Program Instructor Salary in the United States

How much does a Program Instructor make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Program Instructor in the United States is $67,270 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,337
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,296 to $75,680
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,035
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View as table View as graph 25% $59,296 10% $52,035 90% $83,337 75% $75,680 $67,270 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Program Instructor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $75,680 $6,307 $1,455 $36
Average $67,270 $5,606 $1,294 $32
25th Percentile $59,296 $4,941 $1,140 $29
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Key Factors That Influence Program Instructor Salaries

A Program Instructor'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 Program Instructor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Program Instructor'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): $66,495
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $66,716
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $69,620
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $73,476
  • Expert (over 8 years): $73,752
Levels Salary
Entry Level Program Instructor$66,495
Intermediate Level Program Instructor$66,716
Senior Level Program Instructor$69,620
Specialist Level Program Instructor$73,476
Expert Level Program Instructor$73,752
$66,495 0 yr
$66,716 < 2 yrs
$69,620 2-4 yrs
$73,476 5-8 yrs
$73,752 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Program Instructor 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 Program Instructors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $74,482.
  • California: $74,199.
  • Massachusetts: $73,210.

Top Paying Cities for Program Instructors

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: $84,848
  • San Francisco: $84,014
  • Oakland: $82,150

What Skills Can Increase a Program Instructor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Coordination (Mentioned in 7.12% Job Postings): Ability to plan, execute, and adjust job duties to achieve business goals.
  • Administrative Support (Mentioned in 2.12% Job Postings): Administrative support means technical assistance, studies, surveys, or securing volunteers to assist the department in fulfilling its administrative responsibilities.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.66% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Coordination 7.12%
Administrative Support 2.12%
PowerPoint 1.66%
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 Program Instructor's salary.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management
$71,979
7%
Program Management
$71,307
6%
Collaboration
$69,961
4%
Analysis
$69,961
4%
Logistics
$69,961
4%
Business Administration
$69,961
4%
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Program Instructor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Program Instructor'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

Salary Trends for Program Instructor

Salaries for a Program Instructor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $57,492 in 2023 to around $57,723 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Program Instructor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Program Instructor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$57,492
2024
$57,961
2025
$57,723
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $57,492
2024 $57,961
2025 $57,723
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Program Instructor

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Program Instructor

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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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