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College Athletics Director Salary in the United States

How much does a College Athletics Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Athletics Director in the United States is $123,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

However, a College Athletics Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $152,175
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $99,200 to $138,700
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $76,712
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence College Athletics Director Salaries

A College Athletics Director'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects College Athletics Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a College Athletics Director'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $114,684
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $115,790
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $119,476
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $123,900
  • Expert (over 8 years): $127,655
Levels Salary
Entry Level College Athletics Director$114,684
Intermediate Level College Athletics Director$115,790
Senior Level College Athletics Director$119,476
Specialist Level College Athletics Director$123,900
Expert Level College Athletics Director$127,655
View as Graph

How Do College Athletics Director 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 College Athletics Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $137,200.
  • California: $136,700.
  • Massachusetts: $134,800.

Top Paying Cities for College Athletics Directors

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: $156,300
  • San Francisco: $154,500
  • Oakland: $151,300

What Skills Can Increase a College Athletics Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 14.21% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 2.28% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
  • Hospitality Services (Mentioned in 0.65% Job Postings): Hospitality Services means any business operating within the service industry that includes lodging, hotel, event planning, and transportation.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 14.21%
Programming 2.28%
Hospitality Services 0.65%
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 a College Athletics Director's salary.

  • Continuous Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Programming: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Strategic Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Continuous Improvement $128,856
4%
Programming $128,856
4%
Strategic Planning $128,856
4%
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College Athletics Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

College Athletics Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,916. While startup companies pay approximate $109,235.

College Athletics Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $109,235
Growth Stage 51~500 $115,275
Established 501~5000 $123,804
Enterprise 5000+ $127,916

How Education impacts a College Athletics Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Athletics Directors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a College Athletics Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $117,854 and $136,291).

College Athletics Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Athletics Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.4%
High School 2.4%
Associates 2.4%
Bachelors 47.6%
Masters 41.7%
Doctorate 6.0%
View as Graph

College Athletics Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a College Athletics Director'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
$99,200
Average $123,900/year
$138,700
$8,267
Average $10,325/month
$11,558
$1,908
Average $2,383/week
$2,667
$48
Average $60/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $138,700 $11,558 $2,667 $67
Average $123,900 $10,325 $2,383 $60
25th Percentile $99,200 $8,267 $1,908 $48

Most common benefits for College Athletics Director

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

Common company salaries for College Athletics Director

Here are companies hiring for College Athletics Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about College Athletics Director

1. Is athletic director a good job?

A career as an athletic director can be both challenging and rewarding. With salaries ranging from a minimum of $101,600 to a mid-level of $130,800, and a maximum of $176,800, the financial benefits reflect the significant responsibilities involved. The role offers the opportunity to impact student-athletes' lives while managing various aspects of college athletics.

2. How much money do Division 1 schools make from athletics?

Division I institutions reported total revenue of nearly $17.5 billion from athletics in 2022, a 31% increase from the previous year. Athletics departments generated $11.2 billion, while $6.3 billion came from institutional support and student fees. College Athletics Directors typically earn between $101,600 and $176,800, with a median salary of $130,800.

3. Where do athletic directors make the most money?

Athletic Directors can earn significant salaries, with a minimum of $101,600, a mid-range of $130,800, and a maximum of $176,800. While cities like Portland, OR ($112,783) and San Diego, CA ($112,142) offer competitive pay, the overall salary range indicates that many locations provide opportunities for higher earnings in this role.

4. How much does a D1 owner make?

A D1 owner can expect to earn a salary ranging from $101,600 to $176,800, with a median salary of $130,800. This competitive compensation reflects the potential for significant revenue generation, as franchise owners can achieve average revenues of $808,219, with top locations exceeding $1.5 million annually.

5. How much do Ivy League athletic directors make?

Ivy League athletic directors typically earn between $101,600 and $176,800, with a median salary around $130,800. While some may earn more, this range reflects the general compensation for athletic directors in prestigious institutions.

6. How much do athletic directors make at D1 schools?

Athletic directors at D1 schools typically earn between $101,600 and $176,800 annually, with a median salary of around $130,800. In California, the average yearly salary for a College Athletics Director is approximately $144,200, reflecting the competitive nature of the role in the collegiate sports landscape.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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