Postsecondary Education Administrators
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Postsecondary Education Administrators in the United States earn a median salary of $104,590 per year — about $50 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 227K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +2%.
AI & Automation Risk
This occupation is heavily centered on digital information processing, including reviewing applications, analyzing student data, managing budgets, and maintaining academic records—all tasks where AI can significantly increase productivity or automate routine workflows. While roles like deans and student affairs officers require high-level human judgment and interpersonal relationship management, the underlying administrative and analytical work is highly susceptible to AI integration and restructuring.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SCBEST VALUE | $177,150 | Below avg (91.2) | $194,150 |
| Binghamton, NY | $166,660 | Below avg (92.1) | $180,975 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $158,720 | Below avg (93.0) | $170,619 |
| Yakima, WA | $166,310 | Average (97.9) | $169,874 |
| Merced, CA | $165,620 | Average (99.6) | $166,255 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $141,700 | Below avg (91.5) | $154,923 |
| Lawrence, KS | $140,710 | Below avg (90.9) | $154,761 |
| Visalia, CA | $156,010 | Average (101.5) | $153,735 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $172,410 | Above avg (112.8) | $152,881 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $138,670 | Below avg (93.2) | $148,800 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $137,250 | Below avg (92.5) | $148,377 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $144,340 | Average (98.2) | $147,061 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $131,880 | Below avg (89.9) | $146,771 |
| Appleton, WI | $135,690 | Below avg (93.7) | $144,758 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $134,270 | Below avg (93.5) | $143,577 |