Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary

Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.

What you'd actually do

• Evaluate curricula, teaching methods, and programs to determine their effectiveness, efficiency, and use, and to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Observe teaching methods and examine learning materials to evaluate and standardize curricula and teaching techniques and to determine areas for improvement.
• Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.
• Collaborate with teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives.
• Direct and coordinate activities of teachers, administrators, and support staff at schools, public agencies, and institutions.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Master's degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors; you're around people constantly; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 1.2% of education administrators, kindergarten through secondary are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, take-charge and organized and detail-focused.

Related careers

• Education Administrators, Postsecondary
• General and Operations Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
• Education Administrators, All Other
• Administrative Services Managers

Quick questions

How much does a education administrators, kindergarten through secondary make?

The median pay is $50.03 per hour — roughly $104,000 a year. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a education administrators, kindergarten through secondary?

The typical entry-level education is: Master's degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a education administrators, kindergarten through secondary actually do all day?

Evaluate curricula, teaching methods, and programs to determine their effectiveness, efficiency, and use, and to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Observe teaching methods and examine learning materials to evaluate and standardize curricula and teaching techniques and to determine areas for improvement. Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.