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Program Staff Salary in the United States

How much does a Program Staff make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Program Staff in the United States is $67,544 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,929
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,391 to $76,644
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $53,878
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Program Staff Salaries

A Program Staff'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.

How Experience Level Affects Program Staff Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Program Staff'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): $50,804
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $66,875
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $79,296
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $84,689
  • Expert (over 8 years): $94,974
Levels Salary
Non-Profi... Level Program Staff$50,804
Program S... Level Program Staff$66,875
Non-Profi... Level Program Staff$79,296
Non-Profi... Level Program Staff$84,689
Non-Profi... Level Program Staff$94,974
View as Graph

How Do Program Staff 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 Stafves. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $74,784.
  • California: $74,501.
  • Massachusetts: $73,508.

Top Paying Cities for Program Stafves

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: $85,193
  • San Francisco: $84,260
  • Oakland: $82,484

What Skills Can Increase a Program Staff's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Coordination (Mentioned in 7.12% Job Postings): Ability to plan, execute, and adjust job duties to achieve business goals.
  • Administrative Support (Mentioned in 2.12% Job Postings): Administrative support means technical assistance, studies, surveys, or securing volunteers to assist the department in fulfilling its administrative responsibilities.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.66% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Coordination 7.12%
Administrative Support 2.12%
PowerPoint 1.66%
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 Staff's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $72,272
7%
Program Management $71,596
6%
Collaboration $70,246
4%
Get Latest Data

Program Staff Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Program Staff 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 Staff positions in MFG Nondurable or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Program Staff as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Program Staff

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$94,561$45.040%
Insurance$87,807$42.030%
Energy & Utilities$81,053$39.020%
Business Services$74,298$36.010%

Program Staff Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Program Staff'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 October 01, 2026
$60,391
Average $67,544/year
$76,644
$5,033
Average $5,629/month
$6,387
$1,161
Average $1,299/week
$1,474
$29
Average $32/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $76,644 $6,387 $1,474 $37
Average $67,544 $5,629 $1,299 $32
25th Percentile $60,391 $5,033 $1,161 $29

Most common benefits for Program Staff

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

Common company salaries for Program Staff

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

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FAQ about Program Staff

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Program Staff?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Program Staff roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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