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Non-Profit Program Executive Director Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Non-Profit Program Executive Director in the United States is $166,525 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $80.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $200,653
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $147,968 to $184,389
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $131,073
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Non-Profit Program Executive Director Salaries

A Non-Profit Program Executive 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 Non-Profit Program Executive Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Non-Profit Program Executive 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:

  • Non-Profit Program Manager I (7+ years): $85,583
  • Non-Profit Program Manager II (7+ years): $95,966
  • Non-Profit Program Associate Director (7+ years): $122,145
  • Non-Profit Program Executive Director (7+ years): $166,525
  • CEO - Non-Profit Organization (7+ years): $247,457
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Non-Profit Program Manager I7+ years$85,583
Non-Profit Program Manager II7+ years$95,966
Non-Profit Program Associate Director7+ years$122,145
Non-Profit Program Executive Director7+ years$166,525
CEO - Non-Profit Organization7+ years$247,457
View as Graph

How Do Non-Profit Program Executive Directors 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 Non-Profit Program Executive Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $184,376.
  • California: $183,677.
  • Massachusetts: $181,229.

Top Paying Cities for Non-Profit Program Executive Director

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: $210,038
  • San Francisco: $207,738
  • Oakland: $203,360

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.74% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Underwriting (Mentioned in 1.85% Job Postings): Underwriting services are provided by some large financial institutions, such as banks, or insurance or investment houses, whereby they guarantee payment in case of damage or financial loss and accept the financial risk for liability arising from such guarantee. An underwriting arrangement may be created in a number of situations including insurance, issue of securities in a public offering, and bank lending, among others. The person or institution that agrees to sell a minimum number of securities of the company for commission is called the underwriter. The name derives from the Lloyd's of London insurance market. Financial bankers, who would accept some of the risk on a given venture (historically a sea voyage with associated risks of shipwreck) in exchange for a premium, would literally write their names under the risk information that was written on a Lloyd's slip created for this purpose.
  • Transaction Processing (Mentioned in 1.09% Job Postings): Transaction processing is information processing in computer science that is divided into individual, indivisible operations called transactions.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.74%
Underwriting 1.85%
Transaction Processing 1.09%
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 Non-Profit Program Executive Director's salary.

  • Product Strategy: Can increase your salary by up to 33%.
  • Product Development: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Trading: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Product Strategy $221,478
33%
Product Development $193,169
16%
Trading $189,839
14%
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Non-Profit Program Executive Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Non-Profit Program Executive Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $177,557. While startup companies pay approximate $151,055.

Non-Profit Program Executive Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $151,055
Growth Stage 51~500 $159,536
Established 501~5000 $171,682
Enterprise 5000+ $177,557

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

For Non-Profit Program Executive Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Non-Profit Program Executive Director positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Non-Profit Program Executive Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Non-Profit Program Executive Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$183,178$88.010%

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

Understanding how a Non-Profit Program Executive 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 August 01, 2026
$147,968
Average $166,525/year
$184,389
$12,331
Average $13,877/month
$15,366
$2,846
Average $3,202/week
$3,546
$71
Average $80/hour
$89
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $184,389 $15,366 $3,546 $89
Average $166,525 $13,877 $3,202 $80
25th Percentile $147,968 $12,331 $2,846 $71

Non-Profit Program Executive Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Non-Profit Program Executive Director

Next Role

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Non-Profit Program Executive 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
Foundation Executive Director $192,398 16%
CEO - Non-Profit Organization $247,457 49%

Most common benefits for Non-Profit Program Executive Director

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

Common company salaries for Non-Profit Program Executive Director

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

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FAQ about Non-Profit Program Executive Director

1. Where can a Non-Profit Program Executive Director earn the most?

A Non-Profit Program Executive Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Non-Profit Program Executive Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Non-Profit Program Executive Director is $210,038.

2. What is the highest pay for Non-Profit Program Executive Director?

The highest pay for Non-Profit Program Executive Director is $200,653.

3. What is the lowest pay for Non-Profit Program Executive Director?

The lowest pay for Non-Profit Program Executive Director is $131,073.

4. What are the responsibilities of Non-Profit Program Executive Director?

Provides leadership, direction, and resources to implement non-profit programs and develop the teams that support the organization's mission, vision, and goals. Ensures that programs operate efficiently and pursues opportunities to expand and develop new programs. Utilizes data-driven analysis and forecasting to measure and evaluate the performance of programs, assesses needs, and ensures that program objectives are achieved. Creates and executes a strategic development plan to help the organization meet its operational and fundraising goals. Responsible for the success of special events, community outreach initiatives, and fundraising activities. Acts as a spokesperson and represents the programs at events. May oversee the grant process. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Non-Profit Program Executive Director?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Non-Profit Program Executive Director roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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