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Dean: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $64,560lowest 10% earn less
- $80,87025th percentile
- $104,590median
- $144,37075th percentile
- $215,620top 10% earn more
Postsecondary education administrators, the BLS group that includes deans, had a median pay of $104,590 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035[2].
How much do deans make?
The median pay for postsecondary education administrators was $104,590 a year, or $50.29 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The mean (average) was $126,540 a year, or $60.84 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[4].
Pay spreads widely. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $64,560 a year, and the 25th percentile was $80,870[3]. The 75th percentile was $144,370 and the 90th percentile was $215,620[3]. Hourly, the 10th percentile was $31.04 and the 90th percentile was $103.66[8]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
| Measure | Annual wage | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3] | $64,560 | |
| 25th percentile[3] | $80,870 | |
| Median[1] | $104,590 | |
| 75th percentile[3] | $144,370 | |
| 90th percentile[3] | $215,620 |
These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10]. About 180,470 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].
Pay by state and city
Among 50 states and DC with published data, New York had the highest median at $139,640[12]. New Jersey followed at $131,570 and Massachusetts at $128,970[12]. The lowest median in the list was Arkansas at $78,240[12].
Texas had the most jobs at 16,660, then California with 14,870, Illinois with 9,530, Massachusetts with 9,120 and Pennsylvania with 8,000[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC had the highest median at $177,150[14]. Lansing-East Lansing, MI ($158,720) and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($154,140) came next[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area had the most jobs at 7,550, followed by Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH at 6,770[15].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| New York[12] | $139,640 | 7,280 |
| New Jersey | $131,570 | 4,100 |
| Massachusetts | $128,970 | 9,120 |
| Delaware | $128,570 | 360 |
| Wyoming | $127,960 | 120 |
| Washington | $127,630 | 2,140 |
| South Dakota | $126,160 | 240 |
| California | $125,460 | 14,870 |
| Wisconsin | $124,960 | 1,190 |
| Connecticut | $123,190 | 2,100 |
| Virginia | $120,840 | n/a |
| Oregon | $120,110 | 2,790 |
| Maryland | $118,550 | n/a |
| Colorado | $118,440 | 1,770 |
| Kentucky | $114,310 | 890 |
| Georgia | $110,200 | 2,890 |
| Kansas | $110,020 | 1,760 |
| New Mexico | $109,480 | 1,160 |
| Michigan | $108,500 | 5,110 |
| District of Columbia | $107,390 | 1,880 |
| Rhode Island | $106,520 | 1,140 |
| Oklahoma | $105,830 | 1,700 |
| Minnesota | $104,740 | 2,110 |
| Missouri | $104,560 | 2,830 |
| Vermont | $104,450 | 550 |
| Texas | $104,390 | 16,660 |
| New Hampshire | $104,190 | 920 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,740 | 8,000 |
| Arizona | $103,280 | 5,140 |
| Alaska | $103,080 | 80 |
| Montana | $102,980 | 300 |
| North Dakota | $101,600 | 600 |
| Idaho | $101,200 | 870 |
| North Carolina | $101,060 | 7,390 |
| Tennessee | $100,850 | 2,680 |
| Utah | $100,420 | 2,320 |
| Alabama | $100,030 | 3,760 |
| Illinois | $99,770 | 9,530 |
| Louisiana | $98,840 | 3,670 |
| Indiana | $98,000 | 3,370 |
| Nebraska | $96,030 | 1,560 |
| South Carolina | $95,570 | 2,990 |
| Iowa | $89,320 | 2,510 |
| Nevada | $88,810 | 1,320 |
| Maine | $88,180 | 860 |
| Ohio | $87,370 | 6,880 |
| Mississippi | $86,590 | 2,230 |
| West Virginia | $84,660 | 1,520 |
| Florida | $83,840 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $81,020 | 570 |
| Arkansas | $78,240 | 1,970 |
How to become a dean
The typical entry education is a master's degree, with less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation and no on-the-job training[6]. Degrees can be in fields such as education, business or social science[16].
- First: earn a master's degree. A bachelor's degree may be enough at small colleges and universities[16].
- Next: gain experience in a college administrative setting. Employers typically prefer several years of it, though some jobs, such as admissions and student affairs, may not need it[17]. Some people start in the registrar's office or as a resident assistant while in college[17].
- Then: provosts and deans often must have a Ph.D. Some people start as professors and move into administration[18].
In an O*NET survey of 40 workers, 48% said a master's degree was required, 37% said a doctorate, 8% said a bachelor's degree and 7% said post-doctoral training[19].
With advanced degrees, administrators may move up within a department or the college, and some become college presidents[20].
What deans and other administrators do
These administrators plan, direct and coordinate student instruction, services and research at colleges, universities and community colleges[21]. Common tasks include:
- Designing or using assessments to track student learning[22].
- Hiring, training and supervising department staff[22].
- Advising students on course choices, progress toward graduation and careers[22].
- Planning budgets and producing financial reports[22].
- Setting strategic plans and operating policies[22].
- Helping faculty and staff with orientation, transcripts and event scheduling[22].
- Representing the institution at events, meetings and accreditation processes[22].
- Preparing reports on academic or institutional data[22].
Job titles reported by workers include academic dean, provost, admissions director and financial aid director[23]. Useful skills include computer skills, interpersonal skills, organization and problem solving[24][25][26][27].
Where they work
Colleges, universities and professional schools run by states were the largest employer, at 40% of jobs in 2025[28]. Administrators generally work full time. Most work year-round, though some cut back their hours in summer[29].
Job outlook
Employment is projected to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 231,800 to 235,900 jobs[2]. That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations[30]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2]. About 2.5% of postsecondary education administrators were self-employed in 2025[31].
About 14,500 openings a year are projected on average[5]. Openings include jobs left by workers who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.2% of workers leave the labor force and 3.8% move to a different occupation[32].
Is it a good fit?
The median pay is about double the all-occupation median, and the range is wide, from $64,560 at the 10th percentile to $215,620 at the 90th[1][3][4]. The typical entry education is a master's degree, plus some related experience, and some senior roles often call for a Ph.D.[6][18]. Growth is slower than average, but about 14,500 openings a year are projected[2][30][5]. The facts here do not cover tuition, program quality or how long a promotion takes.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a dean make a year?
- Postsecondary education administrators, the BLS group that includes deans, had a median pay of $104,590 a year in May 2025[1].
- How much do postsecondary education administrators make an hour?
- The median was $50.29 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $60.84[1][7].
- What degree do you need to be a dean?
- The typical entry education is a master's degree[6]. Provosts and deans often must have a Ph.D.[18].
- Are college administrator jobs in demand?
- Jobs are projected to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 14,500 openings a year[2][30][5].
- What is the highest paying state for education administrators?
- New York had the highest median at $139,640, ahead of New Jersey at $131,570[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Education Administrators, Postsecondary in the US was $104,590 per year and $50.29 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Education Administrators, Postsecondary is projected to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 231,800 to 235,900 jobs (a change of +4,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Education Administrators, Postsecondary: 10th percentile $64,560, 25th percentile $80,870, 75th percentile $144,370, 90th percentile $215,620. 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: about 14,500 openings for Education Administrators, Postsecondary 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
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Education Administrators, Postsecondary: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Education Administrators, Postsecondary was $126,540 per year and $60.84 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Education Administrators, Postsecondary: 10th percentile $31.04, 25th percentile $38.88, 75th percentile $69.41, 90th percentile $103.66. 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 180,470 people were employed as Education Administrators, Postsecondary in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Education Administrators, Postsecondary 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, Postsecondary jobs: Texas 16,660; California 14,870; Illinois 9,530; Massachusetts 9,120; Pennsylvania 8,000. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Education Administrators, Postsecondary (areas with at least 100 jobs): Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $177,150; Lansing-East Lansing, MI $158,720; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $154,140; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $153,950; Ann Arbor, MI $144,340; Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN $141,700; Lawrence, KS $140,710; Rochester, NY $139,640. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Education Administrators, Postsecondary jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 7,550 (median $137,800); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 6,770 (median $131,130); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 6,270 (median $101,070); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 6,050 (median $125,230); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 4,330 (median $117,980); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 4,200 (median $125,460). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- 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: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 11-9033.00 survey of workers (40 respondents), education level they say is required: Master's Degree 48%, Doctoral Degree 37%, Bachelor's Degree 8%, Post-Doctoral Training 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Education Administrators, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Education Administrators, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 11-9033.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Academic Affairs Vice President (Academic Affairs VP), Academic Dean, Admissions Director, College President, Dean, Financial Aid Director, Institutional Research Director, Provost. O*NET OnLine
- 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
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of postsecondary education administrators in 2025: Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state 40%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. 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: 2.5% of Education Administrators, Postsecondary were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Education Administrators, Postsecondary: 2.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.8% move to a different occupation. 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.