University Academic Advising Director Salary in the United States

How much does an University Academic Advising Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an University Academic Advising Director in the United States is $76,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, an University Academic Advising Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $102,181
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,090 to $89,890
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,802

Key Factors That Influence University Academic Advising Director Salaries

An University Academic Advising Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for University Academic Advising 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: $96,290
  • San Francisco: $95,290
  • Oakland: $93,290

What Skills Can Increase an University Academic Advising Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 3.57% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.56% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • AWS (Mentioned in 1.04% Job Postings): Amazon Web Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments, on a metered pay-as-you-go basis.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 3.57%
Microsoft Office 1.56%
AWS 1.04%

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 University Academic Advising Director's salary.

  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • Illustrator: Can increase your salary by up to 28%.
  • Vendor Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
AWS $99,307
30%
Illustrator $97,779
28%
Vendor Management $84,029
10%

University Academic Advising Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

University Academic Advising Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $78,866. While startup companies pay approximate $67,348.

University Academic Advising Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $67,348
Growth Stage 51~500 $71,072
Established 501~5000 $76,331
Enterprise 5000+ $78,866

University Academic Advising Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For University Academic Advising Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 22% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, University Academic Advising Director positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view University Academic Advising Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an University Academic Advising Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$84,029$40.010%
Education$77,918$37.02%

How Education impacts an University Academic Advising Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many University Academic Advising 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 an University Academic Advising Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $84,108 and $92,730).

University Academic Advising Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for University Academic Advising Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 3.5%
Associates 7.1%
Bachelors 20.6%
Masters 53.2%
Doctorate 14.9%

University Academic Advising Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an University Academic Advising 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
$65,090
Average $76,390/year
$89,890
$5,424
Average $6,366/month
$7,491
$1,252
Average $1,469/week
$1,729
$31
Average $37/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $89,890 $7,491 $1,729 $43
Average $76,390 $6,366 $1,469 $37
25th Percentile $65,090 $5,424 $1,252 $31

University Academic Advising Director Salary Growth & Career Path

For an University Academic Advising Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Study Abroad Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $62,600 - a projected growth of -18% over your current level.

Most common benefits for University Academic Advising Director

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

Common company salaries for University Academic Advising Director

Here are companies hiring for University Academic Advising Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about University Academic Advising Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for University Academic Advising Director?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for University Academic Advising Director roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. How much do Harvard academic advisors make?

The estimated total pay range for an Academic Advisor at Harvard University is between $76,490 and $110,690 per year, based on the salary data for a University Academic Advising Director. This range includes base salary and potential additional compensation.

3. How much does an associate director of academic advising make?

The estimated total pay for an Associate Director of Academic Advising ranges from $76,490 to $110,690 per year, with a mid-salary of $90,790. These figures reflect the salary range based on collected data, providing a comprehensive view of potential earnings in this role.

4. What is the highest salary for an Academic Advisor?

The highest salary for an Academic Advisor can reach up to $110,690 per year. Academic advisors play a crucial role in guiding students on their educational paths in secondary schools and higher education institutions. This role may be full-time or combined with teaching responsibilities.

5. How much do academic advisors make at Baylor University?

Academic Advisors at Baylor University can expect a salary range for the position of Academic Advising Director between $76,490 and $110,690, with a mid-salary of approximately $90,790. This reflects a competitive compensation structure within the field of academic advising.

6. Do academic advisors need a degree?

To become an academic advisor, a bachelor's degree is essential, with many positions preferring candidates who hold a master's degree. Relevant fields of study include psychology, education, or communications, which help develop the necessary skills for the role. The salary for an Academic Advising Director ranges from $76,490 to $110,690, with a median salary of $90,790.

7. What does a director of academic advising do?

A Director of Academic Advising advocates for students' advising needs, ensuring their successful enrollment and completion of educational goals. They assist current and prospective students with information on college offerings, academic pathways, prerequisites, and services. The salary for this role ranges from $76,490 to $110,690, with a midpoint of $90,790.

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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