Program Cost Analyst Salary in the United States

How much does a Program Cost Analyst make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Program Cost Analyst in the United States is $67,566 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,402
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,570 to $78,996
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,470

Key Factors That Influence Program Cost Analyst Salaries

A Program Cost Analyst'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 Cost Analyst Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Program Cost Analyst'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): $39,404
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $51,229
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $68,260
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $69,973
  • Expert (over 8 years): $78,003
Levels Salary
Fitness I... Level Program Cost Analyst$39,404
Fitness I... Level Program Cost Analyst$51,229
Program C... Level Program Cost Analyst$68,260
Fitness C... Level Program Cost Analyst$69,973
Fitness C... Level Program Cost Analyst$78,003

How Do Program Cost Analyst 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 Cost Analysts. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $74,809.
  • California: $74,525.
  • Massachusetts: $73,532.

Top Paying Cities for Program Cost Analysts

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: $85,220
  • San Francisco: $84,287
  • Oakland: $82,511

What Skills Can Increase a Program Cost Analyst's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 11.78% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Spring (Mentioned in 2.23% Job Postings): Spring is the season during which the natural world revives and reinvigorates after the colder winter months. During spring, dormant plants begin to grow again, new seedlings sprout out of the ground and hibernating animals awake.
  • Physical Education (Mentioned in 1.14% Job Postings): Physical education, often abbreviated to Phys Ed. or P.E., is a subject taught in schools around the world. It is usually taught during primary and secondary education, and encourages psychomotor learning.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.78%
Spring 2.23%
Physical Education 1.14%

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 Cost Analyst's salary.

  • Merchandising: Can increase your salary by up to 88%.
  • Confidentiality: Can increase your salary by up to 32%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 27%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Merchandising $127,023
88%
Confidentiality $89,187
32%
Commitment $85,808
27%

Program Cost Analyst Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Program Cost Analyst roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Program Cost Analyst positions in Insurance or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Program Cost Analyst as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Program Cost Analyst

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$101,348$49.050%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$81,079$39.020%

How Education impacts a Program Cost Analyst's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Program Cost Analysts enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Cost Analyst with a No Diploma is between $56,523 and $67,565).

Program Cost Analyst Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Program Cost Analyst
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 27.7%
Associates 6.9%
Bachelors 53.7%
Masters 9.8%
Doctorate 1.2%

Program Cost Analyst Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Program Cost Analyst'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
$57,570
Average $67,566/year
$78,996
$4,798
Average $5,630/month
$6,583
$1,107
Average $1,299/week
$1,519
$28
Average $32/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,996 $6,583 $1,519 $38
Average $67,566 $5,630 $1,299 $32
25th Percentile $57,570 $4,798 $1,107 $28

Most common benefits for Program Cost Analyst

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

Common company salaries for Program Cost Analyst

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

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FAQ about Program Cost Analyst

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Program Cost Analyst?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Program Cost Analyst roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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