Occupation · SOC 11-9032
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.
Median wage
$104,070
$72,400–$165,820
Projected growth
-1.6%
Declining
Annual openings
-510
per year
Employed (US)
319,630
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
676 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionLearning StrategiesCritical ThinkingWritingJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringManagement of Personnel ResourcesCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementSystems EvaluationService OrientationInstructingActive LearningNegotiationSystems AnalysisPersuasionManagement of Financial ResourcesMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignScienceProgrammingOperations MonitoringTroubleshootingOperation and ControlEquipment SelectionRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Administration and ManagementEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingPersonnel and Human ResourcesCustomer and Personal ServiceLaw and GovernmentPsychologyPublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsPhilosophy and TheologyTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyAdministrativeCommunications and MediaEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingHistory and ArcheologyTransportationFine ArtsTelecommunicationsBuilding and ConstructionDesignGeographyForeign LanguageMedicine and DentistryMechanicalEngineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingBiologyChemistryPhysicsFood Production
Technology & tools
ACS Technologies HeadMasterApache CassandraAttendance tracking softwareBlackbaud The Education EdgeBlackboard softwareBloomzCommon CurriculumComputer Resources MMSDesmosEdulasticEffexoft EASIGeogebraGoogle CalendarGoogle ClassroomGoogle DriveGoogle GmailHuman resource management software HRMSIBM DominoIBM SPSS StatisticsIntrado SchoolMessengerL-Systems X-ONELogicalBit EimasMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Dynamics GPMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft PublisherMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WordMinitabNearpodNetSuite ERPParentSquarePearson PowerSchoolRecordKeeper Software School RecordKeeperRediker Software School Office SuiteRethink EdRobust Software Overseer Suite
Representative tasks
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsGetting InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesAnalyzing Data or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping and Building TeamsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesTraining and Teaching OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesStaffing Organizational UnitsProcessing InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsWorking with ComputersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgePerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationSelling or Influencing OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Student behavior and attendance records — review and document under the guidance of a supervising administrator in a K–12 school setting.Established discipline and attendance policies — apply consistently under direct supervision when addressing routine student infractions.Parent and staff communications — participate in and summarize key points during scheduled conferences led by senior administrators.Curriculum materials and course descriptions — examine and compile preliminary notes on alignment gaps under the direction of a department lead.Candidate application files — screen and organize using school HR protocols when supporting recruitment efforts for instructional positions.Professional development session logistics — coordinate scheduling and resource preparation under the supervision of lead administrators.Student counseling referrals — identify and route appropriately by recognizing early indicators of academic or behavioral concern.ERP and student information system software — enter and retrieve data to support enrollment, scheduling, and attendance tracking tasks.Mission statements and performance goal drafts — contribute suggested language during collaborative curriculum planning sessions.Standardized evaluation rubrics — apply to classroom observation notes when assisting experienced administrators with instructional reviews.
developing
Student counseling sessions — conduct independently to address personal, academic, or behavioral concerns within a defined school-level scope.Parent-teacher conference agendas — facilitate and lead with reduced oversight to address learning problems and communicate school policies.Course schedule drafts and staffing estimates — prepare by analyzing enrollment data and facility capacity for the upcoming academic term.Classroom instructional practices — observe and evaluate against established curriculum standards using structured walkthrough protocols.Discipline cases of moderate complexity — adjudicate by applying school policy and documenting outcomes in the student information system.New instructional staff onboarding — coordinate and deliver orientation programming covering school culture, expectations, and core procedures.Professional development workshops — design and facilitate for teacher cohorts based on identified instructional improvement priorities.Curriculum alignment data — analyze using analytical software to identify trends and recommend targeted areas for instructional adjustment.Staff performance evaluations — complete using district rubrics and provide structured feedback during post-observation conferences.Calendar and scheduling software — use to manage and communicate school-wide activity calendars, deadlines, and staffing assignments.
proficient
Academic program scope and course offerings — determine independently by synthesizing student outcome data, community needs, and resource availability across a full school.Multi-stakeholder conferences involving parents, counselors, and teachers — lead to resolve complex student behavioral or learning challenges with a trauma-informed approach.School-wide curriculum standards — develop and maintain collaboratively with instructional staff to ensure coherence, rigor, and alignment to state frameworks.Non-routine discipline situations including appeals and legal considerations — adjudicate by applying nuanced judgment and district policy in a secondary school context.Full instructional staff recruitment cycles — manage end-to-end, including job design, candidate evaluation, and hiring decisions for both core and supplemental positions.Multi-year professional development plans — design and lead for all staff categories, integrating adult learning strategies and data-driven instructional priorities.Teaching methodology and learning material quality — evaluate systematically across subject areas and grade bands to standardize and continuously improve instruction.Mission statements and strategic performance objectives — author and refine in collaboration with staff, aligning them to district goals and school improvement plans.Cloud-based data platforms and ERP systems — leverage to generate actionable reports on student performance, staffing efficiency, and operational compliance.Student support systems including counseling, intervention, and referral pathways — oversee comprehensively to ensure equitable access for all learners.
advanced
District-wide educational program strategy — set direction by leading cross-school teams to evaluate program effectiveness, close equity gaps, and plan multi-year curriculum investments.Organizational mission and performance goal frameworks — establish and champion across an entire school district, aligning administrator, teacher, and community stakeholders.Principal and administrator talent pipelines — build by designing succession planning programs, coaching emerging leaders, and setting performance standards at scale.District professional development infrastructure — architect and govern to ensure continuous improvement across all schools, embedding evidence-based learning strategies system-wide.Policy development for discipline, attendance, and student welfare — lead by translating legal mandates, community values, and research into enforceable school board policy.Labor relations and negotiation with teacher unions and bargaining units — conduct to reach agreements that balance staff equity with district educational priorities.Systemic curriculum and instructional quality evaluation — direct by commissioning program audits, interpreting longitudinal data, and recommending structural reforms to the board.Cross-agency partnerships with mental health, social service, and higher education entities — forge to expand student support resources and vocational pathways across the district.Enterprise technology ecosystems including ERP, database, and communication platforms — sponsor and govern to ensure data integrity, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.Organizational culture of integrity, cooperation, and high expectations — model and institutionalize by leading with consistent values, transparent communication, and distributed accountability across all school communities.
Also known as
41 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Academic AdvisorAssessment CoordinatorAthletic CoordinatorAthletic DirectorCommission for the Blind DirectorCurriculum and Instruction SuperintendentCurriculum DirectorEducation SupervisorEducational Program DirectorElementary PrincipalElementary School PrincipalHeadmasterHigh School Principal (HS Principal)Junior High School PrincipalK-12 Principal (Kindergarten Through Twelfth Grade Principal)K-12 School Principal (Kindergarten Through Twelfth Grade School Principal)K-8 School Principal (Kindergarten Through Eighth Grade School Principal)Middle School Principal (MS Principal)Mother SuperiorPE Director (Physical Education Director)PrincipalPupil Personnel Program DirectorPupil Personnel Services DirectorSchool Administrator (School Admin)School Business ManagerSchool CoordinatorSchool PrincipalSchool SuperintendentSecondary School PrincipalSpecial Programs DirectorSpecial Services DirectorSPED Admin (Special Education Administrator)SPED Director (Special Education Director)SPED Superintendent (Special Education Superintendent)Student Services CoordinatorStudent Services DirectorSuperintendentTechnical Education DirectorTesting DirectorTitle I Director