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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Higher Education Administrator in Illinois is $65,203 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, a Higher Education Administrator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Higher Education Administrator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $74,256 | $6,188 | $1,428 | $36 |
| Average | $65,203 | $5,434 | $1,254 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,268 | $4,856 | $1,121 | $28 |
Salesforce, Inc. - , IL
University of Illinois System - Urbana, IL
North Park University - Chicago, IL
Oracle - Springfield, IL
A Higher Education Administrator'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 Higher Education Administrator'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 |
|---|---|
| Higher Ed... Level Higher Education Administrator | $66,648 |
| Systems S... Level Higher Education Administrator | $79,757 |
| Systems A... Level Higher Education Administrator | $117,628 |
| Systems A... Level Higher Education Administrator | $127,294 |
| Systems A... Level Higher Education Administrator | $151,913 |
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 Higher Education Administrators. 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:
For Higher Education Administrator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, Higher Education Administrator positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Higher Education Administrator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $79,548 | $38.0 | 22% |
| Internet | $76,940 | $37.0 | 18% |
| Energy & Utilities | $73,028 | $35.0 | 12% |
| Telecom | $72,376 | $35.0 | 11% |
| Financial Services | $71,724 | $34.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Higher Education Administrator'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 | $74,256 | $6,188 | $1,428 | $36 |
| Average | $65,203 | $5,434 | $1,254 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,268 | $4,856 | $1,121 | $28 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Higher Education Administrator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Illinois State University | Normal, IL
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salesforce.com, inc.
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Chicago, IL
Compass Group | Chicago, IL
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