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Administrative Program Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does an Administrative Program Specialist make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Administrative Program Specialist in the United States is $74,171 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,345
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,084 to $84,208
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,721
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Administrative Program Specialist Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Administrative Program Specialist Salaries

An Administrative Program Specialist'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 Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Administrative Program Specialist'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): $67,430
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $68,042
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $69,021
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $70,856
  • Expert (over 8 years): $73,753
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Administrative Program Specialist less than 1 year $67,430
Early Career Level Administrative Program Specialist 1-2 years $68,042
Mid-Level Level Administrative Program Specialist 2-4 years $69,021
Senior-Level Level Administrative Program Specialist 5-8 years $70,856
Expert Level Administrative Program Specialist over 8 years $73,753

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

  • District of Columbia: $82,122.
  • California: $81,811.
  • Massachusetts: $80,720.

Top Paying Cities for Administrative Program Specialist

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: $93,552
  • San Francisco: $92,527
  • Oakland: $90,578

Administrative Program Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Administrative Program Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Administrative Program Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Administrative Program Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Administrative Program Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet $92,714 $45.0 25%
Pharmaceuticals $85,297 $41.0 15%
Biotechnology $81,588 $39.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $81,588 $39.0 10%
Telecom $81,588 $39.0 10%

How Education impacts an Administrative Program Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Administrative Program Specialist 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 Administrative Program Specialist with a high school is between $74,274 and $78,391.

Administrative Program Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Administrative Program Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 7.8%
High School 27.4%
Associate's Degree 20.5%
Bachelor's Degree 37.3%
Master's Degree or MBA 6.7%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.2%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Administrative Program Specialist'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 September 01, 2026
$66,084
Average $74,171/year
$84,208
$5,507
Average $6,181/month
$7,017
$1,271
Average $1,426/week
$1,619
$32
Average $36/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $84,208 $7,017 $1,619 $40
Average $74,171 $6,181 $1,426 $36
25th Percentile $66,084 $5,507 $1,271 $32

Most common benefits for Administrative Program Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Administrative Program Specialist

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

Find Your Next Administrative Program Specialist Job

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

  • Franklin County Public Health | Columbus, OH

    Environmental Health Program Specialist

    Franklin County Public Health | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Why Work Here. Be Valued. As a public service agency, we know our greatest assets are the people behind the service.  We ... more

    4 Days Ago

  • ViaQuest | Columbus, OH

    Disabilities Program Specialist

    ViaQuest | Columbus, OH

    A Great Opportunity$17.25 - Full TimeAt ViaQuest Day & Employment Services we provide support to individuals with developmental disabilities within our Day... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Miller Pipeline | Columbus, OH

    Columbus, OH - Administrative Specialist

    Miller Pipeline | Columbus, OH

    Do you want to help make a difference in building America's infrastructure. Since 1953, Miller Pipeline has been a leader in building and maintaining Ameri... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Defense Finance and Accounting Service | Columbus, OH

    ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SPECIALIST

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service | Columbus, OH

    Summary This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment. Responsibilities Conduc... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Ohio Jobs | Columbus, OH

    PASRR Program Coordinator

    Ohio Jobs | Columbus, OH

    PASRR Program Coordinator (Rehabilitation Program Specialist 2). Organization: Behavioral Health Agency Contact Information: amparo.francetic@dbh.ohio.gov.... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Chase | Columbus, OH

    Asset Management

    Chase | Columbus, OH

    Investment Specialist AssociateAs an Investment Specialist Associate in the J.P. Morgan Alternative Asset Management team within Global Alternatives Invest... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Administrative Program Specialist

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

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Administrative Program Specialist 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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