Administrative Program Director Salary in the United States

How much does an Administrative Program Director make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Administrative Program Director in the United States is $150,772 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $186,660
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $137,562 to $169,557
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $125,535

Key Factors That Influence Administrative Program Director Salaries

An Administrative Program Director'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 Administrative Program Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Administrative Program Director'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): $142,115
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $142,684
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $143,633
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $144,961
  • Expert (over 8 years): $146,859
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Administrative Program Director less than 1 year $142,115
Early Career Level Administrative Program Director 1-2 years $142,684
Mid-Level Level Administrative Program Director 2-4 years $143,633
Senior-Level Level Administrative Program Director 5-8 years $144,961
Expert Level Administrative Program Director over 8 years $146,859

Top Paying Cities for Administrative Program Director

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: $190,169
  • San Francisco: $188,087
  • Oakland: $184,123

Administrative Program Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Administrative Program Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 68% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Administrative Program Director positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Administrative Program Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Administrative Program Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $196,004 $94.0 30%
Pharmaceuticals $188,465 $91.0 25%
Financial Services $180,926 $87.0 20%
Internet $174,896 $84.0 16%
Biotechnology $173,388 $83.0 15%

How Education impacts an Administrative Program Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Administrative Program Director professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Administrative Program Director with a Bachelor's is between $143,102 and $154,962.

Administrative Program Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Administrative Program Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.3%
High School 4%
Associate's Degree 3.4%
Bachelor's Degree 37.5%
Master's Degree or MBA 51.7%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 3.1%

Administrative Program Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Administrative Program Director'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
$137,562
Average $150,772/year
$169,557
$11,464
Average $12,564/month
$14,130
$2,645
Average $2,899/week
$3,261
$66
Average $72/hour
$82
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $169,557 $14,130 $3,261 $82
Average $150,772 $12,564 $2,899 $72
25th Percentile $137,562 $11,464 $2,645 $66

Most common benefits for Administrative Program Director

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

Common company salaries for Administrative Program Director

Here are companies hiring for Administrative Program Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Administrative Program Director Job

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

  • FACCES | Columbus, OH

    FACCES | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job. Title. Food Pillar Director. Location. FACCES (The Family Adolescent & Child Community Engagement Service). Position... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Trinity Health | Columbus, OH

    Trinity Health | Columbus, OH

    CRNA Program Director, Mount Carmel College of Nursing. Mount Carmel College of Nursing seeks an experienced CRNA educator and academic leader to serve as ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • America Votes | Columbus, OH

    America Votes | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Organization OverviewAmerica Votes works year-round to build a more representative democracy, strengthen every American's... more

    5 Days Ago

  • B & F Healthcare Services | Columbus, OH

    B & F Healthcare Services | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. About the Role. Join B & F Healthcare Services as a Program Director, where you will contribute to the health and happine... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Managing Director, In-Service Program Implementation. About the Company. Influential organization combatting educational inequity. Industry. Educati... more

    18 Days Ago

  • Trinity Health | Columbus, OH

    Trinity Health | Columbus, OH

    Mount Carmel, a member of Trinity Health and one of the premier health systems in central Ohio, is seeking a BC/BE Internal Medicine Physician to join our ... more

    6 Days Ago

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FAQ about Administrative Program Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Administrative Program Director?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Administrative Program Director roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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