How much does a Soa make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Soa in the United States is $56,880 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $62,864
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,373 to $60,013
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,179

Key Factors That Influence Soa Salaries

A Soa'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 Soa Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Soa'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): $56,150
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $56,637
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $57,856
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $59,229
  • Expert (over 8 years): $59,474
Levels Salary
Entry Level Soa$56,150
Intermediate Level Soa$56,637
Senior Level Soa$57,856
Specialist Level Soa$59,229
Expert Level Soa$59,474

How Do Soa 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 Soas. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $62,978.
  • California: $62,739.
  • Massachusetts: $61,903.

Top Paying Cities for Soas

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: $71,743
  • San Francisco: $70,958
  • Oakland: $69,462

What Skills Can Increase a Soa's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 5.15% 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.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 6.13% Job Postings): Patient care refers to the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of physical and mental well-being through services offered by health professionals.
  • Medication Administration (Mentioned in 2.21% Job Postings): Medication administration is the direct application of a prescribed medication whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or other means to the body of the individual by an individual legally authorized to do so.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.15%
Patient Care 6.13%
Medication Administration 2.21%

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 Soa's salary.

  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 57%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 52%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 41%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Flexibility $89,302
57%
Integrity $86,458
52%
Leadership $80,201
41%

Soa Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Soa roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 25% above the average. Conversely, Soa positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Soa as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Soa

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$71,100$34.025%

How Education impacts a Soa's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Soas enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Soa with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $54,016 and $56,763).

Soa Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Soa
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 59.8%
Associates 31.7%
Bachelors 5.8%
Masters 1.8%
Doctorate 0.0%

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

Understanding how a Soa'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
$53,373
Average $56,880/year
$60,013
$4,448
Average $4,740/month
$5,001
$1,026
Average $1,094/week
$1,154
$26
Average $27/hour
$29
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $60,013 $5,001 $1,154 $29
Average $56,880 $4,740 $1,094 $27
25th Percentile $53,373 $4,448 $1,026 $26

Most common benefits for Soa

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

Common company salaries for Soa

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

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FAQ about Soa

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Soa?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Soa roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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