Academic Program Specialist Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Academic Program Specialist in the United States is $50,973 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): $61,480
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $44,103 to $56,473
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $37,848
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View as table View as graph 25% $44,103 10% $37,848 90% $61,480 75% $56,473 $50,973 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Academic Program Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $56,473 $4,706 $1,086 $27
Average $50,973 $4,248 $980 $25
25th Percentile $44,103 $3,675 $848 $21
Check out Academic Program Specialist Job Openings in the United States
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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): $49,351
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $49,542
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $51,883
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $54,308
  • Expert (over 8 years): $54,481
Levels Salary
Entry Level Academic Program Specialist$49,351
Intermediate Level Academic Program Specialist$49,542
Senior Level Academic Program Specialist$51,883
Specialist Level Academic Program Specialist$54,308
Expert Level Academic Program Specialist$54,481
$49,351 0 yr
$49,542 < 2 yrs
$51,883 2-4 yrs
$54,308 5-8 yrs
$54,481 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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: $56,438.
  • California: $56,224.
  • Massachusetts: $55,474.

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: $64,293
  • San Francisco: $63,661
  • Oakland: $62,249

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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Coordination 7.61%
Case Management 2.33%
Data Entry 1.68%
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
$55,051
8%
Innovation
$55,051
8%
Program Management
$55,051
8%
Business Administration
$55,051
8%
Project Management
$54,541
7%
Logistics
$54,032
6%
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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%
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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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Academic Program Specialist

Salaries for an Academic Program Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $49,589 in 2023 to around $48,716 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Academic Program Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Academic Program Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$49,589
2024
$49,061
2025
$48,716
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $49,589
2024 $49,061
2025 $48,716
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Academic Program Specialist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Academic Program Specialist

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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.)

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