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Academic Program Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does an Academic Program Assistant make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Academic Program Assistant in the United States is $53,159 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $65,114
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,985 to $59,417
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,275
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Academic Program Assistant Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Academic Program Assistant Salaries

An Academic Program Assistant'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Academic Program Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Academic Program Assistant'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): $48,854
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $49,249
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $52,029
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $55,158
  • Expert (over 8 years): $56,636
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Academic Program Assistant less than 1 year $48,854
Early Career Level Academic Program Assistant 1-2 years $49,249
Mid-Level Level Academic Program Assistant 2-4 years $52,029
Senior-Level Level Academic Program Assistant 5-8 years $55,158
Expert Level Academic Program Assistant over 8 years $56,636

How Do Academic Program Assistant 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 Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $58,858.
  • California: $58,635.
  • Massachusetts: $57,853.

Top Paying Cities for Academic Program Assistant

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:

  • San Jose: $67,050
  • San Francisco: $66,316
  • Oakland: $64,918

Academic Program Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Academic Program Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Academic Program Assistant positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Academic Program Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Academic Program Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $66,449 $32.0 25%
Internet $63,791 $31.0 20%
Software & Networking $63,791 $31.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $61,133 $29.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $58,475 $28.0 10%

How Education impacts an Academic Program Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Academic Program Assistant professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Academic Program Assistant with a high school is between $51,605 and $54,784.

Academic Program Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Academic Program Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1.2%
High School 35.1%
Associate's Degree 20.5%
Bachelor's Degree 39.2%
Master's Degree or MBA 3.9%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.1%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Academic Program Assistant'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$47,985
Average $53,159/year
$59,417
$3,999
Average $4,430/month
$4,951
$923
Average $1,022/week
$1,143
$23
Average $26/hour
$29
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $59,417 $4,951 $1,143 $29
Average $53,159 $4,430 $1,022 $26
25th Percentile $47,985 $3,999 $923 $23

Most common benefits for Academic Program Assistant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Academic Program Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Academic Program Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Academic Program Assistant Job

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

  • North Central Mental Health Services, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Residential Group Home Program Assistant

    North Central Mental Health Services, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Full-time residential group home program assistant position reporting to the Residential Program Director.  Position is n... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Vision to Learn | Columbus, OH

    Program Manager

    Vision to Learn | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Vision To Learn. POSITION TITLE. Program Manager. LOCATION: Columbus. REPORTS TO. Director of Operations. COMPENSATION: $... more

    5 Days Ago

  • ClearanceJobs | Columbus, OH

    PROGRAM ANALYST

    ClearanceJobs | Columbus, OH

    Job TitlePosition is responsible for establishing and managing the Center's training programs and providing program management support in all phases of a p... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Forgent | Columbus, OH

    Program Manager

    Forgent | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Location: Columbus, OH. Program Manager | Electrical Power Distribution. Results-driven Program Manager with... more

    7 Days Ago

  • ComResource | Columbus, OH

    Program Director

    ComResource | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. ComResource is looking for a Program Director. Responsibilities. Manage programs with budgets of $50M or more. Serve as a... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Columbus Partnership | Columbus, OH

    Program Manager ConnectUS

    Columbus Partnership | Columbus, OH

    About the Columbus Partnership. The Columbus Partnership is a nonprofit organization of CEOs from Columbus’ leading businesses and institutions. Through ou... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Academic Program Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Academic Program Assistant?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Academic Program Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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