As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a College Athletics Director in the United States is $118,000. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $98,500 to $144,700, with most professionals earning between $80,746 and $169,009.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $144,700 | $12,058 | $2,783 | $70 |
| Average | $118,000 | $9,833 | $2,269 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,500 | $8,208 | $1,894 | $47 |
An entry-level College Athletics Director with less than 1 year of experience earns about $110,724. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $111,597. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $114,507. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $118,000, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $124,775.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level College Athletics Director | $110,724 |
| Intermediate Level College Athletics Director | $111,597 |
| Senior Level College Athletics Director | $114,507 |
| Specialist Level College Athletics Director | $118,000 |
| Expert Level College Athletics Director | $124,775 |
| Entry Level | 6% |
| Mid Level | 5% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 0% |
| Experienced | 6% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in College Athletics Director compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $150,165 in 2023 to approximately $146,048 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of College Athletics Director salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
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| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $118,000 | 73.3% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $9,027 | 5.6% | ||
| 401K/403B | $5,782 | 3.6% | ||
| Disability | $1,888 | 1.2% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 4.0% | ||
| Pension | $4,956 | 3.1% | ||
| Time Off | $14,977 | 9.3% | ||
| Total Compensation | $161,001 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| High School | 2.4% |
| Associates | 2.4% |
| Bachelors | 47.6% |
| Masters | 41.7% |
| Doctorate | 6.0% |
What Am I Worth?
A career as an athletic director can be both challenging and rewarding. With salaries ranging from a minimum of $101,600 to a mid-level of $130,800, and a maximum of $176,800, the financial benefits reflect the significant responsibilities involved. The role offers the opportunity to impact student-athletes' lives while managing various aspects of college athletics.
Division I institutions reported total revenue of nearly $17.5 billion from athletics in 2022, a 31% increase from the previous year. Athletics departments generated $11.2 billion, while $6.3 billion came from institutional support and student fees. College Athletics Directors typically earn between $101,600 and $176,800, with a median salary of $130,800.
Athletic Directors can earn significant salaries, with a minimum of $101,600, a mid-range of $130,800, and a maximum of $176,800. While cities like Portland, OR ($112,783) and San Diego, CA ($112,142) offer competitive pay, the overall salary range indicates that many locations provide opportunities for higher earnings in this role.
A D1 owner can expect to earn a salary ranging from $101,600 to $176,800, with a median salary of $130,800. This competitive compensation reflects the potential for significant revenue generation, as franchise owners can achieve average revenues of $808,219, with top locations exceeding $1.5 million annually.
Ivy League athletic directors typically earn between $101,600 and $176,800, with a median salary around $130,800. While some may earn more, this range reflects the general compensation for athletic directors in prestigious institutions.
Athletic directors at D1 schools typically earn between $101,600 and $176,800 annually, with a median salary of around $130,800. In California, the average yearly salary for a College Athletics Director is approximately $144,200, reflecting the competitive nature of the role in the collegiate sports landscape.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
