Program Specialist Salary

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - January 8, 2018
Reading Time: 12 minutes
Reading Time: 12 minutes
FIND SCHOOLS
1
2
3
4

The following article discusses the career path of Program Specialist. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Program Specialists.

Featured Programs:
Sponsored School(s)
Southern New Hampshire University Logo
Southern New Hampshire University
Featured Program: Southern New Hampshire University offers a variety of online business degrees that can prepare you to take on a role in business management and help you develop critical leadership skills.
Request Info
Liberty University Logo
Liberty University
Featured Program: Whether you’re a professional looking to advance your career or are trying to enter the business world for the first time, Liberty University’s online business degrees can equip you with the in-demand skills sought out by industries across the country and around the world.
Request Info
Purdue Global Logo
Purdue Global
Featured Program: Purdue University Global’s career-focused curriculum is based on the latest industry advances to keep you competitive now and in the future.
Request Info
Grand Canyon University Logo
Grand Canyon University
Featured Program: Find a degree to further your business and management career aspirations and gain skills needed to succeed in a variety of business settings.
Request Info

Job Duties

Program specialists generally work in an organization’s executive team. They report directly to the CEO and hold responsibility for creating, implementing, and leading on programs. They must also regularly evaluate these programs, ensuring that they remain as effective as possible. Furthermore, they must keep records of this and report on it, including the use of objective evaluation tools, research, and statistics, to the CEO.

They also have to keep their knowledge up to date on the field, creating programs that entice clients to participate. They must also ensure that the program is fully compliant with relevant rules, regulations, and laws, and also with the organization’s mission. It is a position of leadership, which means they also usually manage other employees that are involved in the program. Sometimes, recruitment, retention, and training are also part of their responsibility. Depending on their level of seniority, they may also manage other programs within the organization, focusing on finding funding sources and managing the overall budget.

Other job duties of a program specialist are:

  • To manage budgets and write grants for programs, ensuring they are fully compliant with all regulations and laws
  • To assist the executive or leadership team to develop a strategic vision for the program, ensuring the long and short term goals have been properly defined
  • To build strong partnerships with business partners, affiliate organizations, and the general public
  • To collaborate with and mentor other team members, including program directors and managers
  • To manage the full programming operations of the organization, guiding, implementing, and developing new programs

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 367,600 computer and information systems managers in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:

  • Computer systems design and related services: 22%
  • Information: 11%
  • Finance and insurance: 11%
  • Management of companies and enterprises: 10%
  • Manufacturing: 8%

How to Become

A program specialist usually has at least a bachelor’s degree and several years of professional experience. Sometimes, a master’s degree is required.

Education Requirements

Normally, a program specialist has a bachelor’s degree in a field relating to computer science as a minimum. This is particularly required if their programs focus on computer programs, which is usually the case. Knowledge of Management Information Systems (MIS) is particularly important.

Furthermore, a graduate degree is now commonly required. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the most popular degree. One of the reasons for this is because it requires professional experience, which further enhances the career prospects of the program specialist. Indeed, professional experience is incredibly important, with the most senior program specialists having as much as ten years experience in the field, although this does vary depending on the size and age of the organization they work for.

Program specialists can be found in any element of the economy. As a result, they often also have additional certifications in fields related to their particular niche or industry. This is generally not a legal requirement, but it does increase job prospects and it demonstrates a commitment to excellence.

Traits & Qualities

The most effective program specialists have the following traits to some degree or other:

  • Strong analytical skills
  • Excellent business skills
  • Great communication skills both verbal and written
  • Strong decision making skills
  • Excellent leadership skills
  • Great organizational skills

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Program Specialist was $51,759. This number is estimated from over 1,211,024 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $26.96 and monthly of $4,313.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$124,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Program Specialist salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $79,060 while Rhode Island had the smallest quoted salary of $21,427.

AlaskaIllinoisNorth CarolinaSouth Carolina
AlabamaIndianaNorth DakotaSouth Dakota
ArkansasKansasNebraskaTennessee
ArizonaKentuckyNew HampshireTexas
CaliforniaLouisianaNew JerseyUtah
ColoradoMassachusettsNew MexicoVirginia
ConnecticutMarylandNevadaVermont
DCMaineNew YorkWashington
FloridaMichiganOhioWisconsin
GeorgiaMinnesotaOklahomaWyoming
HawaiiMissouriOregon
IowaMississippiPennsylvania
IdahoMontanaRhode Island
Alaska – $63,671Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and Kodiak Island Borough School District.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$148,000

Salary Distribution
Alabama – $55,611Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Homeland Security, Federal Government Jobs, U.S. Army, and University of Alabama.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$132,000

Salary Distribution
Arkansas – $39,587Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, University of Arkansas, and Arkansas Department of Health.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$81,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona – $43,918Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Arizona, Department of the Interior, Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Army.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$92,000

Salary Distribution
California – $66,727Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Elk Grove Unified School District, Santa Ana Unified School District, Cisco, and County of Alameda.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$18,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado – $47,006Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$112,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut – $60,201Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Connecticut, UCONN Health Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, and University of Connecticut.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$17,000

$128,000

Salary Distribution
DC – $79,060Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department Of Housing And Urban Development, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Transportation, and Department of Education.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$23,000

$169,000

Salary Distribution
Florida – $36,165Rank: 39th
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), Federal Government Jobs, Department of Veterans Affairs, and LegalShield.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$88,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia – $25,612Rank: 46th
The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta Regional Commission, and Fulton County, GA.

  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$7.25

$29.65

Salary Distribution
Hawaii – $45,759Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs, State of Hawaii, Hawaii Department of Education, and U.S. Army.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$99,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa – $54,218Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, Hawkeye Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, and To The Rescue.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$142,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho – $40,473Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Idaho Department of Lands, IDAHO DEPT. OF LABOR, Kootenai County, and University of Idaho.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$10.70

$34.20

Salary Distribution
Illinois – $52,016Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Homeland Security, Tribune Company, U.S. Department of State, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$112,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana – $26,822Rank: 45th
The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, United States Department Of Defense, City Of Indianapolis and Marion County, and State of Indiana.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$7.25

$21.20

Salary Distribution
Kansas – $46,248Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Army.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$112,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky – $43,996Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Kentucky, U.S. Army, and Louisville Metro Government.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$94,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana – $46,572Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, Federal Government Jobs, State of Louisiana, and U.S. Army.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$1,200

$8,600

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts – $59,347Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Labor, and U.S. Army.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$15,000

$131,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland – $49,704Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Maryland, Department of Homeland Security, National Security Agency, and Department of Health and Human Services.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$126,000

Salary Distribution
Maine – $43,450Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Human Services, Manpower, and Community Concepts, Inc..

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$18,000

$79,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan – $21,427Rank: 49th
The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like David D. Hunting, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Labor, and U.S. Army.

  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$7.25

$26.45

Salary Distribution
Minnesota – $34,348Rank: 42nd
The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Minneapolis Public Schools, Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Air Force, and Metropolitan Council.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$7.25

$36.20

Salary Distribution
Missouri – $38,678Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, Missouri State University, High Aspirations Incorporated, and U.S. Army.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$94,000

Salary Distribution
Mississippi – $34,931Rank: 41st
The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mississippi State Department of Health.

  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$104,000

Salary Distribution
Montana – $43,107Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Montana.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$98,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina – $46,355Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, Department of Veterans Affairs, UNC Charlotte, and University of North Carolina.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$100,000

Salary Distribution
North Dakota – $43,431Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like North Dakota State Government.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$88,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska – $36,364Rank: 38th
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Nebraska and Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc..

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$9.40

$31.70

Salary Distribution
New Hampshire – $54,691Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$22,000

$101,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey – $59,369Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Transportation Security Administration, Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, Rutgers University, and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$18,000

$123,000

Salary Distribution
New Mexico – $46,599Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Air Force, and City of Albuquerque.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$106,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada – $59,714Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like City of Henderson, NV and State of Nevada.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$21,000

$117,000

Salary Distribution
New York – $50,197Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Homeland Security, Mental Health, Office of, New York State Civil Service, and HRA/DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$125,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio – $22,099Rank: 47th
The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ViaQuest, U.S. Air Force, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Ohio State University.

  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$7.25

$24.45

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma – $40,545Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Air Force, Department of the Interior, and U.S. Army.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$92,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon – $35,904Rank: 40th
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, City of Portland, Oregon, Gervais School District, and Girl Scouts of the USA.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$7.25

$38.65

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania – $43,091Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Homeland Security.

  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$111,000

Salary Distribution
Rhode Island – $21,427Rank: 48th
The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Navy, Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America, and Boy Scouts of America.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$7.25

$16.90

Salary Distribution
South Carolina – $46,158Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Boys & Girls Clubs of America, U.S. Department of State, Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Army.

  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$132,000

Salary Distribution
South Dakota – $38,035Rank: 37th
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, Black Hills Special Services Cooperative, and South Dakota State Government.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$9.95

$29.90

Salary Distribution
Tennessee – $27,033Rank: 43rd
The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like City of Murfreesboro, TN, Department of Veterans Affairs, Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, and SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$7.25

$27.10

Salary Distribution
Texas – $56,292Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and Texas Department of Transportation.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$1,700

$9,000

Salary Distribution
Utah – $26,995Rank: 44th
The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, Air Force Acquisition, Federal Government Jobs, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$7.25

$25.55

Salary Distribution
Virginia – $61,951Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like United States Department Of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Transportation Security Administration.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$145,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont – $38,899Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Homeland Security, State of Vermont, and Spherion.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$10.25

$32.70

Salary Distribution
Washington – $50,040Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Public Buildings Service, Department of Transportation, Sound Transit, and Department of Homeland Security.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$1,800

$7,400

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin – $44,270Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like School District of Cudahy – Rec Department, House of Hope Green Bay, Inc., Department of Veterans Affairs, and University of Wisconsin–Madison.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$22,000

$70,000

Salary Distribution
Wyoming – $53,270Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Wyoming.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$26,000

$90,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Program Specialist. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary
United States Department Of DefenseAlabama$124,399
GoogleCalifornia$121,314
NASADC$120,579
U.S. Department of CommerceMaryland$103,748
Department Of Housing And Urban DevelopmentDC$99,838
State of MarylandMaryland$99,330
Federal Government JobsPennsylvania$99,315
Department of Health and Human ServicesDC$99,047
Department of TransportationDC$98,410
Department of Homeland SecurityColorado$94,584
Department of EducationDC$94,295
Department of EnergyDC$91,812
U.S. Coast GuardDC$91,676
United States Postal ServiceDC$91,647
Centers for Disease Control and PreventionDC$91,291
Elk Grove Unified School DistrictCalifornia$90,974
Santa Ana Unified School DistrictCalifornia$90,131

Learn More

Related Careers

Career NameAverage Salary
Purchasing Buyer$55,296
Human Resources Generalist$54,497
Marketing Specialist$52,815
Logistics Supervisor$52,796
Accountant$52,461
Personal Banking Manager$51,369
Public Relations Manager$51,303
Procurement Specialist$51,075
Social Media Manager$50,861
Marketing Executive$49,187

Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

"It doesn't matter how many times you have failed, you only have to be right once." - Mark Cuban