How Much Does a College Recruiter Make in 2025?
A college recruiter plays a flexible but critical role in the selection process by advertising job openings, attending job fairs, interviewing candidates, and recruiting qualified applicants on college campuses. This role often requires a bachelor's degree and involves testing, referring, and placing candidates. Typically, the college recruiter reports to a manager and may handle complex tasks within the function.
Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of human resources specialists, including college recruiters, is expected to grow 8% from 2023 to 2033, outpacing the average growth for all occupations. Around 86,200 openings are projected annually, mainly due to retirements or workers moving to different roles.
In the United States, the average annual salary for college recruiter is $80,790, with top earners earning up to $98,366. Below is an overview of salary ranges, averages, and factors that influence pay for this role.
What is the Average College Recruiter Salary?
As of January 2025, the average annual salary for college recruiter jobs in the United States is $80,790, with an average hourly wage of $39. Hourly rates typically range from $30 to $47.
2025 College Recruiter Average Salary: $80,790 per year ($39 per hour)
The average weekly salary for a college or campus recruiter is $1,554, while the monthly salary averages $6,733.
What is the Pay Range for a College Recruiter?
According to Salary.com, the salary for college recruiter ranges from $63,214 to $98,366 annually, with most earners making between $71,590 and $89,990.
The salary range for a college or recruiter job can vary based on factors such as education, experience, and location, which can influence both starting pay and potential salary growth.
College Recruiter Salary Range: $63,214 to $98,366 per year ($30 to $47 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $30 | $1,216 | $5,268 | $63,214 |
| 25th Percentile | $34 | $1,377 | $5,966 | $71,590 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $39 | $1,554 | $6,733 | $80,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $43 | $1,731 | $7,499 | $89,990 |
| 90th Percentile | $47 | $1,892 | $8,197 | $98,366 |
College Recruiter Salary Factors
As noted, a college recruiter's salary can be influenced by factors like education, location, experience, and skills. Let's take a closer look at each of these.
Years of Experience
The average salary for a full time, college recruiter varies by experience, ranging from $76,435 annually for entry-level positions to $84,405 per year for those with 8+ years of experience.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Average Salary per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level College Recruiter | <1 | $76,435 |
| Intermediate Level College Recruiter | 1-2 | $76,703 |
| Senior Level College Recruiter | 2-4 | $80,106 |
| Specialist Level College Recruiter | 5-8 | $84,118 |
| Expert Level College Recruiter | 8+ | $84,405 |
Place of Work
According to information from the BLS, the industry or workplace can have a significant impact on a college recruiter's salary. For instance, in 2023, a college recruiter working in government earns up to 43.89% more than one in the employment services industry.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Government | $78,290 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $78,260 |
| Manufacturing | $76,200 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | $60,340 |
| Employment services | $54,410 |
Skill Set
College recruiters with skills can boost their salaries. According to the Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, college recruiters with talent sourcing skills earn 11.54% more than those without.
College recruiters with campus recruiting skills are likely to see a salary increase of 7.65% compared to those without. Additionally, skills like talent acquisition, which has a 17.17% demand, are more likely to open up job opportunities due to their higher demand.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Talent Sourcing | 8.09% | 11.54% |
| Campus Recruiting | 12.40% | 7.65% |
| Talent Acquisition | 17.17% | 7.19% |
| Retirement Programs | 10.59% | 6.59% |
| Recruitment and Selection | 5.72% | 4.56% |
| Benefit Programs | 6.00% | 4.36% |
College Recruiter Salary by City and State
The location, whether by city or state, can impact the salary potential for companies and college recruiters. This information can help them pinpoint the best areas for both living and working.
Highest Paying States for College Recruiter
According to Salary.com data, the District of Columbia provides the highest average annual salary for college recruiters in the United States, at $89,890.
- District of Columbia: $89,890 (or $43.22 per hour)
- California: $89,090 (or $42.83 per hour)
- New Jersey: $88,490 (or $42.54 per hour)
- Alaska: $87,990 (or $42.30 per hour)
- Massachusetts: $87,890 (or $42.25 per hour)
College Recruiter Salary by State
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $74,190 |
| Alaska | $87,990 |
| Arizona | $78,690 |
| Arkansas | $73,590 |
| California | $89,090 |
| Colorado | $82,390 |
| Connecticut | $86,790 |
| Delaware | $81,990 |
| District of Columbia | $89,890 |
| Florida | $76,690 |
| Georgia | $78,090 |
| Hawaii | $84,390 |
| Idaho | $75,390 |
| Illinois | $82,590 |
| Indiana | $78,390 |
| Iowa | $77,290 |
| Kansas | $76,890 |
| Kentucky | $75,990 |
| Louisiana | $76,790 |
| Maine | $78,590 |
| Maryland | $83,290 |
| Massachusetts | $87,890 |
| Michigan | $79,690 |
| Minnesota | $82,590 |
| Mississippi | $72,090 |
| Missouri | $76,990 |
| Montana | $75,490 |
| Nebraska | $76,090 |
| Nevada | $81,090 |
| New Hampshire | $82,190 |
| New Jersey | $88,490 |
| New Mexico | $74,490 |
| New York | $86,090 |
| North Carolina | $77,590 |
| North Dakota | $79,990 |
| Ohio | $78,990 |
| Oklahoma | $74,690 |
| Oregon | $82,090 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,590 |
| Rhode Island | $84,290 |
| South Carolina | $76,290 |
| South Dakota | $72,590 |
| Tennessee | $74,790 |
| Texas | $79,090 |
| Utah | $76,790 |
| Vermont | $79,190 |
| Virginia | $80,990 |
| Washington | $87,090 |
| West Virginia | $72,690 |
| Wisconsin | $79,790 |
Highest Paying Cities for College Recruiter
Salary.com reports that San Jose, California provides the highest salary for college recruiters, offering $101,390 per year or $48.75 per hour.
- San Jose, CA: $101,390 (or per $48.75 hour)
- San Francisco, CA: $100,990 (or per $48.55 hour)
- Oakland, CA: $98,490 (or per $47.35 hour)
- New York, NY: $94,290 (or per $45.33 hour)
- Queens Village, NY: $93,690 (or per $45.04 hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a College Recruiter
A college recruiter has several opportunities to increase their salary by gaining more experience, acquiring in-demand skills, and advancing their responsibilities within the role.
- Consider earning additional certifications or master's degree to enhance your qualifications. These might include training in areas such as diversity and inclusion, recruitment marketing, or data analysis, which are highly valued in recruitment.
- As you gain more experience, your salary potential can grow. For example, entry-level college recruiters earn around $57,000 per year, while those with several years of experience can earn significantly more.
- If you're in a position or industry with limited salary potential, consider transitioning to a sector or organization offering better pay. For instance, employers in cities like San Jose, California, pay college recruiters an average annual salary of $101,390, as reported by Salary.com.
- Geographic location plays a significant role in salary levels for college recruiters. Relocating to areas with higher pay, such as the District of Columbia or California, can have a notable impact on your earnings.
- To boost your salary, focus on acquiring highly compensated skills, such as advanced recruitment strategies, employer branding, and talent analytics expertise.
- Know your worth by researching the market salary range for campus recruiters with your experience and qualifications. As of now, salaries for college recruiters in the United States range from around $50,000 to $90,000 per year, with some cities offering even higher pay.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of February 5, 2025, the reported salaries for college recruiters from five leading salary-reporting sites average $60,366.80 (unweighted) across these platforms.
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$80,790/year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$59,755/year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$62,345/year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$56,193/year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$42,751/year
