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Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. Salary in the United States

How much does an Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. in the United States is $65,890 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, an Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $77,544
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,890 to $71,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,786
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. Salaries

An Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.'s salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.'s salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • College Admissions Administrator (0-2 years): $49,554
  • Admissions Screener (2-4 years): $54,915
  • Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. (4-5 years): $65,813
  • Admissions Senior Manager - Higher Ed. (5+ years): $76,064
  • College Admissions Director (5+ years): $105,611
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
College Admissions Administrator0-2 years$49,554
Admissions Screener2-4 years$54,915
Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.4-5 years$65,813
Admissions Senior Manager - Higher Ed.5+ years$76,064
College Admissions Director5+ years$105,611
View as Graph

How Do Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $72,890.
  • California: $72,590.
  • Massachusetts: $71,690.

Top Paying Cities for Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.s

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $83,090
  • San Francisco: $82,190
  • Oakland: $80,390

What Skills Can Increase an Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 9.17% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • CRM (Mentioned in 2.65% Job Postings): Customer relationship management (CRM) is a technology for managing all your company's relationships and interactions with customers and potential customers.
  • Marketing Plans (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): A marketing plan is the advertising strategy that a business will implement to sell its product or service. The marketing plan will help determine who the target market is, how to reach them, at what price point the product or service should be sold.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.17%
CRM 2.65%
Marketing Plans 1.79%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.'s salary.

  • Nursing Care: Can increase your salary by up to 39%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Sales and Marketing: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Nursing Care $91,587
39%
Analysis $69,185
5%
Sales and Marketing $68,526
4%
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Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,025. While startup companies pay approximate $58,091.

Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,091
Growth Stage 51~500 $61,303
Established 501~5000 $65,839
Enterprise 5000+ $68,025

Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 0% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$72,479$35.010%

Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.'s annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$55,890
Average $65,890/year
$71,990
$4,658
Average $5,491/month
$5,999
$1,075
Average $1,267/week
$1,384
$27
Average $32/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $71,990 $5,999 $1,384 $35
Average $65,890 $5,491 $1,267 $32
25th Percentile $55,890 $4,658 $1,075 $27

Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. Salary Growth & Career Path

Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.

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Advancement

For an Admissions Manager - Higher Ed., the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Admissions Senior Manager - Higher Ed. role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $76,100 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.

Here are companies hiring for Admissions Manager - Higher Ed. and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Admissions Manager - Higher Ed.

1. What degree do you need to be a director of admissions?

To become a director of admissions, a bachelor's degree is generally sufficient, but candidates with a master's degree in a related educational field are often preferred. The salary for an Admissions Manager in higher education ranges from $60,390 to $76,990, with a median salary of $68,290, reflecting the importance of advanced qualifications in this competitive field.

2. What type of manager gets paid the most?

In the realm of higher education, the Admissions Manager role offers a competitive salary range, with a minimum of $60,390, a mid-level salary of $68,290, and a maximum of $76,990. While various management positions exist, the highest-paying roles typically include Chief Executive Officers and Financial Managers, among others.

3. How much do admissions officers make in the US?

As of now, the salary for an Admissions Manager in higher education ranges from $60,390 to $76,990 annually, with a median salary of $68,290. This translates to approximately $29.05 to $36.97 per hour, or about $5,032 to $6,416 monthly.

4. What does an admissions office manager do?

An Admissions Office Manager is responsible for maintaining and managing the admission database, running statistical reports, and entering inquiries and application data. They oversee office logistics, including ordering supplies and managing admissions marketing materials. The salary for this role typically ranges from $60,390 to $76,990, with a mid-point of $68,290.

5. How do I become an application manager?

To become an Admissions Manager in higher education, you typically need a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and several years of experience in admissions or related areas. The salary for this role ranges from $60,390 to $76,990, with a median salary of $68,290. Strong communication and organizational skills are also essential for success in this position.

6. How much do Harvard admissions officers make?

The estimated total pay range for an Admissions Manager at Harvard University is $60,390–$76,990 per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average base salary for an Admissions Manager at Harvard is approximately $68,290 per year.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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