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Program Director (Non-Profit) Salary in the United States

How much does a Program Director (Non-Profit) make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Program Director (Non-Profit) in the United States is $122,180 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

However, a Program Director (Non-Profit)'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $148,621
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,680 to $136,020
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,658
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Program Director (Non-Profit) Salaries

A Program Director (Non-Profit)'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 Director (Non-Profit) Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Program Director (Non-Profit)'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:

  • Non-Profit Program Administration Manager I (7+ years): $85,594
  • Non-Profit Program Administration Manager II (7+ years): $95,984
  • Program Director (Non-Profit) (7+ years): $122,172
  • Senior Director Non-Profit Programs (7+ years): $166,570
  • Chief Executive Officer - Non-Profit Organization (7+ years): $327,209
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Non-Profit Program Administration Manager I7+ years$85,594
Non-Profit Program Administration Manager II7+ years$95,984
Program Director (Non-Profit)7+ years$122,172
Senior Director Non-Profit Programs7+ years$166,570
Chief Executive Officer - Non-Profit Organization7+ years$327,209
View as Graph

How Do Program Director (Non-Profit) 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 Program Director (Non-Profit)s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $135,270.
  • California: $134,760.
  • Massachusetts: $132,960.

Top Paying Cities for Program Director (Non-Profit)s

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: $154,100
  • San Francisco: $152,410
  • Oakland: $149,200

What Skills Can Increase a Program Director (Non-Profit)'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 14.22% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Financial Management (Mentioned in 2.23% Job Postings): Financial management focuses on ratios, equities and debts. It is useful for portfolio management,distribution of dividend,capital raising,hedging and looking after fluctuations in foreign currency and product cycles.Financial managers are the people who will do research and based on the research, decide what sort of capital to obtain in order to fund the company's assets as well as maximizing the value of the firm for all the stakeholders. It also refers to the efficient and effective management of money (funds) in such a manner as to accomplish the objectives of the organization. It is the specialized function directly associated with the top management. The significance of this function is not seen in the 'Line' but also in the capacity of the 'Staff' in overall of a company. It has been defined differently by different experts in the field. The term typically applies to an organization or company's financial strategy, while personal finance or financial life management refers to an individual's management strategy. It includes how to raise the capital and how to allocate capital, i.e. capital budgeting. Not only for long term budgeting, but also how to allocate the short term resources like current liabilities. It also deals with the dividend policies of the share holders.
  • Case Management (Mentioned in 1.72% Job Postings): Connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers, resources, and services to ensure they receive optimal, cost-effective care.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 14.22%
Financial Management 2.23%
Case Management 1.72%
See More Skills

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 Director (Non-Profit)'s salary.

  • Care Management: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Care Management $136,842
12%
Presentation $133,176
9%
Regulatory Compliance $133,176
9%
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Program Director (Non-Profit) Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Program Director (Non-Profit) salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $130,347. While startup companies pay approximate $110,825.

Program Director (Non-Profit) Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $110,825
Growth Stage 51~500 $117,072
Established 501~5000 $126,007
Enterprise 5000+ $130,347

Program Director (Non-Profit) Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Program Director (Non-Profit) roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Program Director (Non-Profit) positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Program Director (Non-Profit) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Program Director (Non-Profit)

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$146,616$70.020%

How Education impacts a Program Director (Non-Profit)'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Program Director (Non-Profit)s 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 Director (Non-Profit) with a Bachelor's Degree is between $120,407 and $132,944).

Program Director (Non-Profit) Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Program Director (Non-Profit)
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 3.6%
Associates 4.0%
Bachelors 35.8%
Masters 49.9%
Doctorate 6.4%
View as Graph

Program Director (Non-Profit) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Program Director (Non-Profit)'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 September 01, 2026
$105,680
Average $122,180/year
$136,020
$8,807
Average $10,182/month
$11,335
$2,032
Average $2,350/week
$2,616
$51
Average $59/hour
$65
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $136,020 $11,335 $2,616 $65
Average $122,180 $10,182 $2,350 $59
25th Percentile $105,680 $8,807 $2,032 $51

Program Director (Non-Profit) Salary Growth & Career Path

Program Director (Non-Profit)

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Program Director (Non-Profit), 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Foundation Fundraising Officer $190,390 56%
Senior Director Non-Profit Programs $166,600 36%
Program Director of Community Social Services $106,000 -13%

Most common benefits for Program Director (Non-Profit)

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

Common company salaries for Program Director (Non-Profit)

Here are companies hiring for Program Director (Non-Profit) and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Program Director (Non-Profit)

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Program Director (Non-Profit)?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Program Director (Non-Profit) roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is a reasonable salary for a nonprofit CEO?

A reasonable salary for a nonprofit CEO typically ranges from $109,240 to $158,240 annually, with a mid-salary of about $130,460. This range reflects the responsibilities and impact of the role, ensuring competitive compensation in the nonprofit sector.

3. Can the owner of a nonprofit take a salary?

Yes, the owner of a nonprofit can take a salary. Non-profit founders often work long hours and may earn between $109,240 and $158,240, depending on their role and the organization's size. It is reasonable for them to draw a salary for their efforts, especially when running the nonprofit is their primary employment.

4. How much money does the CEO of St. Jude's make?

The salary for a Program Director in a non-profit organization typically ranges from $109,240 to $158,240, with a mid-point salary of $130,460. In comparison, the CEO of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, James R. Downing, earns significantly more, with a compensation of $1,546,372, reflecting the higher responsibilities associated with his role.

5. Can a founder of a nonprofit be fired?

Founders Can Be Fired: While founders often hold leadership positions, they serve at the pleasure of the board. The board can replace the founder if they feel it's in the best interest of the organization. In a nonprofit, the Program Director typically earns between $109,240 and $158,240, reflecting the importance of effective leadership.

6. What does a program director do at a non-profit?

A Program Director at a non-profit collaborates with leadership to establish strategic goals and objectives for programs. They address issues between program teams and internal stakeholders, coordinating with program managers to develop detailed implementation plans, including deadlines, milestones, processes, and risk mitigation protocols. The salary for this role ranges from $109,240 to $158,240, with a midpoint of $130,460.

7. How does a director of a nonprofit get paid?

A director of a nonprofit typically receives a salary, which can range from a minimum of $109,240 to a maximum of $158,240, with a mid-range salary of about $130,460. Additionally, they may receive expense reimbursement for costs incurred while fulfilling their responsibilities.

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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