Salaries & Benefits of a School Superintendent
A school superintendent is the chief executive officer of a school district, and has a wide range of responsibilities including budget and planning, academics, curriculum, and social standards, public relations, and communication and coordination with the school board. Depending on the size of the school district, the superintendent might also be involved in major personnel decisions and/or political lobbying. The school superintendent is usually selected by the local school board.
Other People Are Reading
-
Education and Background of School Superintendents
-
School superintendents come from a variety of different educational backgrounds, but almost all have at least a college degree, and many have advanced degrees in eduction, public administration, or an MBA or a law degree if they come from a business or legal career.
Salary Range for School Superintendents
-
According to PayScale, the annual median salary range in 2010 for a school superintendent in the U.S. with one to four years experience is $93,423 to $169,695. The annual median salary range for a school superintendent with five to nine years experience is $91,597 to $151,265; with 10 to 19 years experience $86,451 to $139,149; and with 20+ years of experience, the range moves up to $93,037 to $154,821.
-
Typical Benefit Packages
-
School superintendents tend to be offered generous benefits packages in addition to significant salaries as befits a chief executive of a (relatively) large organization. Most benefits packages will include at least three weeks of paid vacation as well as full health/dental/vision insurance, and a retirement plan.
Nature of the Work
-
The job description of a school superintendent varies a great deal depending on the size and needs of the school district. In some smaller districts, the job will be much more academic and administrative, while in large city school districts the school superintendent tends to be more involved in public relations and politics. But all school superintendents are charged with maintaining appropriate academic standards and curriculum, and with carrying out the will of the local school board.
Employment Prospects for School Superintendents
-
Future employment prospects for education administrators are excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions for education administrators are predicted to grow by 8 percent between 2008 and 2018. Positions for senior education administrators like school superintendents are likely to grow even faster as more are reaching retirement age and fewer people are entering the field. Some states, including New York, are already reporting difficulty finding qualified candidates, and are having to offer higher compensation.
-
