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Academic Program Assistant Salary in California

How much does an Academic Program Assistant make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Academic Program Assistant in California is $58,635 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): $71,821
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,928 to $65,537
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,732
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): $53,886
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $54,322
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $57,388
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,839
  • Expert (over 8 years): $62,469
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Academic Program Assistant less than 1 year $53,886
Early Career Level Academic Program Assistant 1-2 years $54,322
Mid-Level Level Academic Program Assistant 2-4 years $57,388
Senior-Level Level Academic Program Assistant 5-8 years $60,839
Expert Level Academic Program Assistant over 8 years $62,469

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:

  • Los Angeles: $58,736
  • West Hollywood: $58,693
  • Dodgertown: $58,735

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 $73,293 $35.0 25%
Internet $70,362 $34.0 20%
Software & Networking $70,362 $34.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $67,430 $32.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $64,498 $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 August 01, 2026
$52,928
Average $58,635/year
$65,537
$4,411
Average $4,886/month
$5,461
$1,018
Average $1,128/week
$1,260
$25
Average $28/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $65,537 $5,461 $1,260 $32
Average $58,635 $4,886 $1,128 $28
25th Percentile $52,928 $4,411 $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.

  • 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

  • JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF LOS ANGELES | Los Angeles, CA

    Asst Director Senior Nutrition Program

    JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF LOS ANGELES | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. We all face challenges and transitions in our lives, and when we do, we must be able to count on the strength of communit... more

    9 Days Ago

  • ASCENDtials | San Diego, CA

    Program Assistant

    ASCENDtials | San Diego, CA

    Program Assistant:The Program Assistant is an important in ensuring that all programming is derived from our foundational framework of our curriculum and t... more

    6 Days Ago

  • University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA

    Program Assistant

    University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA

    The USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is seeking a Program Assistant in the Institute for Ethics and Trust in Computing. Th... more

    6 Days Ago

  • La Clinica de La Raza | Oakland, CA

    Program Assistant

    La Clinica de La Raza | Oakland, CA

    Who we are: La Clinica de La Raza is a non-profit, community-based health center established in 1971 to address health barriers and create better lives for... more

    6 Days Ago

  • San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project | San Francisco, CA

    Program Assistant

    San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project | San Francisco, CA

    ABOUTUSThe pretrial stage is a critical juncture in the larger criminal justice process. whether or not someone gets out of custody after arrest is a major... more

    6 Days Ago

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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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