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Academic Program Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does an Academic Program Specialist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Academic Program Specialist in the United States is $50,988 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $61,080
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,888 to $56,271
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $37,424
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Academic Program Specialist Salaries

An Academic Program Specialist'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 Academic Program Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Academic Program Specialist'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): $49,312
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $49,509
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $51,894
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $54,206
  • Expert (over 8 years): $54,371
Levels Salary
Entry Level Academic Program Specialist$49,312
Intermediate Level Academic Program Specialist$49,509
Senior Level Academic Program Specialist$51,894
Specialist Level Academic Program Specialist$54,206
Expert Level Academic Program Specialist$54,371
View as Graph

How Do Academic Program Specialist 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 Academic Program Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $56,454.
  • California: $56,240.
  • Massachusetts: $55,490.

Top Paying Cities for Academic Program Specialists

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: $64,311
  • San Francisco: $63,607
  • Oakland: $62,266

What Skills Can Increase an Academic Program Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Coordination (Mentioned in 7.61% Job Postings): Ability to plan, execute, and adjust job duties to achieve business goals.
  • Case Management (Mentioned in 2.33% Job Postings): Connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers, resources, and services to ensure they receive optimal, cost-effective care.
  • Data Entry (Mentioned in 1.68% Job Postings): Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.
Skills Demand Percentage
Coordination 7.61%
Case Management 2.33%
Data Entry 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 an Academic Program Specialist's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $55,067
8%
Innovation $55,067
8%
Program Management $55,067
8%
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How Education impacts an Academic Program Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Academic Program Specialists 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 Academic Program Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $56,952 and $61,534).

Academic Program Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Academic Program Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.8%
High School 2.8%
Associates 3.1%
Bachelors 47.6%
Masters 42.7%
Doctorate 3.8%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Academic Program Specialist'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
$43,888
Average $50,988/year
$56,271
$3,657
Average $4,249/month
$4,689
$844
Average $981/week
$1,082
$21
Average $25/hour
$27
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $56,271 $4,689 $1,082 $27
Average $50,988 $4,249 $981 $25
25th Percentile $43,888 $3,657 $844 $21

Most common benefits for Academic Program Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Academic Program Specialist

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

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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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