Work Environment

Postsecondary education administrators held about 178,800 jobs in 2020. The largest employers of postsecondary education administrators were as follows:

• Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private - 79%
• Junior colleges; state, local, and private - 13%

Work Schedules

Postsecondary education administrators generally work full time. Most work year-round, but some administrators may reduce their hours during the summer.

Job Outlook

Employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 14,500 openings for postsecondary education administrators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Employment growth in the occupation is tied to student enrollments at colleges and universities.

People will continue to seek postsecondary education to accomplish their career goals. As more people enter colleges and universities, more postsecondary education administrators will be needed to serve the needs of these additional students.

Additional admissions officers will be needed to process students’ applications. Registrars will be needed to direct student registration for classes and ensure that they meet graduation requirements. Student affairs workers will be needed to make housing assignments and plan events for students.

Provosts and academic dean positions will be limited, since there is typically a set number of these positions per institution.

Despite expected increases in enrollment, employment growth in public colleges and universities will depend on state and local government budgets. If there is a budget deficit, postsecondary institutions may lay off employees, including administrators. If there is a budget surplus, postsecondary institutions may hire more employees.

Earnings

The median annual wage for postsecondary education administrators was $96,910 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,150, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $190,770.

In May 2021, the median annual wages for postsecondary education administrators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

• Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private - $98,180
• Junior colleges; state, local, and private - $94,120

As part of their employee benefits plan, many colleges and universities allow full-time employees to attend classes at a discount or for free.

Postsecondary education administrators generally work full time. Most work year-round, but some schools may reduce their hours during the summer.