Salary AI Book a Demo

Program Specialist II Salary in the United States

How much does a Program Specialist II make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Program Specialist II in the United States is $115,046 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $134,212
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $102,327 to $125,078
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,747
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Program Specialist II Salaries

A Program Specialist II'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 Program Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Program Specialist II'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): $109,398
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $109,987
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,362
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $115,046
  • Expert (over 8 years): $117,997
Levels Salary
Entry Level Program Specialist II$109,398
Intermediate Level Program Specialist II$109,987
Senior Level Program Specialist II$111,362
Specialist Level Program Specialist II$115,046
Expert Level Program Specialist II$117,997
View as Graph

How Do Program Specialist II 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 Specialist IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $127,379.
  • California: $126,896.
  • Massachusetts: $125,205.

Top Paying Cities for Program Specialist IIs

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: $145,108
  • San Francisco: $143,519
  • Oakland: $140,494

What Skills Can Increase a Program Specialist II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 7.59% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Service Quality (Mentioned in 2.43% Job Postings): Service quality is a measure of how an organization delivers its services compared to the expectations of its customers.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 1.68% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 7.59%
Service Quality 2.43%
First Aid 1.68%
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 Program Specialist II's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $127,701
11%
Program Management $126,551
10%
Commitment $123,099
7%
Get Latest Data

Program Specialist II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Program Specialist II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Program Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Program Specialist II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Program Specialist II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$138,055$66.020%

How Education impacts a Program Specialist II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Program Specialist IIs 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 Program Specialist II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $110,084 and $120,654).

Program Specialist II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Program Specialist II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.7%
High School 7.0%
Associates 3.5%
Bachelors 36.2%
Masters 48.5%
Doctorate 3.1%
View as Graph

Program Specialist II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Program Specialist II'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
$102,327
Average $115,046/year
$125,078
$8,527
Average $9,587/month
$10,423
$1,968
Average $2,212/week
$2,405
$49
Average $55/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $125,078 $10,423 $2,405 $60
Average $115,046 $9,587 $2,212 $55
25th Percentile $102,327 $8,527 $1,968 $49

Most common benefits for Program Specialist II

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

Common company salaries for Program Specialist II

Here are companies hiring for Program Specialist II and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Program Specialist II Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Program Specialist II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Program Specialist II?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Program Specialist II 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst