Administrators for schools and institutions are people who manage the academe. Their job duties include hiring teachers, implementing procedures, observing classes, reviewing instructional objectives, developing curriculum standards, preparing budgets, and making decisions. Administrators have big responsibilities and work 40 hours a week plus added hours for school activities at nights or during weekends. In 2008, there was an estimated 445,400 jobs for school administrators. Majority of these administrators worked in public or private educational institutions while the rest worked in child day care centers.
Aspiring school administrators need to have leadership, discipline, confidence, sharp decision-making skills, and strong interpersonal skills. He or she must be an effective communicator and motivator and is familiar with computer technology. The educational backgrounds and experience of most education administrators vary. Some have master’s degrees, some started as teachers moving into administration, and some started from basic administrative jobs. Some administrators have a doctorate or specialized degree in education administration. Almost all states require either some other graduate-level training while some require completion of a licensure test. Many colleges and universities offer advanced degrees in education administration and related courses such as school law, curriculum development and evaluation, and counseling.
School administrators had average annual earnings of $74,190 in May 2004. The salaries of school administrators depend on various factors such as experience and the location of the school. Aside from their basic pay, school administrators generally enjoy great benefits such as 4 or 5 week annual vacation, health and pension packages, and free tuition to employees and their families.