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Education

Postsecondary Administrator

Plan, direct, or coordinate research, instructional, student administration and services, and other educational activities at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.

Annual openings

290

Median wage

$118,440

Typical education

A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is typically required for this position.

Growth 2026–2032

+12%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is typically required for this position.

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Credential detail

There are often no additional credentials required for this job.

Experience detail

3-5 years related experience is typically required.

Employer competency information

  • ● Communication - Listen, speak, write, and signal so others can understand ● Problem Solving & Decision Making - Apply critical-thinking skills to solve problems by generating, evaluating, and implementing solutions ● Strategic Planning & Organizing - Plan and prioritize work to manage time effectively and accomplish assigned tasks ● Administration & Management - Proficiency with business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources ● Critical & Analytical Thinking - Use logic, reasoning, and analysis to draw conclusions and address problems

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
  2. Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.
  3. Advise students on issues such as course selection, progress toward graduation, and career decisions.
  4. Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, and produce financial reports.
  5. Establish operational policies and procedures and make any necessary modifications, based on analysis of operations, demographics, and other research information.
  6. Represent institutions at community and campus events, in meetings with other institution personnel, and during accreditation processes.
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