As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Bursar in the United States is $78,242 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a Bursar's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Bursar'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Bursar'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Bursar | $71,831 |
| Intermediate Level Bursar | $72,900 |
| Senior Level Bursar | $75,037 |
| Specialist Level Bursar | $78,242 |
| Expert Level Bursar | $80,940 |
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 Bursars. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 7.28% |
| Microsoft Office | 2.3% |
| PeopleSoft | 1.53% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Data-Driven Decision-Making
|
$109,539 |
40%
|
|
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
|
$89,196 |
14%
|
|
Auditing
|
$87,631 |
12%
|
|
ERP
|
$87,631 |
12%
|
|
Microsoft Excel
|
$86,066 |
10%
|
|
Internal Control
|
$85,284 |
9%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Bursars 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 Bursar with a Bachelor's Degree is between $79,196 and $88,452).
Bursar Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 14.7% |
| High School | 14.7% |
| Associates | 14.7% |
| Bachelors | 38.2% |
| Masters | 32.4% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Bursar'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 March 01, 2026
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A Bursar's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Bursar earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Bursar is $98,687.
The highest pay for Bursar is $92,056.
The lowest pay for Bursar is $50,890.
Manages the process of billing students for tuition and fees and overseeing the collection of payments. Maintains accurate records of all financial transactions related to students and the institution. Monitors and approves account reconciliation. Ensures compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and institutional policies. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.
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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