Education administrator : Salary and conditions

• Starting salaries for graduate entry may range from around £19,000 - £30,000, dependent on sector, location and previous experience in an administrative setting.
• Salaries at senior level can range from £35,000 to £90,000 at the higher end, although this is also dependent on sector and location.
• Salary is influenced by institution size, type and location, as well as by job title, and can vary a great deal. Membership of a pension scheme is usually possible.
• Working hours are generally nine to five and can also involve regular extra hours and occasionally, in student-facing roles, these can include weekends or shift work. Many positions require occasional overtime, which can be concentrated at peak periods of the academic year, such as examinations, enrolment or during academic quality visits.
• Education institutions generally have good conditions of service and usually offer career breaks, part-time work and job-shares. Term-time working is sometimes possible. Some jobs may be offered on a specified contract basis.
• Self-employment/freelance work is uncommon, but there can be opportunities for freelance work for very experienced staff in specialised areas, such as quality assurance, project management, preparing funding bids, marketing and public relations.
• Jobs are available in most geographical areas. Higher education (HE) institutions are located throughout the UK, often sited in or near large towns and cities. Schools and further education (FE) colleges are found in most cities and larger towns. Tertiary colleges are more common in some areas of the country than others, and do not exist in Scotland.
• The gender balance is approximately 60:40 female to male. Senior posts are currently male-dominated, but there is an increasing number of women at this level.
• The work can be stressful, especially during busy times of the year. The HE and FE sectors are currently undergoing significant change and this impacts directly on administrative staff.
• Travel within a working day and absence from home at night is occasional. Some jobs, e.g. in schools liaison, involve frequent travel in the UK and overnight stays. Attendance at national conferences and training events may also be required. Overseas work or travel is uncommon unless the specific role involves liaison and collaboration with overseas partners, in which case occasional travel abroad is possible.

Salary figures are intended as a guide only.