Project Administration Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Project Administration Director make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Administration Director in the United States is $171,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $82.

However, a Project Administration Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $204,241
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $157,890 to $188,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $145,781
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Recruit with AI
View as table View as graph 25% $157,890 10% $145,781 90% $204,241 75% $188,490 $171,190 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Project Administration Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $188,490 $15,708 $3,625 $91
Average $171,190 $14,266 $3,292 $82
25th Percentile $157,890 $13,158 $3,036 $76
Check out Project Administration Director Job Openings in the United States
Project Director

SOSi - WASHINGTON, DC

Project Director

Olgoonik Corporation - COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

Project Director

Olgoonik Corporation - FAIRFAX, VA

Project Director

SOSi - ATLANTA, GA

Search More Project Administration Director Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Project Administration Director Salaries

A Project Administration 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Project Administration Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Administration 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:

  • Internal Project Management/Consulting IV (7+ years): $130,599
  • Internal Project Management/Consulting V (7-10 years): $154,014
  • Internal Project Management Supervisor (10+ years): $109,878
  • Internal Project Management Manager (10+ years): $146,889
  • Project Administration Director (10+ years): $171,180
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Internal Project Management/Consulting IV7+ years$130,599
Internal Project Management/Consulting V7-10 years$154,014
Internal Project Management Supervisor10+ years$109,878
Internal Project Management Manager10+ years$146,889
Project Administration Director10+ years$171,180
$130,599 Internal ...
$154,014 Internal ...
$109,878 Internal ...
$146,889 Internal ...
$171,180 Project A...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Project Administration Directors

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: $215,990
  • San Francisco: $213,790
  • Oakland: $209,090

What Skills Can Increase a Project Administration Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 21.53% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Risk Mitigation (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): Assessing, monitoring, and controlling risk and its probabilities using automation controls to minimize the potential financial risks and improve the organization's processes.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 21.53%
SOP 1.61%
Risk Mitigation 1.31%
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 Project Administration Director's salary.
  • Drug Development: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Risk Mitigation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Contingency Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Drug Development
$184,885
8%
Risk Mitigation
$179,750
5%
Contingency Planning
$179,750
5%
Line Management
$179,750
5%
Pharmaceutical Industry
$179,750
5%
Coaching
$179,750
5%
Get Latest Data

How Education impacts a Project Administration Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Project Administration Directors enter the field with a Associate'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 Project Administration Director with a Associate's Degree is between $167,183 and $178,030).

Project Administration Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Project Administration Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 4.2%
Associates 3.9%
Bachelors 37.6%
Masters 48.2%
Doctorate 5.3%
view as graph

Project Administration Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Project Administration 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.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Project Administration Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Project Administration Director, 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.

Project Administration Director Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Engineering Program Improvement Management Director $210,000 23%
Director of Corporate Programs Oversight $188,200 10%

Salary Trends for Project Administration Director

Salaries for a Project Administration Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $177,647 in 2023 to around $172,723 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Project Administration Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Project Administration Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$177,647
2024
$176,163
2025
$172,723
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $177,647
2024 $176,163
2025 $172,723
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Project Administration Director

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

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Project Administration Director

Here are companies hiring for Project Administration Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Project Administration Director Job

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

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Project Administration Director

1. Do you need a degree to be a PMO?

A bachelor's degree in project management, business, or a related field is generally required for a PMO manager role. Relevant skills can be developed through various educational backgrounds. The salary for a Project Administration Director typically ranges from $160,990 to $196,990, with a mid-point of $178,690.

2. Can you make six figures in project management?

Yes, you can definitely make six figures in project management. For a Project Administration Director, salaries range from $160,990 to $196,990, with a mid-salary of $178,690. This indicates that experienced professionals in this role can earn a substantial income well above six figures.

3. Do directors get paid well?

Directors can earn significantly more than the median wage for producers and directors. For a Project Administration Director, salaries range from a minimum of $160,990 to a maximum of $196,990, with a midpoint of $178,690. This indicates that directors in this specific role are compensated well above the general median wage of $82,510.

4. How much does a PMO lead make?

A Project Administration Director typically earns between $160,990 and $196,990 annually, with a median salary of $178,690. This reflects a significant difference compared to PMO leads, whose median salary in the UK is around £65,750, indicating varying compensation levels based on role and location.

5. How much do administrative project managers make?

Administrative Project Managers typically earn between $160,990 and $196,990 annually, with a mid-salary of $178,690. This range reflects the higher compensation levels for experienced professionals in this field, particularly in major cities where demand is strong.

6. How much does a PMO director make in the US?

As of now, the salary for a Project Administration Director in the United States ranges from $160,990 to $196,990 annually, with a mid-salary of $178,690. This translates to approximately $77.43 to $94.66 per hour, or $3,077 to $3,846 per week.

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.

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
lower level job