How Much Does a Program Specialist Make? (2025)
Program specialists are responsible for planning and coordinating one or more programs of a non-profit organization. They coordinate fundraising, budgeting, and community outreach efforts.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for management positions, such as program specialists, projects growth in employment faster than the average of all occupations with an estimated 1.1 million job openings every year.
Read this salary guide as we thoroughly discuss program specialist salary insights, responsibilities, and factors that affect their compensation, and how to become one.
What Does a Program Specialist do?
The roles and responsibilities of a program specialist are to create program materials, establish staffing requirements, and ensure that the program achieves stated objectives. They measure the performance of programs and adjust to optimize results.
Additionally, here is what program specialists do:
- Utilize a client relationship management (CRM) or another system to organize information and facilitate outreach communications
- Collaborate with partners on special events that publicize the organization and its programs to the community
- Develop an event calendar and implement programs that align with the organization's mission, vision, and goals
What is a Program Specialist Salary Overview?
As of September 11, 2025, the average annual salary for program specialists in the United States is $67,460. The range is from $53,514 to $84,635, with earnings mostly between $60,160 and $76,450.
The average monthly rate is $5,622 with a range from $4,459 to $7,053, while the average hourly rate is $32 with a range from $26 to $41.
2025 Program Specialist Salary: $67,460 per year ($32 per hour)
Depending on the percentile, a program specialist salary with bonus ranges from $56,575 to $98,853, with $75,030 as the average value.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $56,575 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,370 |
| 50th Percentile | $75,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,500 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,853 |
The average total compensation for program specialists, including the core compensation and benefits, is $104,313. The median base salary for program specialists makes up 64.7% of the total compensation, while benefits like social security, healthcare, and time off make up 20.2%.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $67,460 | 64.7% |
| Bonus | $7,570 | 7.3% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $5,740 | 5.5% |
| 401K/403B | $3,526 | 3.4% |
| Disability | $600 | 0.6% |
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 5.8% |
| Pension | $4,127 | 4.0% |
| Time Off | $9,234 | 8.9% |
| Total Compensation | $104,313 | 100% |
What Can Affect Program Specialist Salaries?
Factors, like experience level, geographic location, education, company size, and skills, can affect the salary for program specialists. Here are the effects of these factors in terms of annual compensation.
By Experience Level
The salary of program specialists varies depending on the experience level. An entry-level program specialist salary is $65,053, while an expert-level with over 8 years of experience can expect $72,142 on average.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Program Specialists | $65,053 |
| Intermediate Level Program Specialists | $65,269 |
| Senior Level Program Specialists | $68,103 |
| Specialist Level Program Specialists | $71,873 |
| Expert Level Program Specialists | $72,142 |
By Geographic Location
Key factors why geographic location affects salaries in the United States are the local economy, cost of living, and industry presence. Here are the hot cities in the US for program specialists:
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $75,130 | $84,250 | $95,470 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $66,610 | $74,690 | $84,640 |
| Miami, Florida | $57,800 | $64,810 | $73,450 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $62,170 | $69,710 | $79,000 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $67,100 | $75,240 | $85,260 |
| New York, New York | $69,720 | $78,180 | $88,590 |
| Dallas, Texas | $59,410 | $66,610 | $75,490 |
According to Salary.com data, San Francisco has the most competitive pay among the hot cities, with salaries ranging from $75,130 to $95,470, while Miami has the least, with salaries ranging from $57,800 to $73,450.
By Skills
Salaries for program specialists get higher with more acquired skills, especially with competencies that have higher demands.
Data from Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report suggests that program specialists with skills in project documentation can experience the highest pay increase at 6.49%, followed by schedule management at 6.07%.
Meanwhile, the most in-demand skills are project coordination at 10.50% and spreadsheet software at 10.40%. Some highly compensated skills also include project monitoring and controlling, Microsoft project, and administrative support.
| Skills | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Project Documentation | 10.30% | +6.49% |
| Schedule Management | 10.00% | +6.07% |
| Project Monitoring and Controlling | 10.00% | +6.03% |
| Spreadsheet Software | 10.40% | +5.99% |
| Microsoft Project | 10.30% | +5.70% |
| Administrative Support | 10.00% | +5.53% |
How to Become a Program Specialist?
The program specialist position typically needs to meet the educational, experience, and certification requirements. Here is how to do that:
- Education: A bachelor's degree in business administration, management, public administration, communications, or related fields is usually required since these programs help professionals in business strategies, human resources, and finance.
- Experience: To become a program specialist, you must have 2 to 4 years of relevant experience in program coordination, development, and implementation. You also need to possess project management, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Certification: Program specialists are not required to have certifications, but it can boost their legitimacy. Examples of these certificates include the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).
What are the FAQs about the Program Specialist?
Here are some common questions about the licensed practical nurse salary:
What is the role of a program specialist?
A program specialist is responsible for planning and coordinating one or more programs of a non-profit organization. They coordinate fundraising, budgeting, and community outreach efforts, create program materials, establish staffing requirements, and ensure that the program achieves stated objectives. They also measure the performance of programs and adjust to optimize results.
Part of the program specialist's job is to maintain healthy communication and relationships with the internal and external stakeholders to mitigate issues and ensure the efficiency of the programs.
How much does a program specialist make in DC?
A program specialist in DC makes $74,690 annually as of September 11, 2025. Among the states in the US, the District of Columbia is the highest-paying due to the local economy, cost of living, and industry presence.
What should an entry-level salary be?
An entry-level salary for program specialists is $65,053. As the experience level of this position increases, the earning potential also grows. For expert-level program specialists, they can expect a salary of $72,142 per year.
