Program Administrative Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Program Administrative Manager make in the United States?

As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for a Program Administrative Manager in the United States is $144,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $176,860
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $131,600 to $161,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $120,310
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Key Factors That Influence Program Administrative Manager Salaries

A Program Administrative Manager'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 Program Administrative Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Program Administrative Manager'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): $139,373
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $139,928
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $140,854
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $142,149
  • Expert (over 8 years): $144,000
Levels Salary
Entry Level Program Administrative Manager$139,373
Intermediate Level Program Administrative Manager$139,928
Senior Level Program Administrative Manager$140,854
Specialist Level Program Administrative Manager$142,149
Expert Level Program Administrative Manager$144,000

Top Paying Cities for Program Administrative Managers

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: $181,700
  • San Francisco: $179,700
  • Oakland: $175,900

What Skills Can Increase a Program Administrative Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 9.53% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 1.25% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.01% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.53%
Scrum 1.25%
Continuous Improvement 1.01%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Program Administrative Manager's salary.

  • Software Development: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Scrum: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Product Development: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Software Development $155,520
8%
Scrum $154,080
7%
Product Development $154,080
7%

Program Administrative Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Program Administrative Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $160,714. While startup companies pay approximate $136,117.

Program Administrative Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $136,117
Growth Stage 51~500 $143,913
Established 501~5000 $155,183
Enterprise 5000+ $160,714

Program Administrative Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Program Administrative Manager 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, Program Administrative Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Program Administrative Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Program Administrative Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$187,200$90.030%
Pharmaceuticals$180,000$87.025%
Financial Services$172,800$83.020%
Internet$167,040$80.016%
Biotechnology$165,600$80.015%

How Education impacts a Program Administrative Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Program Administrative Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Program Administrative Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $142,497 and $154,328).

Program Administrative Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Program Administrative Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 4.0%
Associates 3.4%
Bachelors 37.5%
Masters 51.7%
Doctorate 3.1%

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

Understanding how a Program Administrative Manager'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.

Last Updated on November 01, 2026
$131,600
Average $144,000/year
$161,200
$10,967
Average $12,000/month
$13,433
$2,531
Average $2,769/week
$3,100
$63
Average $69/hour
$78
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $161,200 $13,433 $3,100 $78
Average $144,000 $12,000 $2,769 $69
25th Percentile $131,600 $10,967 $2,531 $63

Program Administrative Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Program Administrative Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Program Administrative Manager Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Manufacturing Program Management Senior Manager $152,100 6%
Engineering Program Improvement Management Senior Manager $178,000 24%
Internal Project Management Manager, Sr. $171,400 19%
Project Control and Oversight Senior Manager $178,500 24%

Most common benefits for Program Administrative Manager

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

Common company salaries for Program Administrative Manager

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

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FAQ about Program Administrative Manager

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Program Administrative Manager roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the salary of a Program Manager in the US?

The salary for a Program Administrative Manager in the US ranges from $131,400 to $175,300 per year, with a midpoint salary of $152,700. These figures reflect the competitive compensation for this role, highlighting the value placed on program management expertise in various industries.

3. What is the lowest paid project manager?

While salary data for Project Managers varies widely, the lowest paid Program Administrative Manager earns a minimum salary of $131,400. In contrast, the mid-range salary is $152,700, with top earners making up to $175,300 annually. This reflects a more specialized role compared to general project management positions.

4. Which company pays program managers the most?

The best companies for program managers to work for in 2024 are Microsoft and Amazon. If you are looking for the best-paying companies for program managers, you should consider those offering salaries ranging from $131,400 to $175,300, with a median salary of $152,700. These figures highlight the competitive compensation in this field.

5. How much do administrative project managers make?

Administrative Project Managers typically earn between $131,400 and $175,300 annually, with a median salary of $152,700. While some cities like Palo Alto and San Francisco offer competitive salaries around $94,000, the overall compensation for this role is significantly higher, reflecting the responsibilities and expertise required.

6. What is the salary of Program Manager in Amazon?

Employees at Amazon as Program Administrative Manager earn a salary ranging from $131,400 to $175,300, with a midpoint of $152,700. This reflects a competitive compensation structure, ensuring that top talent is rewarded appropriately within the organization.

7. How much do administrative managers make in the US?

In the US, the salary for a Program Administrative Manager ranges from a minimum of $131,400 to a maximum of $175,300, with a mid-range salary of $152,700. This reflects a more competitive compensation compared to general administrative managers, whose average salary is around $70,756.

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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