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Director of Programs Salary in the United States

How much does a Director of Programs make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director of Programs in the United States is $120,396 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $146,621
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $104,706 to $134,123
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,421
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Director of Programs Salaries

A Director of Programs'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 Director of Programs Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director of Programs'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): $83,642
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,796
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $119,386
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $162,772
  • Expert (over 8 years): $319,749
Levels Salary
Non-Profi... Level Director of Programs$83,642
Non-Profi... Level Director of Programs$93,796
Director ... Level Director of Programs$119,386
Non-Profi... Level Director of Programs$162,772
CEO - Non... Level Director of Programs$319,749
View as Graph

How Do Director of Programs 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 Director of Programs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $133,302.
  • California: $132,797.
  • Massachusetts: $131,027.

Top Paying Cities for Director of Programs

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: $151,855
  • San Francisco: $150,193
  • Oakland: $147,028

What Skills Can Increase a Director of Programs's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 14.22% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Financial Management (Mentioned in 2.23% Job Postings): Financial management focuses on ratios, equities and debts. It is useful for portfolio management,distribution of dividend,capital raising,hedging and looking after fluctuations in foreign currency and product cycles.Financial managers are the people who will do research and based on the research, decide what sort of capital to obtain in order to fund the company's assets as well as maximizing the value of the firm for all the stakeholders. It also refers to the efficient and effective management of money (funds) in such a manner as to accomplish the objectives of the organization. It is the specialized function directly associated with the top management. The significance of this function is not seen in the 'Line' but also in the capacity of the 'Staff' in overall of a company. It has been defined differently by different experts in the field. The term typically applies to an organization or company's financial strategy, while personal finance or financial life management refers to an individual's management strategy. It includes how to raise the capital and how to allocate capital, i.e. capital budgeting. Not only for long term budgeting, but also how to allocate the short term resources like current liabilities. It also deals with the dividend policies of the share holders.
  • Case Management (Mentioned in 1.72% Job Postings): Connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers, resources, and services to ensure they receive optimal, cost-effective care.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 14.22%
Financial Management 2.23%
Case Management 1.72%
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 Director of Programs's salary.

  • Care Management: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Care Management $134,844
12%
Presentation $131,232
9%
Regulatory Compliance $131,232
9%
Get Latest Data

Director of Programs Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director of Programs roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Director of Programs positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Director of Programs as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Director of Programs

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$144,475$69.020%

How Education impacts a Director of Programs's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Director of Programs 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 a Director of Programs with a Bachelor's Degree is between $121,003 and $133,607).

Director of Programs Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Director of Programs
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 3.6%
Associates 4.0%
Bachelors 35.8%
Masters 49.9%
Doctorate 6.4%
View as Graph

Director of Programs Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director of Programs'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
$104,706
Average $120,396/year
$134,123
$8,726
Average $10,033/month
$11,177
$2,014
Average $2,315/week
$2,579
$50
Average $58/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $134,123 $11,177 $2,579 $64
Average $120,396 $10,033 $2,315 $58
25th Percentile $104,706 $8,726 $2,014 $50

Most common benefits for Director of Programs

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

Common company salaries for Director of Programs

Here are companies hiring for Director of Programs and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Director of Programs

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Director of Programs?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Director of Programs 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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