Education Administrator Career Guide

What Does an Education Administrator Do?

Education administrators (primarily school principals and assistant principals) manage the day-to-day operations of elementary, middle, and high schools. They oversee curriculum implementation, hire and evaluate teachers, manage budgets, ensure compliance with regulations, handle discipline issues, communicate with parents and the community, and create a positive learning environment. They set school-wide goals, lead professional development, and make strategic decisions about academic programs and school culture.

Education & Requirements

• Typical Education: Master's degree in educational leadership or administration (required in most states)
• Teaching Experience: Typically 5+ years of classroom teaching experience required before becoming an administrator
• Certifications: State administrative or principal license/certification required; often requires passing exams and completing administrative internship
• Key Skills: Leadership, decision-making, budgeting, personnel management, communication, conflict resolution, data analysis, instructional knowledge
• Experience: Most principals begin as assistant principals or department chairs; extensive teaching experience is essential

Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data):

• Median Annual Salary: $104,070
• Entry-Level (10th percentile): $72,400
• Experienced (90th percentile): $165,820
• Typical Pay Range: Most education administrators earn between $72,000 and $166,000 depending on school size, location, and experience level
• Benefits: Similar to teachers—strong benefits including health insurance, pension, paid time off; typically year-round position (not summers off)
• Additional Compensation: Many principals work extended contracts (11-12 months vs. 9-10 for teachers)

Job Outlook & Growth

Employment of elementary, middle, and high school principals is projected to decline by 2% from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 333,300 currently employed. The decline mirrors declining student enrollments in many regions and school consolidations. However, openings will still occur due to retirement and career changes. Job prospects may be better in growing suburban and urban districts, while rural areas may face school closures. Despite the overall decline, experienced educators seeking leadership roles will continue to find opportunities, particularly those willing to work in high-need schools or districts.

How to Break Into This Field

1. Teaching Experience: Spend 5+ years as a successful classroom teacher. Build a strong track record of student achievement, innovative instruction, and collaborative work with colleagues.
2. Graduate Education: Earn a master's degree in educational leadership, administration, or a related field. Many universities offer evening/weekend programs for working teachers.
3. Get Licensed: Complete your state's administrative certification requirements, which typically include coursework, an internship/practicum, and passing exams (like the School Leaders Licensure Assessment).
4. Build Leadership Skills: Take on leadership roles as a teacher: department chair, grade-level team lead, committee chair, mentor teacher, instructional coach. These demonstrate readiness for administration.
5. Start as Assistant Principal: Most principals begin as assistant principals (APs) to gain experience with discipline, operations, and administrative duties before leading a school.
6. Network: Join organizations like the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) or National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Attend leadership conferences and workshops.
7. Apply Strategically: Look for AP positions first, especially in larger schools. Once you have 2-3 years of AP experience, you'll be competitive for principal roles.

Career Path & Advancement

The typical path is: Classroom Teacher → Teacher Leader/Department Chair → Assistant Principal → Principal → (optionally) Assistant Superintendent → Superintendent. Some principals move to larger schools with higher salaries, while others transition to central office roles like curriculum director, director of special education, or human resources. At the district level, superintendents earn significantly more ($150,000-$300,000+) but face intense political pressure. Some education administrators move to educational consulting, education policy organizations, or private sector education companies.

Pros & Cons

Related Careers

If you're interested in Education Administrator, you might also consider:

• Postsecondary Education Administrator: Work at colleges/universities in admissions, student affairs, or academic departments ($103,960 median salary)
• Instructional Coordinator: Develop curricula and train teachers without the full administrative burden ($70,900 median salary)
• School Counselor: Support students academically and socially with less administrative pressure ($63,960 median salary)
• Training and Development Manager: Corporate training and development leadership ($129,600 median salary)
• Human Resources Manager: Personnel management in business settings ($140,030 median salary)
• Educational Consultant: Advise schools and districts on improvement strategies (variable pay, often contract-based)