College Administrator Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
To become a college administrator a bachelors degree is required. Usually a background in teaching for a considerable number of years is required. A degree in education or a PhD is necessary and computer literacy is desired. An advanced degree in administration in education also helps. Proficiency in accounts and finance invariably proves helpful in handling finance related work and handling records.
Training and Education
You'll generally want a bachelor's or higher degree, plus work experience for this career path. Of current college administrators, 78% graduated from college with degrees. Some 15% of workers attened college but did not go on to get a bachelor's degree. A high school education was sufficient for 6% of employees.
Job Overview
Colleges and educational institutions need college administrators in order to function successfully. They provide leadership and manage the educational institutions on a daily basis. Education is the cornerstone for the successful development of a sharp and capable individual and many new educational institutions are coming up every year..
Job Requirements
Most states requires a license in order to become a college administrator, although the requirements for licensure vary from state to state. Training is also recommended and sometimes necessary.
To ensure that college administrators update their skills at regular intervals, continuing education is also required. The Child Development Associate credential, which is sponsored by the Council for Professional Recognition, is required by the directors of the institutions.
Apart from possessing the academic qualifications , an aspirant also needs to have determination, strong management and interpersonal skills and operational knowledge of computers. Decision making ability and the ability to organize and co-ordinate are essential skills required in order to become a successful college administrator.
Nature of Work
College administrators in educational institutions have many responsibilities. They make decisions regarding tenures, arrive at figures for budgets, lay down programs and policies for academics, appoint faculties and instruct and co-ordinate activities of each college. Departments heads also interview and hire new recruits for teaching positions, propose budgets, assess the performance of faculty members and perform other functions.
College administrators not only have to look after the administration of the institution, but also interact with the teachers, parents and students. A college administrator has to work for forty hours a week on average. They also have to see that their institutions meet the guidelines set by the government for teacher and student performance.
Area Job Conditions
Finding college administrators is easiest in Ithaca (New York), Raleigh (North Carolina), and Brockton (Massachusetts), and by comparison more challenging in York (Pennsylvania), West Palm Beach (Florida), and Tampa (Florida).
The pay is best in Albuquerque (New Mexico), Lubbock (Texas), and Hartford (Connecticut) and worst in Erie (Pennsylvania), Asheville (North Carolina), and Rockford (Illinois).
Part-Time and Self Employment
College administrators working part-time accounted for 8% of those employed in 2008. Self-employed workers represent an estimated 3% of the total.
Career Videos
College Administrators by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $142,000 | 170 | +539% |
| Birmingham | $104,000 | 440 | +29% |
| Huntsville | $78,000 | 220 | +57% |
| Mobile | $116,000 | 220 | +87% |
| Montgomery | $96,000 | 120 | +10% |
| Tuscaloosa | $107,000 | 220 | +280% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $103,000 | 2,050 | +67% |
| Prescott | $72,000 | 100 | +202% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $108,000 | 150 | +9% |
| Little Rock | $95,000 | 210 | -12% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $107,000 | 60 | -66% |
| Fresno | $115,000 | 220 | +0% |
| Los Angeles | $101,000 | 2,760 | -3% |
| Modesto | $101,000 | 50 | -52% |
| Oakland | $100,000 | 860 | +24% |
| Oxnard | $100,000 | 70 | -66% |
| Riverside | $100,000 | 450 | -46% |
| Sacramento | $96,000 | 560 | -7% |
| Salinas | $105,000 | 40 | -62% |
| San Diego | $111,000 | 960 | +5% |
| San Francisco | $94,000 | 770 | +11% |
| San Jose | $100,000 | 350 | -44% |
| Santa Ana | $99,000 | 720 | -29% |
| Santa Barbara | $103,000 | 180 | +61% |
| Santa Rosa | 30 | -74% | |
| Stockton | $96,000 | 150 | +6% |
| Vallejo | $84,000 | 50 | -36% |
| Visalia | $115,000 | 50 | -44% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | 170 | +67% | |
| Denver | $102,000 | 840 | -4% |
| Pueblo | $72,000 | 80 | +128% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $80,000 | 250 | -15% |
| Hartford | $101,000 | 900 | +126% |
| New Haven | $105,000 | 660 | +255% |
| Norwich | $121,000 | 70 | -13% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $102,000 | 250 | +12% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $87,000 | 2,460 | +45% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $98,000 | 30 | -77% |
| Deltona | $103,000 | 50 | -51% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $126,000 | 190 | -61% |
| Jacksonville | $104,000 | 50 | -88% |
| Miami | $96,000 | 180 | -74% |
| Orlando | $94,000 | 140 | -80% |
| Palm Bay | $85,000 | 40 | -70% |
| Tampa | $109,000 | 170 | -79% |
| West Palm Beach | $100,000 | 140 | -61% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $78,000 | 30 | -22% |
| Atlanta | $101,000 | 2,360 | +46% |
| Augusta | 180 | +30% | |
| Gainesville | $77,000 | 30 | -31% |
| Macon | $92,000 | 140 | +141% |
| Rome | $73,000 | 30 | +46% |
| Savannah | $106,000 | 360 | +263% |
| Valdosta | $88,000 | 50 | +66% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $112,000 | 220 | -28% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $98,000 | 2,040 | -23% |
| Peoria | $77,000 | 60 | -47% |
| Rockford | $54,000 | 110 | +18% |
| Springfield | $81,000 | 50 | -29% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | $73,000 | 100 | -13% |
| Gary | $83,000 | 200 | +9% |
| Indianapolis | $65,000 | 480 | -23% |
| Terre Haute | $79,000 | 80 | +87% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $62,000 | 160 | +74% |
| Davenport | $70,000 | 130 | +4% |
| Des Moines | $87,000 | 240 | +6% |
| Sioux City | $76,000 | 50 | +9% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | $78,000 | 230 | +17% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $106,000 | 260 | +59% |
| Louisville | $105,000 | 300 | -29% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $65,000 | 60 | +50% |
| Baton Rouge | $89,000 | 380 | +48% |
| Monroe | $52,000 | 120 | +148% |
| New Orleans | $95,000 | 770 | +110% |
| Shreveport | $75,000 | 140 | +16% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $75,000 | 130 | +241% |
| Portland | $82,000 | 160 | +18% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $96,000 | 1,410 | +54% |
| Cumberland | $60,000 | 50 | +130% |
| Salisbury | $104,000 | 40 | +22% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $114,000 | 3,430 | +182% |
| Brockton | $84,000 | 330 | +470% |
| Peabody | $82,000 | 240 | +264% |
| Springfield | $92,000 | 640 | +214% |
| Worcester | $97,000 | 480 | +180% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek | $78,000 | 50 | +58% |
| Detroit | $116,000 | 730 | +57% |
| Flint | $83,000 | 230 | +168% |
| Grand Rapids | $111,000 | 270 | +4% |
| Kalamazoo | $107,000 | 100 | +11% |
| Lansing | 310 | +132% | |
| Niles | $79,000 | 140 | +291% |
| Warren | $85,000 | 500 | -34% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $82,000 | 190 | +122% |
| Minneapolis | $76,000 | 1,430 | +15% |
| Rochester | 50 | -25% | |
| St Cloud | $77,000 | 130 | +110% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $83,000 | 90 | +29% |
| Jackson | $67,000 | 290 | +68% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $76,000 | 50 | +87% |
| Jefferson City | $72,000 | 30 | -36% |
| Kansas City | $82,000 | 710 | +0% |
| Springfield | $86,000 | 180 | +40% |
| St Louis | $89,000 | 800 | -14% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $99,000 | 260 | +143% |
| Omaha | $80,000 | 340 | +4% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $100,000 | 260 | -56% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $72,000 | 140 | +108% |
| Nashua | $76,000 | 50 | -45% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $129,000 | 90 | -6% |
| Camden | $119,000 | 170 | -53% |
| Edison | $126,000 | 380 | -47% |
| Newark | $124,000 | 620 | -11% |
| Trenton | $116,000 | 290 | +88% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $132,000 | 230 | -13% |
| Santa Fe | $79,000 | 60 | +55% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $106,000 | 510 | +63% |
| Binghamton | $95,000 | 90 | +22% |
| Buffalo | $93,000 | 390 | +2% |
| Ithaca | $120,000 | 150 | +514% |
| Nassau | $98,000 | 600 | -32% |
| New York | $113,000 | 4,610 | +26% |
| Poughkeepsie | $95,000 | 380 | +126% |
| Rochester | $116,000 | 420 | +20% |
| Syracuse | $104,000 | 210 | -2% |
| Utica | $82,000 | 120 | +46% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $69,000 | 170 | +43% |
| Charlotte | $74,000 | 800 | +34% |
| Durham | $113,000 | 850 | +351% |
| Fayetteville | $88,000 | 80 | -4% |
| Greensboro | $91,000 | 460 | +88% |
| Hickory | $68,000 | 120 | +23% |
| Raleigh | $94,000 | 1,690 | +372% |
| Rocky Mount | $58,000 | 50 | +40% |
| Wilmington | $93,000 | 150 | +66% |
| Winston Salem | $105,000 | 300 | +110% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $103,000 | 220 | 0% |
| Canton | $78,000 | 120 | +8% |
| Cincinnati | $89,000 | 420 | -41% |
| Cleveland | $94,000 | 520 | -27% |
| Columbus | $124,000 | 670 | +4% |
| Dayton | $113,000 | 230 | -13% |
| Lima | $82,000 | 40 | +25% |
| Toledo | $107,000 | 190 | -6% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $95,000 | 340 | -15% |
| Tulsa | $64,000 | 220 | -26% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medford | $93,000 | 40 | -19% |
| Portland | $94,000 | 760 | +6% |
| Salem | $86,000 | 120 | +21% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $82,000 | 370 | +55% |
| Erie | $81,000 | 110 | +30% |
| Harrisburg | $100,000 | 290 | +32% |
| Lancaster | $76,000 | 100 | -37% |
| Philadelphia | $115,000 | 2,490 | +86% |
| Pittsburgh | $86,000 | 1,380 | +72% |
| Scranton | $88,000 | 200 | +12% |
| York | $74,000 | 40 | -66% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $101,000 | 650 | +68% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $90,000 | 120 | -39% |
| Columbia | $93,000 | 260 | +8% |
| Greenville | $90,000 | 630 | +207% |
| Myrtle Beach | $76,000 | 100 | +41% |
| Spartanburg | $68,000 | 40 | -47% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $79,000 | 40 | -57% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $77,000 | 110 | -29% |
| Jackson | $66,000 | 40 | +10% |
| Kingsport | $92,000 | 70 | -12% |
| Knoxville | 340 | +48% | |
| Memphis | $92,000 | 550 | +28% |
| Nashville | $88,000 | 640 | +24% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $86,000 | 40 | +2% |
| Beaumont | $112,000 | 50 | -54% |
| Brownsville | $96,000 | 40 | -53% |
| College Station | $96,000 | 670 | +1027% |
| Corpus Christi | $109,000 | 60 | -50% |
| Dallas | $87,000 | 1,090 | -26% |
| Fort Worth | $99,000 | 340 | -44% |
| Killeen | $82,000 | 140 | +65% |
| Longview | $70,000 | 50 | -19% |
| Mcallen | $83,000 | 80 | -49% |
| Odessa | 60 | +72% | |
| San Antonio | $95,000 | 550 | -10% |
| Waco | $76,000 | 180 | +178% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $89,000 | 80 | -40% |
| Provo | $74,000 | 430 | +277% |
| Salt Lake City | $108,000 | 290 | -31% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danville | $85,000 | 40 | +98% |
| Lynchburg | $69,000 | 70 | +9% |
| Richmond | $97,000 | 440 | +3% |
| Roanoke | $111,000 | 50 | -52% |
| Virginia Beach | $97,000 | 730 | +38% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $100,000 | 960 | -2% |
| Spokane | $92,000 | 210 | +52% |
| Tacoma | $79,000 | 180 | 0% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $68,000 | 90 | -7% |
| Parkersburg | $68,000 | 40 | -7% |
| Wheeling | $65,000 | 70 | +72% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire | $71,000 | 140 | +199% |
| Green Bay | $86,000 | 100 | -11% |
| Janesville | $52,000 | 60 | +52% |
| La Crosse | $82,000 | 110 | +143% |
| Madison | $100,000 | 630 | +171% |
| Milwaukee | $94,000 | 740 | +28% |