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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a University Admissions Manager in California is $72,586 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, a University Admissions Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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University Admissions Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $79,349 | $6,612 | $1,526 | $38 |
| Average | $72,586 | $6,049 | $1,396 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,594 | $5,133 | $1,185 | $30 |
MCM & Associates - Cerritos, CA
Bon Appetit - Costa Mesa, CA
Zoox - San Mateo, CA
Bon Appetit - Santa Clara, CA
A University Admissions Manager'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a University Admissions Manager'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| College Admissions Administrator | 0-2 years | $54,665 |
| Admissions Screener | 2-4 years | $60,570 |
| University Admissions Manager | 4-5 years | $72,595 |
| Admissions Senior Manager - Higher Ed. | 5+ years | $83,902 |
| College Admissions Director | 5+ years | $116,478 |
What Am I Worth?
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 University Admissions Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
University Admissions Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $74,909. While startup companies pay approximate $64,008.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $64,008 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $67,533 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $72,517 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $74,909 |
For University Admissions Manager 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, University Admissions Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view University Admissions Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $79,845 | $38.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a University Admissions Manager'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $79,349 | $6,612 | $1,526 | $38 |
| Average | $72,586 | $6,049 | $1,396 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,594 | $5,133 | $1,185 | $30 |
For a University Admissions Manager, 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 $84,000 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current University Admissions Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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