 | $64,474 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Bursar Cashier | Valparaiso, IN | 04/26/2025 | $31,305 |
| State of New York | Bursar | Old Westbury, NY | 04/24/2025 | $62,596 |
| St. Mary's Health System | Bursar-Nashua, NH, ST. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing | Nashua, NH | 04/17/2025 | $40,801 |
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