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Academic Program Assistant Salary in California

How much does an Academic Program Assistant make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Academic Program Assistant in California is $58,657 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,847
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,948 to $65,561
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,750
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Academic Program Assistant Job Openings in California

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 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): $53,906
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $54,342
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $57,410
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,862
  • Expert (over 8 years): $62,492
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Academic Program Assistant less than 1 year $53,906
Early Career Level Academic Program Assistant 1-2 years $54,342
Mid-Level Level Academic Program Assistant 2-4 years $57,410
Senior-Level Level Academic Program Assistant 5-8 years $60,862
Expert Level Academic Program Assistant over 8 years $62,492

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: $58,880.
  • California: $58,657.
  • Massachusetts: $57,875.

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:

  • Los Angeles: $58,758
  • West Hollywood: $58,715
  • Dodgertown: $58,757

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 $73,321 $35.0 25%
Internet $70,388 $34.0 20%
Software & Networking $70,388 $34.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $67,455 $32.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $64,522 $31.0 10%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$52,948
Average $58,657/year
$65,561
$4,412
Average $4,888/month
$5,463
$1,018
Average $1,128/week
$1,261
$25
Average $28/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $65,561 $5,463 $1,261 $32
Average $58,657 $4,888 $1,128 $28
25th Percentile $52,948 $4,412 $1,018 $25

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.

  • UCLA | Los Angeles, CA

    Academic Program Management Officer

    UCLA | Los Angeles, CA

    GIS For Community Health Program. The GIS for Community Health Program is part of SCYC. Empowering Los Angeles' youth to address the climate crisis, the mi... more

    7 Days Ago

  • University of California | Los Angeles, CA

    Academic Program Management Officer

    University of California | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. The GIS for Community Health Program is part of SCYC. Empowering Los Angeles' youth to address the climate crisis, the mission of SCYC is ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Cedars Sinai | Los Angeles, CA

    Academic Program Coordinator

    Cedars Sinai | Los Angeles, CA

    Academic Program Coordinator. Come join our team. The Academic Program Coordinator is responsible for the complete coordination and administrative activiti... more

    8 Days Ago

  • University of the Pacific | Sacramento, CA

    Academic Assessment&amp Program Support Coordinator

    University of the Pacific | Sacramento, CA

    Posting DetailsPosition InformationJob TitleAcademic Assessment & Program Support CoordinatorUnion LevelDepartmentNursingCampusSacramentoPosting Number2013... more

    4 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

    4 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

    4 Days Ago

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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.

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