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Moderator Salary in the United States

How much does a Moderator make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Moderator in the United States is $39,112 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $44,353
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,753 to $41,855
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,696
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Moderator Salaries

A Moderator'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 Moderator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Moderator'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): $39,578
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $39,895
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $40,520
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $40,645
  • Expert (over 8 years): $40,729
Levels Salary
Entry Level Moderator$39,578
Intermediate Level Moderator$39,895
Senior Level Moderator$40,520
Specialist Level Moderator$40,645
Expert Level Moderator$40,729
View as Graph

How Do Moderator 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 Moderators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $43,304.
  • California: $43,140.
  • Massachusetts: $42,565.

Top Paying Cities for Moderators

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: $49,331
  • San Francisco: $48,791
  • Oakland: $47,763

What Skills Can Increase a Moderator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 6.31% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 3.06% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 1.21% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 6.31%
Hydraulics 3.06%
Packaging 1.21%
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 Moderator's salary.

  • Creativity: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Learning Quickly: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Creativity $46,152
18%
Commitment $43,414
11%
Learning Quickly $42,632
9%
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Moderator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Moderator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Durable and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Moderator positions in Transportation or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Moderator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Moderator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Durable$50,845$24.030%
Construction$46,934$23.020%
Retail & Wholesale$43,023$21.010%

How Education impacts a Moderator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Moderators enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Moderator with a No Diploma is between $38,849 and $42,379).

Moderator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Moderator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 50.0%
High School 50.0%
Associates 50.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Moderator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Moderator'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
$35,753
Average $39,112/year
$41,855
$2,979
Average $3,259/month
$3,488
$688
Average $752/week
$805
$17
Average $19/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $41,855 $3,488 $805 $20
Average $39,112 $3,259 $752 $19
25th Percentile $35,753 $2,979 $688 $17

Most common benefits for Moderator

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

Common company salaries for Moderator

Here are companies hiring for Moderator and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Moderator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Moderator?

The MFG Durable industry offers the highest average compensation for Moderator 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.)

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

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