All careers › Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
Superintendent and school administrator: pay, outlook and how to enter the field
- $76,280lowest 10% earn less
- $86,04025th percentile
- $105,870median
- $134,63075th percentile
- $167,770top 10% earn more
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary earned a median of $105,870 a year in May 2025[1]. The typical path calls for a master's degree and five years or more of related experience[2].
How much do school administrators make?
The BLS category is Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary. It covers jobs such as principal and school superintendent[7]. In May 2025, the median wage was $105,870 a year[1]. Half earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $116,100 a year[8]. For all occupations in the US, the median annual wage was $50,980[4].
BLS publishes only annual wages for this group. Many of these workers are paid yearly but work fewer than 2,080 hours, so there is no hourly figure[9].
Here are the annual percentile wages[3]:
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th[3] | $76,280 |
| 25th[3] | $86,040 |
| 50th (median)[1] | $105,870 |
| 75th[3] | $134,630 |
| 90th[3] | $167,770 |
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $76,280, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $167,770[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].
These numbers cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses not tied to production, and the cost of benefits[11]. About 328,330 people held these jobs in May 2025[12].
Pay by state and city
Washington had the highest state median at $166,590[13]. California came second at $159,950 and Connecticut third at $156,240[13].
Texas had the most jobs at 37,140[14]. California had 31,370, New York 19,210, Florida 16,960 and Illinois 14,850[14]. Texas had a median of $93,910[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue had the highest median at $174,260[15]. Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT followed at $171,910, then Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA at $170,970[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 20,920, with a median of $163,210[16].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Washington[13] | $166,590 | 6,470 |
| California | $159,950 | 31,370 |
| Connecticut | $156,240 | 4,610 |
| New York | $138,830 | 19,210 |
| District of Columbia | $137,470 | 1,930 |
| New Jersey | $137,440 | 11,450 |
| Delaware | $132,710 | 1,100 |
| Maryland | $131,510 | 7,200 |
| Oregon | $130,050 | 4,160 |
| Utah | $128,880 | 2,940 |
| Massachusetts | $128,430 | 10,570 |
| Minnesota | $127,000 | 4,120 |
| Hawaii | $126,760 | 1,910 |
| Alaska | $125,520 | 890 |
| Rhode Island | $119,980 | 1,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $118,710 | 14,460 |
| Wisconsin | $117,010 | 4,030 |
| Illinois | $113,360 | 14,850 |
| Nebraska | $110,580 | 1,860 |
| Colorado | $110,530 | 5,760 |
| Nevada | $109,420 | 2,490 |
| North Dakota | $107,940 | 810 |
| New Mexico | $107,720 | 2,290 |
| Virginia | $106,100 | 8,470 |
| Wyoming | $105,480 | 410 |
| Vermont | $105,350 | 1,000 |
| New Hampshire | $104,910 | 1,590 |
| Iowa | $104,260 | 3,310 |
| Michigan | $104,020 | 9,610 |
| Georgia | $103,360 | 7,530 |
| Maine | $102,890 | 1,710 |
| South Carolina | $102,440 | 5,000 |
| Idaho | $101,090 | 1,830 |
| Kansas | $100,530 | 2,520 |
| Missouri | $100,400 | 7,120 |
| Kentucky | $99,920 | 4,940 |
| Ohio | $99,590 | 12,480 |
| Indiana | $98,770 | 6,990 |
| Tennessee | $97,590 | 6,180 |
| Alabama | $97,480 | 3,020 |
| Arizona | $97,480 | 5,270 |
| Florida | $96,490 | 16,960 |
| Montana | $95,700 | 930 |
| Texas | $93,910 | 37,140 |
| South Dakota | $88,390 | 680 |
| Oklahoma | $86,630 | 4,320 |
| Arkansas | $86,330 | 2,760 |
| Louisiana | $83,360 | 5,080 |
| North Carolina | $83,180 | 11,220 |
| Mississippi | $82,800 | 3,170 |
| West Virginia | $80,650 | 1,480 |
How to become a school administrator
BLS lists a master's degree and five years or more of related work experience for entry, with no on-the-job training[2]. The training details below come from a BLS profile of elementary, middle and high school principals, which is one part of this wider group[17].
- First: earn a bachelor's degree in education, counseling or a related field, which candidates typically need to enter a master's program[18].
- Next: gain several years of teaching experience[19].
- Then: complete a master's degree in education leadership or administration. These programs teach staff management, budgeting, goal setting and working with parents and the community[18].
- Last: check licensing. In most states, public school principals must hold a school administrator license, and requirements vary by state[20]. Some states have alternative programs for people without the usual master's degree[20]. Private school principals do not need a state-issued license[21].
A person can also move up. An assistant principal can become a principal, and some principals become superintendents or other administrators, which may take more education[22].
BLS names these useful qualities for principals[23][24][25][26][27][28]:
- Communication, including listening to students and teachers.
- Critical thinking, such as reviewing test results.
- Decision-making, since principals answer for students, staff and school operations.
- Interpersonal skills, to build working relationships with teachers, parents and superintendents.
- Leadership, to set goals and motivate staff.
- Problem-solving, to handle issues staff and students report.
What school administrators do
These administrators plan, direct or coordinate the academic, administrative or support activities of schools[29]. O*NET lists tasks such as these[30]:
- Counsel students on personal, academic, career or behavior issues.
- Meet with parents and staff about school activities, policies and student problems.
- Observe teaching and review learning materials to find areas to improve.
- Decide which programs to offer and draft schedules and course descriptions.
- Enforce discipline and attendance rules.
- Recruit, hire, train and evaluate staff.
- Set educational standards and goals with teachers and help set policies.
- Plan and lead professional development for teachers and staff.
Workers report titles such as athletic director, curriculum director, elementary principal, middle school principal and school superintendent[7].
Where they work
BLS reports that 74% of principals worked in local elementary and secondary schools in 2025[31]. Full-time schedules are the norm for principals, and some put in more than 40 hours a week[32]. Evening or weekend work may come up for meetings with parents and for school events[32]. Principals typically work year round, including summers, when they handle tasks such as ordering supplies and hiring staff[33]. BLS notes that the job can be demanding and sometimes stressful, because principals are accountable for their school's performance and staff qualifications[34].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment in this category to fall 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 343,800 to 342,700 jobs[5]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[35]. Even so, about 20,600 openings are projected each year, on average[6]. Those openings include jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, as well as new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.2% of workers leave the labor force and 3.8% move to a different occupation[36]. Only 1.4% were self-employed in 2025[37].
Is it a good fit?
The facts suggest this field suits people who already work in schools and are ready for more study. Entry typically needs a master's degree and five years or more of related experience[2]. Pay is well above the all-occupations median[1][4]. Total jobs are projected to dip slightly, but openings continue from turnover[5][6]. The work can be demanding, and some principals work more than 40 hours a week[34][32].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a school superintendent or principal make?
- BLS reports one median for the whole category of Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary: $105,870 a year in May 2025[1].
- What degree do you need to be a principal?
- BLS says principals typically need a master's degree in education leadership or administration, plus teaching experience[18][19].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary in the US was $105,870 per year. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: 5 years or more; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary: 10th percentile $76,280, 25th percentile $86,040, 75th percentile $134,630, 90th percentile $167,770. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary is projected to decline 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 343,800 to 342,700 jobs (a change of -1,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 20,600 openings for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- O*NET 11-9032.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Athletic Director, Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent, Curriculum Director, Elementary Principal, K-12 Principal (Kindergarten Through Twelfth Grade Principal), MS Principal (Middle School Principal), School Administrator (School Admin), School Superintendent. O*NET OnLine
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary was $116,100 per year. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS publishes only annual wages for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary, not hourly wages, because many work fewer than 2,080 hours a year but are paid yearly. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 328,330 people were employed as Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary jobs: Texas 37,140; California 31,370; New York 19,210; Florida 16,960; Illinois 14,850. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $174,260; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $171,910; Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $170,970; Bellingham, WA $169,470; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $168,540; Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $166,910; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $165,520; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $163,210. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 20,920 (median $163,210); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 11,050 (median $128,780); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 10,310 (median $161,590); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 9,190 (median $101,450); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 8,370 (median $99,640); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 7,890 (median $129,130). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of elementary, middle, and high school principals in 2025: Elementary and secondary schools; local 74%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary: 2.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: 1.4% of Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.