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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Program Officer in California is $75,717 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, a Program Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Program Officer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $85,916 | $7,160 | $1,652 | $41 |
| Average | $75,717 | $6,310 | $1,456 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,696 | $5,641 | $1,302 | $33 |
Button Finance, Inc - Santa Ana, CA
Stratolaunch - Mojave, CA
Button Finance, Inc - Newport Beach, CA
Homeless Children's Network - San Francisco, CA
A Program Officer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Program Officer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Non-Profi... Level Program Officer | $54,750 |
| Program O... Level Program Officer | $74,968 |
| Non-Profi... Level Program Officer | $88,893 |
| Non-Profi... Level Program Officer | $94,946 |
| Non-Profi... Level Program Officer | $106,464 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Program Officer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Program Officer positions in MFG Nondurable or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Program Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $106,004 | $51.0 | 40% |
| Insurance | $98,433 | $47.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $90,861 | $44.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $83,289 | $40.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Program Officer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $85,916 | $7,160 | $1,652 | $41 |
| Average | $75,717 | $6,310 | $1,456 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,696 | $5,641 | $1,302 | $33 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Program Officer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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