Administrator/Executive Director Salary in the United States

How much does an Administrator/Executive Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Administrator/Executive Director in the United States is $323,041 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $155.

However, an Administrator/Executive Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $378,839
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $291,274 to $352,248
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $262,352
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View as table View as graph 25% $291,274 10% $262,352 90% $378,839 75% $352,248 $323,041 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Administrator/Executive Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $352,248 $29,354 $6,774 $169
Average $323,041 $26,920 $6,212 $155
25th Percentile $291,274 $24,273 $5,601 $140
Check out Administrator/Executive Director Job Openings in the United States
Physician Oncology Ohio Permanent Associate Medical Director

eviCore healthcare - Columbus, OH

Physician Neurology Ohio Locum Tenens Locums Physician

MD Staff, LLC - Columbus, OH

Local CDL

C.R. England - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Administrator/Executive Director Salaries

An Administrator/Executive 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 Administrator/Executive Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Administrator/Executive 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): $107,203
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $145,324
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $201,690
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $231,786
  • Expert (over 8 years): $316,956
Levels Salary
Operation... Level Administrator/Executive Director$107,203
Senior Op... Level Administrator/Executive Director$145,324
Operation... Level Administrator/Executive Director$201,690
Divisiona... Level Administrator/Executive Director$231,786
Administr... Level Administrator/Executive Director$316,956
$107,203 0 yr
$145,324 < 2 yrs
$201,690 2-4 yrs
$231,786 5-8 yrs
$316,956 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Administrator/Executive 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 Administrator/Executive Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $357,671.
  • California: $356,314.
  • Massachusetts: $351,566.

Top Paying Cities for Administrator/Executive 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: $407,452
  • San Francisco: $402,990
  • Oakland: $394,498

What Skills Can Increase an Administrator/Executive Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 19.07% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Financial Services (Mentioned in 1.32% Job Postings): A services provided by the finance industry, which encompasses a broad range of businesses that manage money. These services involve banking, brokerage, mortgages, credit cards, payment services, real estate, investment funds, taxes and accounting.
  • Operations Management (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Operations management is an area of management concerned with designing and controlling the process of production and redesigning business operations in the production of goods or services. It involves the responsibility of ensuring that business operations are efficient in terms of using as few resources as needed and effective in terms of meeting customer requirements. Operations management is primarily concerned with planning, organizing and supervising in the contexts of production, manufacturing or the provision of services. It is concerned with managing an entire production system which is the process that converts inputs (in the forms of raw materials, labor, and energy) into outputs (in the form of goods and/or services), or delivers a product or services. Operations produce products, manage quality and creates service. Operation management covers sectors like banking systems, hospitals, companies, working with suppliers, customers, and using technology. Operations is one of the major functions in an organization along with supply chains, marketing, finance and human resources. The operations function requires management of both the strategic and day-to-day production of goods and services.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 19.07%
Financial Services 1.32%
Operations Management 1.03%
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 Administrator/Executive Director's salary.
  • Operations Management: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Operations Management
$365,036
13%
Innovation
$361,806
12%
Insight
$361,806
12%
Collaboration
$358,576
11%
Business Operations
$358,576
11%
Strategic Planning
$355,345
10%
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Administrator/Executive Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Administrator/Executive Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Administrator/Executive Director positions in Energy & Utilities or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Administrator/Executive Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Administrator/Executive Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$403,801$194.025%
Business Services$387,649$186.020%
Insurance$371,497$179.015%
Financial Services$355,345$171.010%
MFG Nondurable$355,345$171.010%

How Education impacts an Administrator/Executive Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Administrator/Executive 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 Administrator/Executive Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $297,505 and $327,501).

Administrator/Executive Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Administrator/Executive Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 7.4%
Associates 5.1%
Bachelors 40.6%
Masters 42.3%
Doctorate 3.6%
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Administrator/Executive Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Administrator/Executive 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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Administrator/Executive Director

Salaries for an Administrator/Executive Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $235,966 in 2023 to around $232,082 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Administrator/Executive Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Administrator/Executive Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$235,966
2024
$236,184
2025
$232,082
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $235,966
2024 $236,184
2025 $232,082
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Administrator/Executive Director

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Administrator/Executive Director

Here are companies hiring for Administrator/Executive Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Administrator/Executive Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Administrator/Executive Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    13 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    13 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    16 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    16 Days Ago

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FAQ about Administrator/Executive Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Administrator/Executive Director?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Administrator/Executive Director roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

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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