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AASA's 2024-25 Superintendent Salary & Benefits Study

The recent findings from AASA, The School Superintendents Association, reveal important shifts in the landscape of school district leadership. The 13th annual Superintendent Salary and Benefits Study was released on April 1, 2025, providing critical insights into the evolving demographic and compensation landscape for superintendents across the United States.

According to the report, there is a noticeable trend of younger individuals stepping into the superintendent role. In the latest study, 34.38% of superintendents were aged between 41-50, marking an increase from 29.83% recorded a decade earlier in 2012. In contrast, the representation of superintendents aged 60 and above has dropped significantly from 19.48% in 2012 to just 9.87% in 2024-2025.

The report, based on feedback from 2,077 superintendents across 49 states, indicates that the median age for superintendents remains at 52, consistent with the previous year's findings. Notably, 38.01% of respondents were aged 50 or younger, a rise from 34.71% in the preceding study. David R. Schuler, AASA's executive director, emphasizes the importance of ongoing data collection for understanding the changing dynamics of school leadership, contributing to a broader narrative on educational progress and challenges.

Key Findings

The demographic breakdown from the survey presents some compelling insights. Among the respondents, females accounted for 26.47% while males constituted 73.19%. Interestingly, female superintendents earned 99.16% of their male counterparts' salaries in the 2024-2025 findings. This significant data point reflects ongoing discussions around gender equity in educational leadership roles.

In terms of experience, almost 52% of the surveyed superintendents reported having over five years of experience in their current positions. However, the report indicated a disparity in experience levels between genders: approximately 57% of female superintendents had five years or less experience, in comparison to just over 44% of male superintendents.

Salary Insights

Despite a decade of overall salary increases for superintendents, the data suggests that these figures have not kept pace with inflation. In 2013, the mean reported salary stood at $131,171, while the median salary was $123,775. Adjusting for inflation would suggest that by 2024, the mean salary ought to be $175,679, which is about $6,336 higher than the current reported mean. Similarly, the inflation-adjusted median of $165,773 is $7,052 greater than this year’s reported median salary. This indicates a significant decline in real wages for superintendents over the last decade, revealing an urgent need for discussions about compensation in education.

Additionally, the findings highlight that superintendents with advanced degrees, such as an EdD or PhD, tend to command higher median salaries than those without a terminal degree, reflecting the added value of educational qualifications in leadership roles.

Future Trends

Looking ahead, a promising 90% of respondents indicated their intention to remain in their current district as superintendents next year (2025-2026). Furthermore, nearly 93% expressed their desire to continue in the superintendent position for the 2025-2026 school year, reflecting stability in educational leadership during a time of significant transition.

In conclusion, the 2024-2025 AASA Salary and Benefits Study provides valuable insight into the changing demographics and compensation trends of school superintendents. As educational leaders continue to navigate challenges and opportunities, this data will play a crucial role in advocating for necessary changes in the field of education.

For more detailed information, you can access a full copy of the study at AASA's official website. AASA, founded in 1865, is dedicated to supporting and developing effective school system leaders committed to equitable access to quality education for all students.