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Economic Development Administrator Salary in the United States

How much does an Economic Development Administrator make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Economic Development Administrator in the United States is $56,819 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, an Economic Development Administrator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $72,190
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $49,660 to $64,865
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,142
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Economic Development Administrator Salaries

An Economic Development Administrator'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 Economic Development Administrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Economic Development Administrator'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): $54,830
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $55,128
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $55,824
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $56,620
  • Expert (over 8 years): $58,227
Levels Salary
Entry Level Economic Development Administrator$54,830
Intermediate Level Economic Development Administrator$55,128
Senior Level Economic Development Administrator$55,824
Specialist Level Economic Development Administrator$56,620
Expert Level Economic Development Administrator$58,227
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How Do Economic Development Administrator 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 Economic Development Administrators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $62,910.
  • California: $62,671.
  • Massachusetts: $61,836.

Top Paying Cities for Economic Development Administrators

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: $71,665
  • San Francisco: $70,881
  • Oakland: $69,387

What Skills Can Increase an Economic Development Administrator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 8.18% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 2.52% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
  • Food Service (Mentioned in 1.26% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 8.18%
Product Quality 2.52%
Food Service 1.26%
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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 Economic Development Administrator's salary.

  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Menu Development: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Interpersonal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching $64,205
13%
Menu Development $64,205
13%
Interpersonal Communication $63,069
11%
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Economic Development Administrator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Economic Development Administrator 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, Hospitality & Leisure, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Economic Development Administrator positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Economic Development Administrator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Economic Development Administrator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$68,182$33.020%

How Education impacts an Economic Development Administrator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Economic Development Administrators enter the field with a Associate'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 Economic Development Administrator with a Associate's Degree is between $63,500 and $68,853).

Economic Development Administrator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Economic Development Administrator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 26.9%
Associates 42.3%
Bachelors 28.8%
Masters 1.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Economic Development Administrator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Economic Development Administrator'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
$49,660
Average $56,819/year
$64,865
$4,138
Average $4,735/month
$5,405
$955
Average $1,093/week
$1,247
$24
Average $27/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $64,865 $5,405 $1,247 $31
Average $56,819 $4,735 $1,093 $27
25th Percentile $49,660 $4,138 $955 $24

Most common benefits for Economic Development Administrator

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

Common company salaries for Economic Development Administrator

Here are companies hiring for Economic Development Administrator and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Economic Development Administrator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Economic Development Administrator?

The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Economic Development Administrator 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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