How long does the training take?

Typically about six years of study in total, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do education administrators, postsecondary make?

The US median is $104,590 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.

Where can you train for this work?

851 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Education administrators, postsecondary: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Management · SOC 11-9033

$104,590US median pay, 2025

+1.8%Projected growth, 2025–35

14,500Openings per year

Degree + experienceUsual way in

How you get in

Not an entry-level job: it usually takes a degree plus years of related work.

Master's degree
Less than 5 years of experience in a related job
Work in: education administrators, postsecondary

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Educational Leadership and Administration, General	CIP 13.0401	696
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration	CIP 13.0406	249
Nursing Education	CIP 51.3203	165
Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision	CIP 13.0404	74
Community College Administration	CIP 13.0407	30
Clinical Research Coordinator	CIP 51.0719	17
Health Professions Education	CIP 51.3202	12
International School Administration/Leadership	CIP 13.0412	3
Research Administration	CIP 52.0214	0
Medical Education Fellowship Program	CIP 61.0207	0
Simulation Fellowship Program	CIP 61.0211	0

See the 851 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about six years of study in total, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do education administrators, postsecondary make?: The US median is $104,590 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.
Where can you train for this work?: 851 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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