Career Profile: Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 210,100 people employed as education administrators, postsecondary in the United States. The median annual salary is $96,910. Entry level employees earn approximately $59,150 per year and senior employees earn approximately $190,770 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Oversee facilities management for the university, including construction, repair, and maintenance projects.
• Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
• Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.
• Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff engaged in administering academic institutions, departments, or alumni organizations.
• Advise students on issues such as course selection, progress toward graduation, and career decisions.
• Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, and produce financial reports.
• Formulate strategic plans for the institution.
• Establish operational policies and procedures and make any necessary modifications, based on analysis of operations, demographics, and other research information.
• Provide assistance to faculty and staff in duties such as teaching classes, conducting orientation programs, issuing transcripts, and scheduling events.
• Represent institutions at community and campus events, in meetings with other institution personnel, and during accreditation processes.
• Prepare reports on academic or institutional data.
• Promote the university by participating in community, state, and national events or meetings, and by developing partnerships with industry and secondary education institutions.
• Participate in faculty and college committee activities.
• Direct activities of administrative departments, such as admissions, registration, and career services.
• Appoint individuals to faculty positions, and evaluate their performance.
• Develop curricula, and recommend curricula revisions and additions.
• Consult with government regulatory and licensing agencies to ensure the institution's conformance with applicable standards.
• Participate in student recruitment, selection, and admission, making admissions recommendations when required to do so.
• Determine course schedules, and coordinate teaching assignments and room assignments to ensure optimum use of buildings and equipment.
• Teach courses within their department.
• Review student misconduct reports requiring disciplinary action, and counsel students regarding such reports.
• Review registration statistics, and consult with faculty officials to develop registration policies.
• Confer with other academic staff to explain and formulate admission requirements and course credit policies.
• Direct scholarship, fellowship, and loan programs, performing activities such as selecting recipients and distributing aid.
• Direct and participate in institutional fundraising activities, and encourage alumni participation in such activities.
• Coordinate the production and dissemination of university publications, such as course catalogs and class schedules.
• Write grants to procure external funding, and supervise grant-funded projects.
• Plan and promote sporting events and social, cultural, and recreational activities.
• Audit the financial status of student organizations and facility accounts.

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