What are the main factors that influence a Project Administration Director's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Project Administration Director?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Administration Director roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

What are the highest paying states for a Project Administration Director?

Project Administration Director salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Project Administration Director roles are District of Columbia $231,780, California $230,900, Massachusetts $227,820. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Project Administration Director roles make?

Salaries for Project Administration Director level roles vary by specialization: SVP of Project Administration: $296,280; VP of Project Administration: $250,460; Project Management Director: $209,333; Systems Administration Senior Manager: $177,033; Project Administration Manager, Sr.: $171,390.

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Project Administration Director Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Project Administration Director make in District of Columbia?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Administration Director in District of Columbia is $231,780 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $111.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $280,496
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $209,650 to $257,280
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $189,502

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Project Administration Director Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$257,280	$21,440	$4,948	$124
Average	$231,780	$19,315	$4,457	$111
25th Percentile	$209,650	$17,471	$4,032	$101

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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 geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Project Administration Director 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 Project Administration Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $231,780.
California: $230,900.
Massachusetts: $227,820.

District of Columbia $231,780 California $230,900 Massachusetts $227,820 Washington $226,980 New Jersey $226,900 Alaska $226,610 Connecticut $223,720 New York $222,550

Hawaii $218,800 Rhode Island $217,040 Maryland $215,850 Minnesota $214,220 Colorado $213,590 Illinois $213,380 Oregon $212,580 Delaware $212,000

New Hampshire $211,630 Virginia $210,800 Pennsylvania $208,400 Nevada $207,180 North Dakota $206,780 Michigan $206,160 Wisconsin $205,930 Vermont $205,470

Texas $204,190 Maine $204,100 Arizona $203,980 Ohio $203,830 Georgia $201,910 Indiana $200,940 Wyoming $200,760 Utah $200,460

Iowa $200,340 Kansas $199,330 Louisiana $199,040 North Carolina $198,930 Missouri $198,890 Florida $198,080 Montana $197,640 Nebraska $197,220

Kentucky $196,990 South Carolina $196,150 Tennessee $195,630 Idaho $195,420 New Mexico $193,890 Oklahoma $193,550 Alabama $192,320 South Dakota $190,250

Arkansas $189,120 West Virginia $188,510 Mississippi $186,690

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:

Parcel Return Service: $230,520
Washington: $230,520
Naval Anacost Annex: $230,510

Parcel Return Service, DC $230,520 Washington, DC $230,520 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $230,510 Washington Navy Yard, DC $230,520

Project Administration Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Project Administration Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $259,244. While startup companies pay approximate $219,243.

Project Administration Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$219,243
Growth Stage	51~500	$231,884
Established	501~5000	$250,350
Enterprise	5000+	$259,244

Project Administration Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Administration Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Project Administration Director positions in Media or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Administration Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Administration Director

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals	$301,314	$145.0	30%
Software & Networking	$289,725	$139.0	25%
Financial Services	$278,136	$134.0	20%
Internet	$278,136	$134.0	20%
Chemicals	$254,958	$123.0	10%

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 July 01, 2026

$209,650

Average $231,780/year

$257,280

$17,471

Average $19,315/month

$21,440

$4,032

Average $4,457/week

$4,948

$101

Average $111/hour

$124

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$257,280	$21,440	$4,948	$124
Average	$231,780	$19,315	$4,457	$111
25th Percentile	$209,650	$17,471	$4,032	$101

Project Administration Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Project Administration Director

VP of Engineering Program Improvement

VP of Internal Project Management

Head of Program/Project Management Office (PMO)

SVP of Internal Project Management

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
VP of Engineering Program Improvement	$268,400	16%
VP of Internal Project Management	$277,400	20%
Head of Program/Project Management Office (PMO)	$271,350	17%

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