AASA Releases 2019-20 Superintendent Salary Study

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
James Minichello
703-875-0723
703-774-6953 (cell)
jminichello@aasa.org

Alexandria, Va. – Feb. 26, 2020 – As the nation celebrates Public Schools Week, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is pleased to release its eighth annual superintendents salary study to gauge school district leadership compensation and benefits.

The report, 2019-20 AASA Superintendent Salary & Benefits Study, was released in two versions: a full version for AASA members and an abridged version for wider circulation. The current study is based on more than 1,300 responses. 

“Our survey helps us examine the critical demands of urban, suburban and rural school system leaders as we continue to foster leadership programs in order for our superintendents to excel on the job,” said Daniel A. Domenech, AASA executive director. “The data generated in this report provide important benchmarks when comparing how leaders of other industries are compensated. We view this document as an important resource not only for superintendents, but for those aspiring to reach the superintendency.”  

• A superintendent’s median salary ranged from $117,500 to $338,709, depending on district enrollment (size).
• Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of the respondents, regardless of gender, indicated that their district is best described as rural, while just more than a quarter describe their district as suburban. This is closely aligned with data from the National Center on Education Statistics.
• In 2013, 49.6 percent of the respondents described their districts as economically stable, while 43.1 percent of respondents described their districts as in declining economic conditions. Since then, district economic conditions have improved steadily, albeit not dramatically.
• More than half of respondents have served in their present position for less than five years, with less than 11 percent surpassing 10 years.
• Less than one-third (23 percent) of the sample consisted of females, while 75 percent of respondents were male superintendents.
• Respondents were predominantly white (92 percent), followed by African American (2.86 percent), Hispanic (2 percent), American Indian (1.11 percent) and Asian (.16 percent).

Click here to access a copy of the 2019-20 AASA Superintendent Salary & Benefits Study. AASA members can access the full, member-only version through my.AASA.org.

For specific questions about the report, contact Noelle Ellerson Ng, AASA associate executive director, advocacy & governance, at nellerson@aasa.org. 

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About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.