How to Become a School Administrator
A school administrator is a certified education leader, most often a principal or vice principal, who runs a school's daily operations, staffing, and curriculum decisions. A common path into the role includes a teaching license, classroom experience, and a graduate degree in educational leadership, but the exact requirements, credential type, and licensing exam vary by state.
"A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be." - Rosalynn Carter
A school administrator carries the weight of decisions a classroom teacher never has to make: whose contract gets renewed, which curriculum the building adopts, how a crisis gets handled by 8 a.m. Many people who take on the role spent years teaching first, then moved into leadership through a graduate program and a state credentialing process, though the specific path depends on the state and the credential, and it's one of many teaching and education roles a career in schools can lead to. Here's what that commonly involves, what the job pays, and where to find it.
Qualities of a School Administrator
The job calls for someone who can set a curriculum, run professional development, build master schedules, and mentor staff, while still handling the clerical work that keeps a building running. Good administrators delegate without losing track of what's happening in their own school, and they stay calm when something goes wrong at 7 a.m. and needs an answer by 7:15.
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a School Administrator?
Becoming a certified school administrator starts the same way becoming a teacher does, then adds several years and a second license on top.
Teaching Certificate
Some state administrator credentials require prior educator licensure and/or specified education experience. Where a teaching credential is required, it typically means a state-approved teacher preparation program covering classroom management, developmental coursework, and subject- or grade-specific methods. Check your state educator-licensing agency for the specific pathway your credential requires.
Qualifying Experience
Experience requirements differ by state and by credential, and may call for classroom teaching, other educational experience, or administrative experience rather than classroom teaching specifically. Some programs also include shadowing a principal during graduate coursework. Exactly how much experience counts, and in what form, is set by your state educator-licensing agency, not the district.
Graduate Preparation
Many administrator credentials require graduate-level preparation, but the required degree, coursework, preparation program, and field experience vary by state and credential. Some administrators go on to a doctoral degree, but that's a step beyond initial licensure, not a requirement for it. Check your state educator-licensing agency's page for the specific degree and coursework it will accept before enrolling in a program.
Administrator Assessment
Some states and credentials require a school-leadership assessment, and both the required assessment and the qualifying score vary by jurisdiction. Praxis Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision (5412) is one example some states accept, though ETS itself tells candidates to confirm their certifying state accepts it before registering. Other jurisdictions use the SLLA (6990), a different state-specific assessment, or no standardized test at all. Confirm the required assessment and qualifying score with your state educator-licensing agency before you register.
Find Information About Becoming a Teacher In Your State
Each state has different requirements for becoming a certified teacher. To find out specific requirements, click on your state.
School Administrator by Degree Level
The tables and charts below break down the education level obtained as averaged across the U.S.
| Degree Level | Percent (%) |
|---|---|
| Less Than High School Diploma | 0.7% |
| High School Diploma | 5.1% |
| Some College | 9.0% |
| Associate Degree | 5.0% |
| Bachelors Degree | 22.0% |
| Masters Degree | 44.7% |
| Doctorate Degree | 13.5% |
Data taken from BLS Educational attainment for workers 25 years and older by detailed occupation, 2010-11 (http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_111.htm)
What Does a School Administrator Do?
Day to day, a school administrator's title determines the exact scope: principal, vice principal, instructional supervisor, or another leadership role the school defines. Across all of them, the job centers on discipline and school order, master scheduling, and teacher hiring, evaluation, and in some cases firing.
The role also means representing the school at board meetings, community events, and ongoing professional development, on top of the daily work inside the building. Administrators need to be direct with staff and diplomatic with parents and students, often in the same afternoon. Most work from an office near the school's main entrance, so they stay reachable throughout the day.
What Does a School Administrator Do in a District Leadership Role?
A school administrator's responsibilities expand at the district level, in roles like superintendent, assistant superintendent, or central-office supervisor. These roles can carry different preparation, experience, and assessment requirements than a building-level principal credential, set separately by each state's educator-licensing agency. District-level work generally centers on setting district strategy, managing the budget, evaluating whether programs are working for students, and negotiating with staff unions, rather than day-to-day building operations.
Where Can Certified School Administrators Work?
A certified school administrator can work as a principal, vice principal, instructional supervisor, or administrator at the elementary, middle, or high school level. Schools may be public, private, or charter. Administrative credential types and the specific positions they authorize vary by state, so which of those roles are open to you depends on which credential you hold and where.
Public Schools
A public school administrator has to make sure the state's curriculum is being taught as required, and carries the burden of meeting state standards for the building. Public schools also serve a more diverse student population and typically enroll more students than private alternatives, since they're free to attend.
Private Schools and Charter Schools
Private and charter schools are more likely to formally title someone "school administrator," though most of the requirements mirror a public school principal's. Both tend to be smaller than public schools and have more control over admissions and curriculum, though state standards still apply each year. Private schools charge tuition and may require affiliation with a particular religion or organization. Because they aren't publicly funded, they also don't risk losing funding if a state standard isn't met, the way a public school does.
School Administrator Organizations and Associations
The American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA) supports professional development for HR leaders working in schools, with resources aimed at school-specific hiring and personnel practice. The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) is the national labor union representing school administrators, professionals, and supervisors.
What Is the Salary of a School Administrator?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, education administrators in kindergarten through secondary schools earned an average annual salary of $116,100 as of May 2025, with 328,330 people employed in the role nationally.
| Occupation | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $116,100 |
We don't have a current, sourced job-growth projection for this occupation to report here. The project's job-growth data set doesn't carry a row for K-12 education administrators, so rather than guess at a number, we're flagging the gap instead of publishing one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a school administrator?
A school administrator is a certified education leader who runs a school's daily operations, most commonly as a principal or vice principal. The title also covers instructional supervisors and other official leadership roles a school designates.
What degree do you need to become a school administrator?
Many administrator credentials require graduate-level preparation, but the required degree, coursework, and field experience vary by state and credential. Some administrators later add a doctoral degree, but that's not required for initial licensure. Check with your state educator-licensing agency for the specific requirements.
How much experience do you need before becoming an administrator?
Experience requirements differ by state and credential, and may include classroom teaching, other educational experience, or administrative experience. The exact requirement is set by your state educator-licensing agency, not the district.
Do you need to pass a separate exam to become a school administrator?
Some states and credentials require a school-leadership assessment. Praxis Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision is one example some states accept, but the required assessment and qualifying score vary by jurisdiction, so confirm with your state educator-licensing agency before registering.
How much does a school administrator make?
Education administrators in kindergarten through secondary schools earned an average annual salary of $116,100 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Requirements vary by state and credential - some administrator credentials require prior educator licensure and specified experience, but the exact requirement differs by jurisdiction.
- Graduate preparation is common, not universal - many administrator credentials require graduate-level study, but the required degree, coursework, and field experience vary by state.
- Assessments differ by jurisdiction - some states and credentials require a school-leadership assessment, such as Praxis Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision in states that accept it, but the required test and passing score vary.
- Pay data point to know - education administrators in kindergarten through secondary schools earned an average annual salary of $116,100 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics mean annual wage figure for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary. Figures reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2026.
Meeting the licensing requirements is only the first hurdle: choosing a program that fits your schedule while you're still teaching matters just as much. The sponsored programs listed on this page include online and hybrid formats built for working educators moving into leadership.
Salary (2025) and Job Outlook (2012 to 2020) by State
According to the published BLS data from 2025, the national average salary for Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare Center/Program is $64,800, with an estimated 73,660 being employed nationwide. Also, the job outlook growth projection from 2012 to 2020 is expected to increase by 17%.
| State | Employed | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 940 | $47,370 |
| Alaska | 60 | $78,830 |
| Arizona | 1,210 | $53,310 |
| Arkansas | 1,090 | $49,050 |
| California | 9,810 | $73,830 |
| Colorado | 1,150 | $69,590 |
| Connecticut | 1,290 | $66,380 |
| Delaware | 420 | $61,380 |
| Florida | 5,980 | $59,440 |
| Georgia | 1,550 | $59,280 |
| Hawaii | 260 | $69,240 |
| Idaho | 200 | $52,100 |
| Illinois | 3,090 | $60,160 |
| Indiana | 750 | $60,250 |
| Iowa | 1,020 | $51,980 |
| Kansas | 600 | $58,440 |
| Kentucky | 1,000 | $48,370 |
| Louisiana | 690 | $50,690 |
| Maine | 240 | $60,990 |
| Maryland | 1,270 | $69,070 |
| Massachusetts | 2,260 | $72,890 |
| Michigan | 1,890 | $58,870 |
| Minnesota | 1,010 | $64,380 |
| Mississippi | 580 | $50,700 |
| Missouri | 1,060 | $55,500 |
| Montana | 180 | $51,750 |
| Nebraska | 550 | $64,310 |
| Nevada | - | $65,530 |
| New Hampshire | 410 | $57,140 |
| New Jersey | 2,900 | $87,680 |
| New Mexico | - | - |
| New York | 3,950 | $98,290 |
| North Carolina | 2,410 | $60,880 |
| North Dakota | 290 | $56,640 |
| Ohio | 3,030 | $56,880 |
| Oklahoma | 830 | $53,560 |
| Oregon | 1,230 | $63,900 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,100 | $55,700 |
| Rhode Island | 390 | $58,770 |
| South Carolina | 700 | $58,290 |
| South Dakota | 150 | $61,330 |
| Tennessee | 710 | $56,150 |
| Texas | 5,480 | $55,050 |
| Utah | 400 | $67,970 |
| Vermont | 190 | $68,160 |
| Virginia | 1,590 | $57,630 |
| Washington | 1,560 | $79,600 |
| Washington, DC | 410 | $89,180 |
| West Virginia | 290 | $52,060 |
| Wisconsin | 1,320 | $58,530 |
| Wyoming | 160 | $62,100 |
Data taken from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) for Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare Center/Program (SOC Code: 11-9031)
Salary (2025) By Largest Metropolitan Areas
| Area | Employed | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 950 | $81,420 |
Data taken from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) for Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare Center/Program (SOC Code: 11-9031)
Salary (2025) and Job Outlook (2012 to 2020) by State
According to the published BLS data from 2025, the national average salary for Education Administrators, Elementary, Middle, and High School is $116,100, with an estimated 328,330 being employed nationwide. Also, the job outlook growth projection from 2012 to 2020 is expected to increase by 5.7%.
| State | Employed | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3,020 | $96,800 |
| Alaska | 890 | $121,280 |
| Arizona | 5,270 | $96,790 |
| Arkansas | 2,760 | $90,510 |
| California | 31,370 | $152,480 |
| Colorado | 5,760 | $117,650 |
| Connecticut | 4,610 | $148,040 |
| Delaware | 1,100 | $130,130 |
| Florida | 16,960 | $97,750 |
| Georgia | 7,530 | $107,710 |
| Hawaii | 1,910 | $125,280 |
| Idaho | 1,830 | $101,420 |
| Illinois | 14,850 | $118,420 |
| Indiana | 6,990 | $100,420 |
| Iowa | 3,310 | $112,820 |
| Kansas | 2,520 | $98,480 |
| Kentucky | 4,940 | $100,190 |
| Louisiana | 5,080 | $89,440 |
| Maine | 1,710 | $105,550 |
| Maryland | 7,200 | $131,220 |
| Massachusetts | 10,570 | $126,350 |
| Michigan | 9,610 | $107,240 |
| Minnesota | 4,120 | $121,780 |
| Mississippi | 3,170 | $87,000 |
| Missouri | 7,120 | $103,640 |
| Montana | 930 | $97,130 |
| Nebraska | 1,860 | $116,560 |
| Nevada | 2,490 | $107,670 |
| New Hampshire | 1,590 | $107,060 |
| New Jersey | 11,450 | $145,910 |
| New Mexico | 2,290 | $112,330 |
| New York | 19,210 | $143,470 |
| North Carolina | 11,220 | $90,740 |
| North Dakota | 810 | $112,960 |
| Ohio | 12,480 | $99,990 |
| Oklahoma | 4,320 | $92,320 |
| Oregon | 4,160 | $126,970 |
| Pennsylvania | 14,460 | $117,970 |
| Rhode Island | 1,160 | $118,150 |
| South Carolina | 5,000 | $105,080 |
| South Dakota | 680 | $91,960 |
| Tennessee | 6,180 | $100,580 |
| Texas | 37,140 | $96,510 |
| Utah | 2,940 | $125,180 |
| Vermont | 1,000 | $107,740 |
| Virginia | 8,470 | $115,800 |
| Washington | 6,470 | $160,570 |
| Washington, DC | 1,930 | $140,030 |
| West Virginia | 1,480 | $81,700 |
| Wisconsin | 4,030 | $114,890 |
| Wyoming | 410 | $106,210 |
Data taken from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) for Education Administrators, Elementary, Middle, and High School (SOC Code: 11-9032)
Salary (2025) By Largest Metropolitan Areas
| Area | Employed | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 970 | $120,540 |
Data taken from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) for Education Administrators, Elementary, Middle, and High School (SOC Code: 11-9032)