Data That Drives Change: Participate in the 10th Annual Salary Survey for Technology Professionals i
October, 2025 - For the 10th consecutive year, the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS) has partnered with 12M & Ed Tech Recruiting to conduct the annual Salary Survey for Technology Professionals in Schools. Open through November 20, the anonymous survey identifies trends in compensation, job roles, and departmental structures. Its findings fuel the Compensation Benchmark Report for Technology Professionals in Schools, a trusted resource on salaries and responsibilities in independent school technology.
“The survey doesn’t just capture compensation,” said Gabe Lucas, principal of 12M & Ed Tech Recruiting, and co-founder of ATLIS. “It sheds light on how roles are defined, what responsibilities they include, and whether schools are truly resourcing tech departments appropriately.”
Data with impact
The salary survey isn’t just numbers. It provides technology professionals with data-backed evidence for salary and role conversations, while also helping heads of school and CFOs benchmark their own structures and compensation practices.
“In an era where technology underpins every aspect of school life, having the right people in the right roles has never been more critical,” said Christina Lewellen, President and CEO of ATLIS. “Benchmarking through the salary survey helps schools attract and retain the expertise they need to stay safe, innovative, and ahead of change.”
Having the transparency provided by the survey supports fair compensation and ensures school technology leaders are recognized for the full scope of their responsibilities.
What the survey captures
The survey collects salary ranges across the spectrum of school technology roles, from CTOs and IT directors to systems administrators, ed tech coaches, cybersecurity specialists, and support staff. It also tracks how job titles align with responsibilities, reporting structures, and team size, helping schools see whether roles are evolving in step with new technologies like AI and cybersecurity.
“One of the things we’ve added to the survey in recent years is job satisfaction measures,” said Dr. Ashley Cross, ATLIS’s senior director of education and content. “That’s powerful insight for schools looking to attract and retain talent.”
For technology professionals, the findings can directly support career advancement by providing a data-backed roadmap for conversations with school leaders.
“For me, the benchmark report has been critical,” said Rafael Cordero, director of information technology services at The Riviera Ridge School in Santa Barbara, CA. “It helps me explain to my head of school and CFO where my role falls compared to schools of different sizes, and why resources should be allocated appropriately.”
Who should participate
The survey is intended for everyone in the school technology ecosystem, not just senior leaders. Input is sought from CTOs and technology directors, systems administrators, support specialists, instructional technology coaches, data managers, and cybersecurity staff. Each role represented contributes to a more complete, accurate picture of the profession.
Because roles shift quickly in schools, year-over-year participation is especially important. Longitudinal data reveals how responsibilities, benefits, and salaries are changing, and whether schools are keeping pace with broader industry benchmarks.
“In schools, roles shift fast. You may be hired with one job description, but a year or two later, your responsibilities look completely different,” said Cordero. “The survey helps clarify what those titles and workloads really mean.”
Lucas adds, “One of the values of this survey is to help people recognize the nuances of tech leadership in schools, and how compensation is structured. That gives leaders real talking points for critical conversations.”
Confidential and trusted
The survey is anonymous. No individual names or identifiers are collected. Data is then aggregated and published only in the Compensation Benchmark Report for Technology Professionals in Schools.
“Because it’s anonymous and reported in aggregate, people can confidently share their situation,” said Lucas. “This is about self-advocacy and industry advocacy.”
Contribute to the annual survey
At its core, the survey is about building stronger relationships between technology professionals and school leadership, as well as helping shape the future of the profession amidst a rapidly-evolving landscape.
“At the heart of this work is relationships,” Cross said. “The survey creates space for healthier conversations between tech leaders and school leadership.”
“This survey only works when our community shows up,” added Lewellen. “Your input ensures that every role, every school size, and every voice is represented in the data that drives real change.”
The 10th Annual Salary Survey for Technology Professionals in Schools is open through November 20, 2025. School technology professionals can participate at theATLIS.org/salary-survey and are encouraged to share the link with colleagues to ensure every role is represented.
About ATLIS
The Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS) is a growing association dedicated to empowering schools to thrive through technology leadership. Founded in 2014 to address the unique challenges of independent school technology directors, the organization has now expanded to support all aspects of technology at schools, ensuring that they are equipped for the future. Across all dimensions of its practice, ATLIS is also dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive association.
About 12M & Ed Tech Recruiting
12M & Ed Tech Recruiting specializes in running executive searches for senior leadership positions in schools, educational associations, nonprofits, and other mission-driven organizations. Since 2015, 12M & Ed Tech Recruiting has an unparalleled track record of helping hundreds of clients hire outstanding, strategically minded academic and operational leaders across all areas of the executive cabinet. 12M & Ed Tech Recruiting also helps clients design new and unique roles as well as navigate complex restructuring endeavors. Gabriel Lucas, founder of 12M & Ed Tech Recruiting, is also the co-founder of ATLIS.