Education Administrator, Kindergarten through Secondary Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$159,950
per year
Hourly Rate
$76.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+51% vs US median
US median $105,870
State Rank
#2 of 51
31,370 employed here

How much does an Education Administrator, Kindergarten through Secondary make in California?

An Education Administrator, Kindergarten through Secondary working in California earns a median salary of $159,950 per year, or about $76.90 per hour. That is 51% above the national median of $105,870 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $103,250 while the top 10% make $202,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $130,110 and $169,350 a year.

Education Administrator, Kindergarten through Secondary salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$103,250$49.64
25th percentile (early career)$130,110$62.55
50th percentile (median)$159,950$76.90
75th percentile (experienced)$169,350$81.42
90th percentile (top earners)$202,380$97.30

How California compares

California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Education Administrator, Kindergarten through Secondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$166,590
2California$159,950
3Connecticut$156,240
4New York$138,830
5District of Columbia$137,470

Working as an Education Administrator, Kindergarten through Secondary in California

Nationally, about 328,000 people work as Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($159,950) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Education Administrator, Kindergarten through Secondary make in California?
The median Education Administrator, Kindergarten through Secondary salary in California is $159,950 per year, or about $76.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $103,250 at the entry level to $202,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary about 51% more than the national median of $105,870. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $159,950 a year. About 31,370 Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Education Administrator, Kindergarten through Secondary salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.