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Project Administration Director Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Administration Director in the United States is $184,980 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $89.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $206,281
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $168,910 to $196,130
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $154,279
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $175,146
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $176,585
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $178,504
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $181,382
  • Expert (over 8 years): $184,980
Levels Salary
Entry Level Project Administration Director$175,146
Intermediate Level Project Administration Director$176,585
Senior Level Project Administration Director$178,504
Specialist Level Project Administration Director$181,382
Expert Level Project Administration Director$184,980
View as Graph

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: $204,810.
  • California: $204,040.
  • Massachusetts: $201,320.

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: $233,320
  • San Francisco: $230,770
  • Oakland: $225,900

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 $206,723. While startup companies pay approximate $174,866.

Project Administration Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $174,866
Growth Stage 51~500 $184,939
Established 501~5000 $199,617
Enterprise 5000+ $206,723

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$240,474$116.030%
Software & Networking$231,225$111.025%
Financial Services$221,976$107.020%
Internet$221,976$107.020%
Chemicals$203,478$98.010%

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 September 01, 2026
$168,910
Average $184,980/year
$196,130
$14,076
Average $15,415/month
$16,344
$3,248
Average $3,557/week
$3,772
$81
Average $89/hour
$94
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $196,130 $16,344 $3,772 $94
Average $184,980 $15,415 $3,557 $89
25th Percentile $168,910 $14,076 $3,248 $81

Project Administration Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Project Administration Director

Next Role

Advancement

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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
VP of Engineering Program Improvement $242,400 31%
VP of Internal Project Management $212,300 15%
Head of Program/Project Management Office (PMO) $245,130 33%

Most common benefits for Project Administration Director

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

Common company salaries for Project Administration Director

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

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FAQ about Project Administration Director

1. 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.

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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