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Higher Education Administration Salary in the United States

How much does a Higher Education Administration make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Higher Education Administration in the United States is $50,734 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

However, a Higher Education Administration's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $64,594
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $44,201 to $57,989
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,252
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Higher Education Administration Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Higher Education Administration Salaries

A Higher Education Administration's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Higher Education Administration Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Higher Education Administration's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $49,223
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $54,541
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $65,368
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $75,550
  • Expert (over 8 years): $104,883
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Higher Education Administration less than 1 year $49,223
Admissions Evaluator 1-2 years $54,541
Admissions Manager 2-4 years $65,368
Admissions Senior Manager 5-8 years $75,550
Admissions Director over 8 years $104,883

How Do Higher Education Administration Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Higher Education Administrations. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $56,173.
  • California: $55,960.
  • Massachusetts: $55,214.

Top Paying Cities for Higher Education Administration

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $63,991
  • San Francisco: $63,291
  • Oakland: $61,957

Higher Education Administration Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Higher Education Administration roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 15% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Higher Education Administration positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Higher Education Administration as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Higher Education Administration

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government $55,808 $27.0 10%

How Education impacts a Higher Education Administration's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Higher Education Administration professionals enter the field with a Associate's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Higher Education Administration with a Associate's is between $44,426 and $47,294.

Higher Education Administration Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Higher Education Administration
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.3%
High School 7.1%
Associate's Degree 7.4%
Bachelor's Degree 56.4%
Master's Degree or MBA 28.1%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.8%
View as Graph

Higher Education Administration Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Higher Education Administration's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$44,201
Average $50,734/year
$57,989
$3,683
Average $4,228/month
$4,832
$850
Average $976/week
$1,115
$21
Average $24/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $57,989 $4,832 $1,115 $28
Average $50,734 $4,228 $976 $24
25th Percentile $44,201 $3,683 $850 $21

Most common benefits for Higher Education Administration

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Higher Education Administration

Here are companies hiring for Higher Education Administration and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Higher Education Administration Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Higher Education Administration job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • McDonalds | Columbus, OH

    McDonalds

    McDonalds | Columbus, OH

    McDonald’s is seeking Crew Team Members to assist with daily restaurant operations including customer service, food preparation, and maintaining restaurant... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President Strategic Solutions&Delivery

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Strategic Solutions & Delivery. About the Company. Innovative provider of cost containment technology & case management services. Industry.... more

    5 Days Ago

  • The Curare Group, Inc | Columbus, OH

    Pediatrics Physician

    The Curare Group, Inc | Columbus, OH

    Hospital is seeking a Board Certified/Board Eligible Pediatrician to join a well-respected and growing practice located an hour from Columbus. Only Pediatr... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President Internal Communications

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    21 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Local CDL

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    26 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President Credit Risk Strategy&Data Science

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    26 Days Ago

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FAQ about Higher Education Administration

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Higher Education Administration?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for Higher Education Administration roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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