Salary AI Book a Demo

Administrative Program Director Salary in California

How much does an Administrative Program Director make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Administrative Program Director in California is $166,328 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $80.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $205,927
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $151,731 to $187,056
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $138,441
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Administrative Program Director Job Openings in California

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 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): $156,765
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $157,395
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $158,444
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $159,912
  • Expert (over 8 years): $162,010
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Administrative Program Director less than 1 year $156,765
Early Career Level Administrative Program Director 1-2 years $157,395
Mid-Level Level Administrative Program Director 2-4 years $158,444
Senior-Level Level Administrative Program Director 5-8 years $159,912
Expert Level Administrative Program Director over 8 years $162,010

How Do Administrative Program Director 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 Administrative Program Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $166,961.
  • California: $166,328.
  • Massachusetts: $164,111.

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:

  • Los Angeles: $166,615
  • West Hollywood: $166,494
  • Dodgertown: $166,613

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 $216,226 $104.0 30%
Pharmaceuticals $207,910 $100.0 25%
Financial Services $199,594 $96.0 20%
Internet $192,940 $93.0 16%
Biotechnology $191,277 $92.0 15%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$151,731
Average $166,328/year
$187,056
$12,644
Average $13,861/month
$15,588
$2,918
Average $3,199/week
$3,597
$73
Average $80/hour
$90
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $187,056 $15,588 $3,597 $90
Average $166,328 $13,861 $3,199 $80
25th Percentile $151,731 $12,644 $2,918 $73

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.

  • Steps Therapy Inc | San Francisco, CA

    Program Director

    Steps Therapy Inc | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description.  . Steps Therapy specializes in providing comprehensive programs to enhance a child’s independence. By combining highly-t... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Bright Future Early Learning Center | Oakland, CA

    Program Director

    Bright Future Early Learning Center | Oakland, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Bright Future Early Learning Center is seeking a full-time Program Director to provide daily leadership, supervision, and... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Kiddie Academy | La Verne, CA

    Program Director

    Kiddie Academy | La Verne, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Academy Director - Kiddie Academy. Location. La Verne . Type. Full-Time. Kiddie Academy, a leader in educational child ca... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Westcare | North Highlands, CA

    Program Director

    Westcare | North Highlands, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. POSITION SUMMARY. Person in this position will be responsible for providing the clinical and administrative programmatic ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • AKUA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INC | San Diego, CA

    Program Director

    AKUA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INC | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Program Overview. This program is a 14-bed Crisis Stabilization Mental Health Residential Facility serving h... more

    6 Days Ago

  • NATIVE DIRECTIONS INC | Stockton, CA

    Program Director

    NATIVE DIRECTIONS INC | Stockton, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Title: Program Director. Company. Native C.O.R.E. (Community Outreach, Referral, and Education). Location. Stockton, ... 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