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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Subject Matter Expert in the United States is $187,937 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $90.
However, a Subject Matter Expert's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Subject Matter Expert Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $203,483 | $16,957 | $3,913 | $98 |
| Average | $187,937 | $15,661 | $3,614 | $90 |
| 25th Percentile | $175,609 | $14,634 | $3,377 | $84 |
ComResource - Columbus, OH
Legacy Healthcare Services, Inc. - Columbus, OH
Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital - Columbus, OH
Titan Medical Group, LLC - Columbus, OH
A Subject Matter Expert'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Subject Matter Expert'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Integrate... Level Subject Matter Expert | $131,525 |
| Integrate... Level Subject Matter Expert | $148,643 |
| Subject M... Level Subject Matter Expert | $186,793 |
| Integrate... Level Subject Matter Expert | $156,761 |
| Integrate... Level Subject Matter Expert | $177,173 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Subject Matter Experts. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Subject Matter Expert roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Subject Matter Expert positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Subject Matter Expert as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $244,318 | $117.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $234,921 | $113.0 | 25% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $229,283 | $110.0 | 22% |
| Insurance | $225,524 | $108.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $221,766 | $107.0 | 18% |
Understanding how a Subject Matter Expert'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $203,483 | $16,957 | $3,913 | $98 |
| Average | $187,937 | $15,661 | $3,614 | $90 |
| 25th Percentile | $175,609 | $14,634 | $3,377 | $84 |
Salaries for a Subject Matter Expert can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $166,867 in 2023 to around $162,198 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Subject Matter Expert salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $166,867 |
| 2024 | $165,528 |
| 2025 | $162,198 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Subject Matter Expert and their salaries, click below for more details.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
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Biotechnology
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Subject Matter Expert job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Aya Healthcare
Columbus, OH
Aya Healthcare | Columbus, OH
Registered Nurse. Pay: $2,017.00 to $2,238.04 weekly. Assignment Length: 13 Weeks. Schedule: 3x12-Hour 19:00 - 07:30. Openings: 1. Start Date: 09/08/2026. ... more
17 Days Ago
Confidential
Columbus, OH
Confidential | Columbus, OH
Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more
20 Days Ago
C.R. England
Columbus, OH
Confidential
Columbus, OH
Confidential | Columbus, OH
Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more
27 Days Ago
Confidential
Columbus, OH
Confidential | Columbus, OH
Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more
27 Days Ago
USPS
Columbus, OH
USPS | Columbus, OH
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is seeking Mail Carriers and City Carrier Assistants (CCA) to deliver mail and packages to residential and business... more
1 Month Ago
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The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Subject Matter Expert roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
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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