Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
City administrator salary
Average city administrator salary
$64,965
Understanding City Administrator Salaries
City administrators play a crucial role in local government, overseeing operations and implementing policies. As of October 2025, the average salary for a city administrator stands at $64,965 per year. This figure can fluctuate significantly based on state, years of experience, and specific job duties.
Salary Variations by State
In states like California and New York, salaries tend to be higher due to increased costs of living and demand for skilled administrators. Conversely, cities in smaller states may offer lower salaries but often provide a lower cost of living, making the overall compensation competitive.
Factors Influencing Salary
Experience plays a significant role in salary determination. Entry-level positions typically start below the average, while seasoned professionals can command salaries exceeding $80,000. Additionally, those in specialized or larger municipalities often earn more, reflecting the complexity and demands of their roles.
Job Opportunities
For those seeking to enter or advance in this field, understanding the salary landscape is essential. Explore job listings on Zippia to find city administrator opportunities that align with your career goals and financial expectations.
Let Zippi find your next city administrator job
Let Zippi find your next city administrator job
Where can a City Administrator earn more?
City administrator salary estimates from across the web
Average city administrator salary by state
The average city administrator salary in New York, Nevada, and New Jersey are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average city administrator salary states are Arkansas, Kentucky, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for city administrators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $84,412 | $40.58 |
| 2 | Washington | $78,331 | $37.66 |
| 3 | New York | $86,162 | $41.42 |
| 4 | Alaska | $71,235 | $34.25 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $75,489 | $36.29 |
| 6 | Arizona | $69,426 | $33.38 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $79,901 | $38.41 |
| 8 | California | $78,758 | $37.86 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $69,013 | $33.18 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $83,633 | $40.21 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $103,421 | $49.72 |
| 12 | Oregon | $67,365 | $32.39 |
| 13 | New Mexico | $64,981 | $31.24 |
| 14 | Maryland | $83,297 | $40.05 |
| 15 | Ohio | $70,549 | $33.92 |
| 16 | Hawaii | $66,233 | $31.84 |
| 17 | Delaware | $71,398 | $34.33 |
| 18 | Colorado | $59,379 | $28.55 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $63,715 | $30.63 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $59,983 | $28.84 |
| 21 | Vermont | $57,039 | $27.42 |
| 22 | Virginia | $73,603 | $35.39 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | $60,176 | $28.93 |
| 24 | Florida | $55,486 | $26.68 |
| 25 | Texas | $57,263 | $27.53 |
| 26 | Michigan | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $60,990 | $29.32 |
| 28 | North Dakota | $52,060 | $25.03 |
| 29 | Missouri | $57,322 | $27.56 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $55,413 | $26.64 |
| 31 | Utah | $49,553 | $23.82 |
| 32 | Illinois | $54,099 | $26.01 |
| 33 | Alabama | $49,499 | $23.80 |
| 34 | Iowa | $52,300 | $25.14 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $56,457 | $27.14 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $51,335 | $24.68 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $51,917 | $24.96 |
| 38 | Georgia | $49,429 | $23.76 |
| 39 | Wyoming | $47,268 | $22.73 |
| 40 | Idaho | $46,757 | $22.48 |
| 41 | Montana | $48,983 | $23.55 |
| 42 | Indiana | $46,711 | $22.46 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $46,911 | $22.55 |
| 45 | Kansas | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| 46 | Maine | $45,001 | $21.64 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $43,786 | $21.05 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $44,019 | $21.16 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $43,503 | $20.91 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $40,815 | $19.62 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $33,130 | $15.93 |
Highest paying cities for city administrators
The highest-paying cities for city administrators are New York, NY, Oakland, CA, and Rochester, MN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $86,299 | $41.49 |
| 2 | Oakland, CA | $82,165 | $39.50 |
| 3 | Rochester, MN | $62,883 | $30.23 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $59,261 | $28.49 |
| 5 | Ballwin, MO | $57,957 | $27.86 |
| 6 | Keller, TX | $55,769 | $26.81 |
| 7 | Moline, IL | $52,017 | $25.01 |
| 8 | Charleston, SC | $45,156 | $21.71 |
City administrator salary details
A city administrator's salary ranges from $33,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $125,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a city administrator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $125,000 | $10,417 | $60 |
| 75th Percentile | $91,000 | $7,583 | $44 |
| Average | $64,965 | $5,414 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
Highest paying city administrator jobs
The highest paying types of city administrators are president/chief executive officer, senior vice president, and president.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vice President | $158,637 | $13,220 | $76.27 | 119,530 |
| President | $192,329 | $16,027 | $92.47 | 49,413 |
| Owner | $90,334 | $7,528 | $43.43 | 86,486 |
| Board Member | $70,751 | $5,896 | $34.01 | 7,581 |
| Co-Founder | $105,022 | $8,752 | $50.49 | 4,214 |
| Co-Owner | $86,704 | $7,225 | $41.68 | 52,915 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for city administrators, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Richard Huff Ph.D.
Assistant professor, assistant chair, Virginia Commonwealth University
These groups likely present varying degrees of salary requirements and qualifications. In the federal service, an MPA qualifies as one at the GS-9 entry-level. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publishes salary tables at Link The beginning salary varies by location from $53K to $61K, with the higher amount near large metropolitan areas. Higher salaries are common in overseas areas. Progression is based on performance with opportunities to achieve salaries of $150K and over at the executive levels. Overall, beginning salaries for the MPA considering nonprofits and government agencies is estimated at $53K.
Top companies hiring city administrators now:
Which companies pay city administrators the most?
City administrator salaries at Icma-rc and City Of Branson are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average city administrator salary at companies like Minnesota Limited and Medical University of South Carolina are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Icma-rc | $108,036 | $51.94 |
| 2 | City Of Branson | $64,811 | $31.16 |
| 3 | Minnesota Limited | $64,564 | $31.04 |
| 4 | Medical University of South Carolina | $55,016 | $26.45 |
| 5 | City of Farmington | $50,136 | $24.10 |
| 6 | Aramark | $32,227 | $15.49 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
City administrator salary trends
The average city administrator salary has risen by $6,652 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average city administrator earned $58,313 annually, but today, they earn $64,965 a year. That works out to a 3% change in pay for city administrators over the last decade.
Compare city administrator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average city administrator salary over time
Compare city administrator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
City administrator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $65,000 | $31.23 | +0.8% |
| 2024 | $64,400 | $30.98 | -2.8% |
| 2023 | $66,200 | $31.85 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $64,000 | $30.78 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | $63,300 | $30.44 | +3.4% |
Recently added city administrator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Oakland, Ca | City Administrator Analyst (Sustainability & Resilience Division) (Exempt) (Gflda) | Oakland, CA | 06/26/2025 | $89,711 |
| International City Management | City Administrator | Lamar, CO | 06/25/2025 | $103,542 |
| International City Management | Assistant City Administrator | Mequon, WI | 06/21/2025 | $106,089 |
| International City Management | City Administrator | Farmington, MN | 06/21/2025 | $167,000 |
| International City Management | City Administrator | Pacific, MO | 06/14/2025 | $120,000 |
| Young Life | Area Administrator-Tri-City | Fremont, CA | 06/09/2025 | $31,305 |
| International City Management | City Administrator | Palos Heights, IL | 06/04/2025 | $140,000 |
| International City Management | City Administrator | Carter Lake, IA | 05/22/2025 | $120,000 |
| International City Management | City Administrator | Brodhead, WI | 05/22/2025 | $95,000 |
| City of Bishop | City Administrator | Bishop, CA | 05/22/2025 | $188,941 |
City administrator salary FAQs
Search for city administrator jobs