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College dean salary
Average college dean salary
$91,676
Understanding the College Dean Salary
The role of a College Dean is vital in shaping the academic environment within institutions. As of October 2025, the average salary for this position is $91,676 per year, which translates to approximately $44 per hour. Factors influencing this salary include geographic location, years of experience, and the specific institution.
Salary Variations by State
In states like California and New York, College Deans tend to earn higher salaries compared to those in less populous states. The demand for skilled leaders in higher education continues to rise, leading to competitive compensation in urban areas.
Job Opportunities
College Deans also have opportunities for advancement within their institutions, potentially moving into higher administrative roles or specialized positions that offer increased salaries. Networking, continuing education, and professional development are key to maximizing earning potential in this field.
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Where can a College Dean earn more?
College dean salary estimates from across the web
Average college dean salary by state
The average college dean salary in Connecticut, Nevada, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average college dean salary states are Hawaii, Mississippi, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for college deans
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $109,139 | $52.47 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $107,962 | $51.90 |
| 3 | New York | $97,393 | $46.82 |
| 4 | Michigan | $92,565 | $44.50 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $90,604 | $43.56 |
| 6 | Ohio | $93,542 | $44.97 |
| 7 | Oregon | $88,421 | $42.51 |
| 8 | North Carolina | $90,392 | $43.46 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $83,697 | $40.24 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $92,982 | $44.70 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $86,061 | $41.38 |
| 12 | Nevada | $101,961 | $49.02 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $88,376 | $42.49 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $84,715 | $40.73 |
| 15 | California | $93,503 | $44.95 |
| 16 | Maryland | $88,763 | $42.67 |
| 17 | Maine | $80,422 | $38.66 |
| 18 | Arizona | $78,159 | $37.58 |
| 19 | Virginia | $79,424 | $38.18 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $79,198 | $38.08 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $80,095 | $38.51 |
| 22 | Delaware | $87,330 | $41.99 |
| 23 | Vermont | $76,773 | $36.91 |
| 24 | Montana | $72,658 | $34.93 |
| 25 | Louisiana | $77,458 | $37.24 |
| 26 | New Hampshire | $79,545 | $38.24 |
| 27 | Washington | $79,307 | $38.13 |
| 28 | Indiana | $69,371 | $33.35 |
| 29 | Texas | $73,834 | $35.50 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $69,726 | $33.52 |
| 31 | Colorado | $67,460 | $32.43 |
| 32 | Illinois | $72,697 | $34.95 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $69,837 | $33.58 |
| 34 | Alaska | $62,123 | $29.87 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $70,763 | $34.02 |
| 36 | Utah | $64,814 | $31.16 |
| 37 | Iowa | $65,749 | $31.61 |
| 38 | Missouri | $64,195 | $30.86 |
| 39 | Florida | $64,414 | $30.97 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $66,423 | $31.93 |
| 41 | Alabama | $65,290 | $31.39 |
| 42 | Idaho | $66,744 | $32.09 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $62,991 | $30.28 |
| 44 | Wyoming | $65,625 | $31.55 |
| 45 | Georgia | $56,657 | $27.24 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $57,451 | $27.62 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $57,936 | $27.85 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $52,237 | $25.11 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $56,881 | $27.35 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $52,134 | $25.06 |
| 51 | Kansas | $52,619 | $25.30 |
Highest paying cities for college deans
The highest-paying cities for college deans are Bridgeport, CT, Reno, NV, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgeport, CT | $110,477 | $53.11 |
| 2 | Reno, NV | $105,629 | $50.78 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $97,946 | $47.09 |
| 4 | San Luis Obispo, CA | $97,873 | $47.05 |
| 5 | Columbus, OH | $92,939 | $44.68 |
| 6 | Brockton, MA | $87,005 | $41.83 |
| 7 | Milwaukee, WI | $84,288 | $40.52 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $80,221 | $38.57 |
| 9 | Seattle, WA | $80,204 | $38.56 |
| 10 | Norfolk, VA | $79,272 | $38.11 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $78,631 | $37.80 |
| 12 | Houston, TX | $74,572 | $35.85 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $73,578 | $35.37 |
| 14 | Hammond, IN | $70,478 | $33.88 |
| 15 | Boca Raton, FL | $64,436 | $30.98 |
| 16 | Salt Lake City, UT | $63,775 | $30.66 |
| 17 | Springfield, MO | $61,827 | $29.72 |
| 18 | Memphis, TN | $58,527 | $28.14 |
| 19 | Fairbanks, AK | $57,826 | $27.80 |
| 20 | Lawrence, KS | $52,442 | $25.21 |
College dean salary details
A college dean's salary ranges from $53,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $157,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a college dean's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $157,000 | $13,083 | $75 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000 | $10,083 | $58 |
| Average | $91,676 | $7,640 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,000 | $5,750 | $33 |
| 10th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
Highest paying college dean jobs
The highest paying types of college deans are chairperson, vice chairperson, and committee chairperson.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Member Educator | $34,187 | $2,849 | $16.44 | 12,866 |
| Admissions Officer | $33,833 | $2,819 | $16.27 | 58,782 |
| Director Of Admissions | $57,524 | $4,794 | $27.66 | 12,833 |
| Director Of Student Affairs | $74,804 | $6,234 | $35.96 | 22,875 |
| Department Chairperson | $98,438 | $8,203 | $47.33 | 33,511 |
| Finance Aid Director | $58,644 | $4,887 | $28.19 | 98,523 |
Which companies pay college deans the most?
College dean salaries at Massasoit Community College and The University of Kansas Health System are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average college dean salary at companies like TriHealth and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massasoit Community College | $128,693 | $61.87 |
| 2 | The University of Kansas Health System | $126,987 | $61.05 |
| 3 | TriHealth | $125,893 | $60.53 |
| 4 | American Speech-Language-Hearing Association | $124,051 | $59.64 |
| 5 | Grand Canyon University | $111,987 | $53.84 |
| 6 | UC Santa Barbara | $97,890 | $47.06 |
| 7 | University of Tennessee | $91,367 | $43.93 |
| 8 | University of Kentucky | $91,314 | $43.90 |
| 9 | Central State University | $89,684 | $43.12 |
| 10 | Seattle University | $88,408 | $42.50 |
| 11 | Unitek Learning | $87,585 | $42.11 |
| 12 | Franklin University | $81,667 | $39.26 |
| 13 | M.C. Dean | $79,364 | $38.16 |
| 14 | Bunker Hill Community College | $77,587 | $37.30 |
| 15 | Midwestern University | $77,293 | $37.16 |
| 16 | University of Nevada, Reno | $76,915 | $36.98 |
| 17 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania | $73,215 | $35.20 |
| 18 | University of Houston | $69,971 | $33.64 |
| 19 | Spalding Drive Elementary School | $68,413 | $32.89 |
| 20 | University of Florida | $65,129 | $31.31 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
College dean salary trends
The average college dean salary has risen by $12,431 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average college dean earned $79,245 annually, but today, they earn $91,676 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for college deans over the last decade.
Compare college dean salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average college dean salary over time
Compare college dean salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
College dean salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $91,700 | $44.07 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $89,700 | $43.13 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $88,700 | $42.65 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $86,800 | $41.75 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $85,300 | $41.03 | +2.4% |
Recently added college dean salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheldon ISD | Future Dean of Early College High School | Nome, TX | 06/28/2025 | $90,799 |
| Shepherd University | Dean of The College of Business and Recreation (CBR) | Shepherdstown, WV | 06/25/2025 | $155,000 |
| ESC Region 12 | Dean of Admissions & College Readiness-Georgetown TX | Georgetown, TX | 06/16/2025 | $73,100 |
| Teaching | Dean of College and Career | Providence, RI | 06/14/2025 | $85,765 |
| Achievement First | Dean of College and Career | Providence, RI | 06/13/2025 | $85,765 |
| Bristol Community College | Dean of Dual Enrollment-Bristol Community College | Fall River, MA | 06/13/2025 | $119,111 |
| Niagara County Community College | Dean of The College of Nursing, Physical and Allied Health | Sanborn, NY | 06/05/2025 | $85,900 |
| Niagara County Community College | Dean of The College of Nursing, Physical and Allied Health | Sanborn, NY | 05/28/2025 | $85,900 |
| Bunker Hill Community College | Dean-Behavioral, Social Science and Global Learning-Bunker Hill Community College | Boston, MA | 05/20/2025 | $143,000 |
| Voorhees College | Dean, W. Franklin Evans Honors College | Denmark, SC | 05/16/2025 | $60,000 |
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