US
Columbia, MO
Missouri salary market
$105K
Avg / Year
Near national
vs National
340
Employment
$8.7K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Postsecondary Education Administrator Salary in Columbia, MO (2026)

The Postsecondary Education Administrator salary in Columbia, MO for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Columbia, MO market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets. Official BLS and O*NET title: "Education Administrators, Postsecondary".

Official BLS baseline: 2024Columbia, MO city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$105K
per year
Entry Level
$60.0K
starting range
Senior Level
$178K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$107K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$8.7K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$52
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Postsecondary Education Administrator Salary Overview in Columbia, MO

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Postsecondary Education Administrator pay in Columbia, MO at about $104,804 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $61,820.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about N/A.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Columbia, Mo metropolitan area.

If you’re comparing Postsecondary Education Administrator salaries in Columbia, MO, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Columbia, MO vs. U.S. National Average

Columbia, MO pays near national for Postsecondary Education Administrator roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$104K
all U.S. markets combined
+1%
Columbia, MO Premium
Columbia, MO City Average
$105K
Postsecondary Education Administrator
MarketProjected Salaryvs Columbia, MOMarket Maturity
Columbia, MO (this guide)$104,804BaselineLocal market
United States$103,960Near nationalNational baseline
St. Louis, MO$106,060+1% vs U.S.Comparable city
Kansas City, MO$105,600Near nationalComparable city
Springfield, MO$99,720.0-5% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Columbia, MO pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Postsecondary Education Administrator Salary by Experience Level in Columbia, MO

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Columbia, MO, this breakdown shows how aPostsecondary Education Administrator can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$82.1K
$50/hr median equivalent
$60.0K - $105K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$105K
$50/hr median equivalent
$82.1K - $178K
Senior
6-10 years
$178K
$50/hr median equivalent
$105K - $226K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$226K
$50/hr median equivalent
$178K - $275K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Postsecondary Education Administrator0-2 years$82,052.0$59,979.0 - $104,804-21% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Postsecondary Education Administrator3-5 years$104,804$82,052.0 - $177,561Near national
Senior Postsecondary Education Administrator6-10 years$177,561$104,804 - $225,503+71% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Postsecondary Education Administrator10+ years$225,503$177,561 - $275,114+117% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Columbia, MO

Nearby metro areas help show how Postsecondary Education Administrator pay changes around Columbia, MO. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Columbia, MO
$105K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Columbia, Mo metropolitan area.
This guide
#2
St. Louis, MO
$106K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Postsecondary Education Administrator salaries around Columbia, MO.
+1% vs U.S.
#3
Kansas City, MO
$106K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Postsecondary Education Administrator salaries around Columbia, MO.
Near national
#4
Springfield, MO
$99.7K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Postsecondary Education Administrator salaries around Columbia, MO.
-5% vs U.S.
#5
Jefferson City, MO
$96.8K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Postsecondary Education Administrator salaries around Columbia, MO.
-8% vs U.S.

Postsecondary Education Administrator Salary by Industry in Columbia, MO

Industry premiums in Columbia, MO usually come from employers that place the Postsecondary Education Administrator role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$146,980$84,310.0 - N/AStronger salary
Health Care and Social Assistance$146,470$78,980.0 - N/AStronger salary
Management of Companies and Enterprises$132,840$80,390.0 - N/AStronger salary
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$105,750$65,760.0 - $215,970Competitive
Educational Services$103,840$63,790.0 - $212,110Competitive
Other Services Except Public Administration$98,490.0$42,720.0 - $175,030Competitive
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$93,990.0$67,840.0 - $166,450Competitive

Entry-Level Postsecondary Education Administrator Salary in Columbia, MO

Entry-level Postsecondary Education Administrator jobs in Columbia, MO are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Postsecondary Education Administrator salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Postsecondary Education Administrator roles in Columbia, MO is about $82,052.0.
Preparation pathJob Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). Training signal: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Remote vs Onsite Postsecondary Education Administrator Pay in Columbia, MO

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Postsecondary Education Administrator candidates in Columbia, MO. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$104,804
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$106,900
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$102,708Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$106,900Metro dependentColumbia, MO employersMedium
Onsite$104,804Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Columbia, MO

A salary in Columbia, MO should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.4K
$1.9K
$2.4K
Transport / commute
$305.7
$349.3
$393.0
Food and groceries
$655.0
$698.7
$786.0
Utilities and internet
$305.7
$349.3
$393.0
Estimated remainder
$3.0K
$4.5K
$5.6K
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Top Employers Hiring Postsecondary Education Administrators in Columbia, MO

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Postsecondary Education Administrator pay tends to be strongest in Columbia, MO, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$147K
Industry benchmark for Postsecondary Education Administrator roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Health Care and Social Assistance employers
$146K
Industry benchmark for Postsecondary Education Administrator roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$133K
Industry benchmark for Postsecondary Education Administrator roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$106K
Industry benchmark for Postsecondary Education Administrator roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Educational Services employers
$104K
Industry benchmark for Postsecondary Education Administrator roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Other Services Except Public Administration employers
$98.5K
Industry benchmark for Postsecondary Education Administrator roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Columbia, MO Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherColumbia, MO is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Postsecondary Education Administrator work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Columbia, MO
This guide
$105K
Baseline
St. Louis, MO
Nearby U.S. market
$106K
+1% vs U.S.
Kansas City, MO
Nearby U.S. market
$106K
Near national
Springfield, MO
Nearby U.S. market
$99.7K
-5% vs U.S.
Jefferson City, MO
Nearby U.S. market
$96.8K
-8% vs U.S.
Joplin, MO
Nearby U.S. market
$81.0K
-23% vs U.S.
Kansas City, MO
Nearby U.S. market
$103K
-1% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Columbia, MO

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$60.3K - $81.1K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$74.9K - $98.8K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$93.6K - $116K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$112K - $146K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$133K - $168K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$156K - $213K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 1.7% from 2024 to 2034.
About averageAnnual openings: 15.1 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment226.6k → 230.5k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Related experienceExtensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Local market anchor340 jobs with a median of $104,804

Factors Affecting Postsecondary Education Administrator Salary in Columbia, MO

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Postsecondary Education Administrator Salary in Columbia, MO

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Postsecondary Education Administrator Salary in Columbia, MO: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Postsecondary Education Administrator" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Education Administrators, Postsecondary salary?
The latest national baseline for Education Administrators, Postsecondary is about $104,000 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Education Administrators, Postsecondary salary?
Entry-level estimates for Education Administrators, Postsecondary are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $63,800 per year nationally.
How much can senior Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn?
Senior Education Administrators, Postsecondary estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $140,900 per year nationally.
Does location affect Education Administrators, Postsecondary salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Education Administrators, Postsecondary salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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