Associate Program Director Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Program Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Program Director in the United States is $175,405 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $84.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $201,043
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $162,002 to $188,825
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $149,799
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View as table View as graph 25% $162,002 10% $149,799 90% $201,043 75% $188,825 $175,405 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Associate Program Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $188,825 $15,735 $3,631 $91
Average $175,405 $14,617 $3,373 $84
25th Percentile $162,002 $13,500 $3,115 $78
Check out Associate Program Director Job Openings in the United States
Program Director

ComResource - Columbus, OH

Program Director - Public Works

CESO, Inc. - Columbus, OH

Director of Nursing Residency Program

Saber Community Support and Development Office - Columbus, OH

Director of Large Program Execution

Blue Star Partners LLC - Columbus, OH

Search More Associate Program Director Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Associate Program Director Salaries

An Associate Program 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Associate Program Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Program 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): $143,669
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $107,812
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $117,000
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $159,379
  • Expert (over 8 years): $174,419
Levels Salary
CRM Progr... Level Associate Program Director$143,669
CRM Progr... Level Associate Program Director$107,812
CRM Progr... Level Associate Program Director$117,000
CRM Progr... Level Associate Program Director$159,379
Associate... Level Associate Program Director$174,419
$143,669 0 yr
$107,812 < 2 yrs
$117,000 2-4 yrs
$159,379 5-8 yrs
$174,419 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $194,208.
  • California: $193,472.
  • Massachusetts: $190,893.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Program 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: $221,238
  • San Francisco: $218,816
  • Oakland: $214,205

What Skills Can Increase an Associate Program Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Insight (Mentioned in 3.66% Job Postings): Insight is the understanding cause and effect based on the identification of relationships and behaviors within a model, context, or scenario.
  • HTML (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): A computer language that used in creating, updating and maintaining text, graphics and links in a website.
  • SQL (Mentioned in 0.86% Job Postings): Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Insight 3.66%
HTML 1.51%
SQL 0.86%
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 an Associate Program Director's salary.
  • Team Building: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Communicates Effectively: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Building
$206,978
18%
Decision Making
$199,962
14%
Communicates Effectively
$199,962
14%
B2B
$196,454
12%
Presentation
$194,700
11%
Relationship Management
$194,700
11%
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Associate Program Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Program Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 57% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Associate Program Director positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Program Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Program Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$210,486$101.020%
Healthcare$206,978$100.018%
Software & Networking$201,716$97.015%
Biotechnology$196,454$94.012%
Pharmaceuticals$196,454$94.012%

How Education impacts an Associate Program Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Program Directors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Associate Program Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $182,066 and $190,529).

Associate Program Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Associate Program Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.2%
High School 2.4%
Associates 4.8%
Bachelors 43.4%
Masters 43.4%
Doctorate 4.8%
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Associate Program Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Program 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

Salary Trends for Associate Program Director

Salaries for an Associate Program Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $172,210 in 2023 to around $164,753 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Associate Program Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Associate Program Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$172,210
2024
$167,609
2025
$164,753
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $172,210
2024 $167,609
2025 $164,753
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Associate Program Director

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

Here are companies hiring for Associate Program Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Associate Program Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Program Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • FACCES

    Columbus, OH

    FACCES | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job. Title. Food Pillar Director. Location. FACCES (The Family Adolescent & Child Community Engagement Service). Position... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Nationwide Children's Hospital

    Columbus, OH

    Nationwide Children's Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, seeks a board-certified neonatologist to lead its Neonatal ECMO program. The hospital houses the largest ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • America Votes

    Columbus, OH

    America Votes | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Organization OverviewAmerica Votes works year-round to build a more representative democracy, strengthen every American's... more

    8 Days Ago

  • The Atchison Group Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    The Atchison Group Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Leadership Development Program (LDP) - Hospitality & Service Industry. Relocation Required. National Corporate Housing | ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Solar United Neighbors

    Columbus, OH

    Solar United Neighbors | Columbus, OH

    Our energy system is on the brink of a major transformation, and we're looking for someone to help us ensure this new system puts rooftop solar energy at t... more

    9 Days Ago

  • B &amp; F Healthcare Services

    Columbus, OH

    B &amp; F Healthcare Services | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. About the Role. Join B & F Healthcare Services as a Program Director, where you will contribute to the health and happine... more

    9 Days Ago

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FAQ about Associate Program Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Associate Program Director?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Associate Program Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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