What Does a Registrar Do?
Registrars manage student records, coordinate course registration, and oversee academic policies at colleges and universities. They ensure the integrity and security of academic data and serve as the official custodian of student transcripts and enrollment records. Registrars work closely with faculty, administrators, and students to support academic operations.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Academic Affairs Vice President (Academic Affairs VP), Academic Dean, Admissions Director, College President, Dean, Financial Aid Director, Institutional Research Director, Provost.
Registrar Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a registrar include:
- Maintain the accuracy and security of all student academic records including grades, transcripts, and enrollment data.
- Coordinate course registration processes, managing scheduling, section capacity, and waitlist procedures.
- Enforce academic policies related to grading, academic standing, course withdrawal, and degree requirements.
- Process degree audits, certify graduation eligibility, and coordinate commencement ceremonies.
- Manage the student information system (SIS) and ensure data integrity across all platforms.
- Comply with FERPA regulations and institutional policies governing the release of student information.
- Generate enrollment reports, retention statistics, and other data for institutional planning and accreditation.
- Collaborate with academic departments to build and publish the course catalog and class schedule.
- Process transfer credit evaluations, academic petitions, and enrollment verifications.
- Train staff and faculty on student records policies, SIS functionality, and compliance requirements.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a registrar, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Student information system management
- FERPA compliance and data privacy
- Academic policy administration
- Data management and reporting
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Organizational and process management
- Communication across departments
- Problem solving and conflict resolution
Education and Training
Registrars typically hold a master degree in higher education administration, student affairs, or a related field. A bachelor degree combined with significant experience in student records or enrollment management may qualify candidates for some positions. Familiarity with student information systems such as Banner, PeopleSoft, or Workday Student is essential. Professional credentials from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) enhance career prospects. Prior experience in an enrollment services or registrar office is expected for leadership positions.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $80,870 - $144,370 per year, with a median of $104,590.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Education Administrators, Postsecondary.
BLS projects employment of education administrators, postsecondary to grow about 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 14,500 openings a year. Demand for registrars is steady, with opportunities arising from retirements and institutional growth. The increasing complexity of enrollment management, transfer articulation, and compliance requirements ensures continued need for skilled professionals. Registrars with expertise in data analytics, student information system administration, and process optimization will be most competitive. The shift to competency-based education and alternative credentialing is creating new challenges and opportunities in this role.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Education administrators, postsecondary.
Registrar Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $64,560 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $80,870 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $104,590 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $144,370 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $215,620 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as education administrators, postsecondary about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 93% use email every day
- 88% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 83% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 77% usually work more than 40 hours a week
- 76% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 73% are on the phone every day
- 68% spend more than half the workday sitting
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Master's degree | 48% |
| Doctoral degree | 37% |
| Bachelor's degree | 8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7% |
Tools and Software Registrars Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy helping, teaching or caring for people as well as leading, persuading and making business decisions.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Monitoring.
Knowledge areas used most: English Language, Administration and Management, Education and Training, Customer and Personal Service, Personnel and Human Resources.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 5 of 5, which means extensive preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for a Registrar Job
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 11-9033.00 (Education Administrators, Postsecondary). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.