Assistant Department Head Salary in the United States

How much does an Assistant Department Head make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Department Head in the United States is $34,640 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $38,183
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31,679 to $36,494
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28,982

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Department Head Salaries

An Assistant Department Head'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 Assistant Department Head Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Department Head'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): $33,097
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $33,202
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $34,382
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $35,103
  • Expert (over 8 years): $35,155
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Assistant Department Head less than 1 year $33,097
Early Career Level Assistant Department Head 1-2 years $33,202
Mid-Level Level Assistant Department Head 2-4 years $34,382
Senior-Level Level Assistant Department Head 5-8 years $35,103
Expert Level Assistant Department Head over 8 years $35,155

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Department Head

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: $43,691
  • San Francisco: $43,213
  • Oakland: $42,302

Assistant Department Head Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Department Head roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 40% above the average. Conversely, Assistant Department Head positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Assistant Department Head as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Assistant Department Head

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $48,496 $23.0 40%

How Education impacts an Assistant Department Head's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assistant Department Head 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 Assistant Department Head with a high school is between $35,160 and $37,049.

Assistant Department Head Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assistant Department Head
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1.7%
High School 78.7%
Associate's Degree 11.4%
Bachelor's Degree 7.6%
Master's Degree or MBA 0.6%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%

Assistant Department Head Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Department Head'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
$31,679
Average $34,640/year
$36,494
$2,640
Average $2,887/month
$3,041
$609
Average $666/week
$702
$15
Average $17/hour
$18
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $36,494 $3,041 $702 $18
Average $34,640 $2,887 $666 $17
25th Percentile $31,679 $2,640 $609 $15

Most common benefits for Assistant Department Head

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

Common company salaries for Assistant Department Head

Here are companies hiring for Assistant Department Head and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Assistant Department Head Job

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

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    5 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Assistant Department Head

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Assistant Department Head?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Assistant Department Head roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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