What are the Job Duties of School Administrators?
School administrator responsibilities contribute towards helping students learn in a safe and organized setting. Explore the duties, requirements, and salaries that encompass a school administrator job description.
What Does a School Administrator Do?
A school administrator job description is not complete without discussing the various duties of a school administrator. These professionals at the elementary, middle, and high school levels oversee teachers and school staff, as well as help to discipline children. Other school administrator responsibilities may include:
- Developing class schedules
- Ensuring curriculum standards are met
- Providing professional development opportunities for teachers
- Monitoring student success with test results and other data
- Overseeing the school budget
- Coordinating school security
- Communicating with parents as needed
- Hiring new staff members
School administrators oversee the daily operations of a school. These administrators may include positions like principals and assistant principals. The role of administrator in school may depend on various factors, such as the size of the school and whether the school is public or private, but in general they help create a safe learning environment for students.
There are also postsecondary education administrators that typically specialize in a particular area, such as admissions or student affairs. The job duties of postsecondary education administrators typically vary based on the area in which they work. For example, professionals in admissions may help determine which students to admit into their institution, while administrators in student affairs may advise students and help plan student activities. Other postsecondary education administrators include those working in the registrar's office or as academic deans and provosts.
How Do You Become a School Administrator?
The requirements for becoming a school administrator generally consist of education, work experience, and sometimes licensing/certification. Education requirements for these professionals typically consist of a master's degree, but the specific degree may vary based on position. For example, the degree needed to be a school principal is usually in education administration or education leadership, while postsecondary education administrators can have degrees in a wide range of fields, such as marketing or social work.
Besides education, most elementary, middle, or high school administrators need to have some teaching experience, and postsecondary education administrators generally need some work experience in a college setting. While there are no certifications or licenses needed for postsecondary education administrators, principals and other school administrators usually need to meet their state's licensing requirements if they are working in a public school.
Other Skills
School administrators need to obtain and develop several important skills outside of their formal education. These professionals need to be leaders, problem-solvers, and decision-makers to help run their institution. It is also important that they have the necessary interpersonal and communication skills to work with other staff members, teachers, and students.
School Administrator Salary
In 2018, elementary and secondary school education administrators made an average annual salary of $98,750, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The administrators at this level who made the most money made an average annual salary of $109,570 for the same year and worked for local governments, excluding schools and hospitals.
The BLS also reported that in 2018 postsecondary education administrators made an average salary of $111,210. These administrators working in the offices of physicians made the most in 2018, with an average salary of $159,700.