Salary AI Book a Demo

Academic Program Administrator Salary in California

How much does an Academic Program Administrator make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Academic Program Administrator in California is $116,128 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

However, an Academic Program Administrator's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $136,528
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $104,362 to $126,806
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $93,649
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Academic Program Administrator Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Academic Program Administrator Salaries

An Academic Program Administrator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Academic Program Administrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Academic Program Administrator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $74,992
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $102,012
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $113,904
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $141,785
  • Expert (over 8 years): $161,656
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Program Management Office Analyst I less than 1 year $74,992
Program Management Office Analyst II 1-2 years $102,012
Academic Program Administrator 2-4 years $113,904
Program Management Office Analyst IV 5-8 years $141,785
Program Management Office Analyst V over 8 years $161,656

How Do Academic Program Administrator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Academic Program Administrators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $116,570.
  • California: $116,128.
  • Massachusetts: $114,581.

Top Paying Cities for Academic Program Administrator

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $116,328
  • West Hollywood: $116,244
  • Dodgertown: $116,327

Academic Program Administrator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Academic Program Administrator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 49% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Academic Program Administrator positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Academic Program Administrator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Academic Program Administrator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet $145,160 $70.0 25%
Biotechnology $141,676 $68.0 22%
Pharmaceuticals $137,031 $66.0 18%
Energy & Utilities $133,547 $64.0 15%
Insurance $130,064 $63.0 12%

Academic Program Administrator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Academic Program Administrator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$104,362
Average $116,128/year
$126,806
$8,697
Average $9,677/month
$10,567
$2,007
Average $2,233/week
$2,439
$50
Average $56/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $126,806 $10,567 $2,439 $61
Average $116,128 $9,677 $2,233 $56
25th Percentile $104,362 $8,697 $2,007 $50

Find Your Next Academic Program Administrator Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Academic Program Administrator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Balance Staffing | Milpitas, CA

    Program Administrator

    Balance Staffing | Milpitas, CA

    Program Administrator IContract to hireMilpitas, CaliforniaPosted 14 minutes agoJob ID:171860Pay:$40.87/hrBalance StaffingAt Balance Staffing we're obsesse... more

    6 Days Ago

  • JWCH Institute | Los Angeles, CA

    Program Administrator

    JWCH Institute | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Position Purpose. The Program Administrator is responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of the R... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Stanford University | Stanford, CA

    Promoting Academic Communities and Engagement Program Manager

    Stanford University | Stanford, CA

    Promoting Academic Communities and Engagement (PACE) Program ManagerVice Provost for Undergrad Education, Stanford, California, United StatesAdministration... more

    6 Days Ago

  • CSU Fullerton | Fullerton, CA

    Titans After School Program Academic Instructor

    CSU Fullerton | Fullerton, CA

    Salary: $20.00 - $21.00 HourlyLocation : Fullerton, CAJob Type: Part-timeJob Number: 03663Department: Research Grant EmployeesOpening Date: 01/21/2026Closi... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Elwyn | Santa Clarita, CA

    Assistant Program Administrator

    Elwyn | Santa Clarita, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Overview. Join a Team That Changes Lives. For more than 170 years, Elwyn has been leading the way in supporting children,... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Orange County CA | Santa Ana, CA

    Biometric Program Administrator

    Orange County CA | Santa Ana, CA

    Salary : $116,251.20 - $161,012.80 AnnuallyLocation : Orange CountyJob Type: Full-Time RegularJob Number: 8224MA-0226-060 (O)Department: Sheriff-CoronerOpe... more

    6 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst