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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Program Monitor in the United States is $113,789 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $132,089
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $99,589 to $123,368
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $86,661

Key Factors That Influence Program Monitor Salaries

A Program Monitor'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 Monitor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Program Monitor'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): $109,845
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $110,437
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,817
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $115,516
  • Expert (over 8 years): $118,479
Levels Salary
Entry Level Program Monitor$109,845
Intermediate Level Program Monitor$110,437
Senior Level Program Monitor$111,817
Specialist Level Program Monitor$115,516
Expert Level Program Monitor$118,479

How Do Program Monitor 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 Monitors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $125,987.
  • California: $125,509.
  • Massachusetts: $123,837.

Top Paying Cities for Program Monitors

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: $143,522
  • San Francisco: $141,951
  • Oakland: $138,959

What Skills Can Increase a Program Monitor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 7.59% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Service Quality (Mentioned in 2.43% Job Postings): Service quality is a measure of how an organization delivers its services compared to the expectations of its customers.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 1.68% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 7.59%
Service Quality 2.43%
First Aid 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 a Program Monitor's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $126,306
11%
Program Management $125,168
10%
Commitment $121,754
7%

Program Monitor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Program Monitor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Program Monitor positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Program Monitor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Program Monitor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$136,547$66.020%

How Education impacts a Program Monitor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Program Monitors 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 a Program Monitor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $110,084 and $120,654).

Program Monitor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Program Monitor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.7%
High School 7.0%
Associates 3.5%
Bachelors 36.2%
Masters 48.5%
Doctorate 3.1%

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

Understanding how a Program Monitor'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
$99,589
Average $113,789/year
$123,368
$8,299
Average $9,482/month
$10,281
$1,915
Average $2,188/week
$2,372
$48
Average $55/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $123,368 $10,281 $2,372 $59
Average $113,789 $9,482 $2,188 $55
25th Percentile $99,589 $8,299 $1,915 $48

Most common benefits for Program Monitor

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

Common company salaries for Program Monitor

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

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FAQ about Program Monitor

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Program Monitor 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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