Program Coordinator Salary

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - January 8, 2018
Reading Time: 12 minutes
Reading Time: 12 minutes

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

Featured Programs:
Sponsored School(s)

Job Duties

Program coordinators serve as the face of the organization, which is often a nonprofit. They hold responsibility for a certain branch or segment of the organization, working directly with those who use the program that is offered, while also line managing volunteers. They work with other departments in order to ensure that the mission of the organization is achieved and the needs of the population are served.

Usually, these professionals work indoors, although this can vary depending on the organization. Sometimes, they also have to engage in physical labor, particularly if their service addresses the needs of the elderly or children, or if it is an environmental organization. Indeed, working in the field to plan the budget, supervise the program, hire new staff, and so on is a large part of their overall job.

A program coordinator is a true visionary. They are the ones who ensure the nonprofit organization runs properly and smoothly. They do a lot of hard work with long days, something that isn’t generally reflected in their pay. However, the job is very rewarding in many other ways.

Other job duties of a program coordinator are:

  • To be responsible for the administrative management of the program
  • To promote the nonprofit organization in the community
  • To oversee the volunteers and staff members in the organization

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 147,300 social and community services managers in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:

  • Individual and family services: 27%
  • Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations: 12%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals: 11%
  • Nursing and residential care facilities: 11%
  • Community and vocational rehabilitation services: 10%

How to Become

Usually, a program coordinator holds a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, including business or social work. However, it is now becoming increasingly popular for them to have to hold a graduate degree, with the master in business administration (MBA) with a concentration in nonprofit management being the most popular one.

See top affordable Online MBA programs for 2018.

Education Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for a program coordinator. They often major in public health, business administration, public administration, social work, or related field. Commonly, however, these professionals have a master’s degree.

Experience is also very important, particularly if someone only holds a bachelor’s degree. At least three years of experience are required for those program coordinators working at a lower level. However, those who want to take on greater responsibility often have as much as ten years experience, if not more. Many gain this experience by working as substance abuse counselors or social workers, for instance.

Traits & Qualities

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

  • Strong analytical skills
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Great managerial skills
  • Strong problem solving skills
  • Excellent time management skills

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Program Coordinator was $41,738. This number is estimated from over 2,189,124 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $21.74 and monthly of $3,478.

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$14,000

$98,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Program Coordinator salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Alaska had the largest quoted salary of $61,620 while Montana had the smallest quoted salary of $24,019.

AlaskaIllinoisNorth CarolinaSouth Carolina
AlabamaIndianaNorth DakotaSouth Dakota
ArkansasKansasNebraskaTennessee
ArizonaKentuckyNew HampshireTexas
CaliforniaLouisianaNew JerseyUtah
ColoradoMassachusettsNew MexicoVirginia
ConnecticutMarylandNevadaVermont
DCMaineNew YorkWashington
FloridaMichiganOhioWisconsin
GeorgiaMinnesotaOklahomaWest Virginia
HawaiiMissouriOregonWyoming
IowaMississippiPennsylvania
IdahoMontanaRhode Island
Alaska$61,620Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, Workplace Alaska, Love INC Fairbanks, and BGC Alaska.

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$2,500

$7,800

Salary Distribution
Alabama$38,704Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Alabama State University, University of Alabama, Auburn University, and NORTHWEST ALABAMA MENTAL HEALTH CENTER.

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$14,000

$80,000

Salary Distribution
Arkansas$38,543Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Arkansas Department of Health, department of finance & administration, Department of Education, and DF&A/OFFICE OF ADMIN SERV.

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$14,000

$93,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona$37,951Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Valley Metro, Department of the Interior, Maricopa County Community College District, and Banner Health.

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$14,000

$80,000

Salary Distribution
California$34,272Rank: 40th
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mt. San Antonio College, Foothill-De Anza Community College District, West Valley-Mission Community College District, and City of Irvine.

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$7.25

$38.55

Salary Distribution
Colorado$41,652Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, CITY OF BOULDER, Black Hills Corporation, and City of Boulder, CO.

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$14,000

$106,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut$42,206Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Connecticut, United Services, Inc. – Connecticut, Impact International, and COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Inc..

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$14,000

$91,000

Salary Distribution
DC$51,840Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department Of Health, District of Columbia Public Schools, U.S. Department of State, and Smithsonian Institution.

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$14,000

$119,000

Salary Distribution
Florida$41,484Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Interregional Med-Exec Group, Inc., State of Florida, Palm Beach County Human Resources, and Florida State College at Jacksonville.

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$14,000

$90,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia$38,528Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Fulton County, GA, American Cancer Society, Department Of Public Health, and Emory University.

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$14,000

$81,000

Salary Distribution
Hawaii$51,415Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Hawaii, University of Hawaii at Hilo, and Kauai Economic Opportunity, Inc..

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$14,000

$111,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa$36,675Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Iowa, Northwest Iowa Community College, The University of Iowa, and REM Iowa.

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$14,000

$79,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho$31,987Rank: 42nd
The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Consumer Direct, Consumer Direct Care Network, IDAHO DEPT. OF LABOR, and University of Idaho.

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$7.40

$29.50

Salary Distribution
Illinois$39,728Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Fresh Start Caring for Kids Foundation, City of Chicago, U.S. Army, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

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$14,000

$96,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana$30,896Rank: 44th
The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Indianapolis Public Schools, University of Notre Dame, ResCare, and Putnam County Comprehensive Services.

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$14,000

$65,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas$42,021Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TechMission, Kansas State University, The Unified Government Public Health Department, and Unified Government Public Health Department.

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$14,000

$88,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky$44,721Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Northern Kentucky University, and Western Kentucky University.

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$14,000

$109,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana$37,236Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, State of Louisiana, Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation, and The Salvation Army.

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$14,000

$76,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts$44,634Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Middlesex Community College, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, BRISTOL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, and Mount Holyoke College.

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$15,000

$90,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland$44,181Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Prince George’s County Public Schools, City of Baltimore, U.S. Army, and Community College of Baltimore County.

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$14,000

$97,000

Salary Distribution
Maine$34,387Rank: 39th
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PENOBSCOT NATION and Mano en Mano.

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$7.25

$33.25

Salary Distribution
Michigan$39,061Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Grand Traverse County, MI, The University of Michigan, Grand Valley State University, and Oakland University.

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$14,000

$98,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota$30,105Rank: 46th
The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like City Of Minneapolis, Dakota County, Minnesota Department of Human Services, and Prairie Seeds Academy.

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$7.25

$34.00

Salary Distribution
Missouri$39,762Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Missouri, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri State University, and Center for Developmentally Disabled.

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$14,000

$98,000

Salary Distribution
Mississippi$27,168Rank: 48th
The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Salvation Army and University of Mississippi.

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$7.25

$22.05

Salary Distribution
Montana$24,019Rank: 50th
The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aware Inc., City of Missoula, University of Montana, and Montana State University.

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$7.25

$21.65

Salary Distribution
North Carolina$35,595Rank: 38th
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Piedmont Community College, State Of North Carolina, and Forsyth Technical Community College.

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$14,000

$78,000

Salary Distribution
North Dakota$43,736Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like North Dakota State Government.

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$14,000

$90,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska$41,199Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Clinical, University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and U.S. Air Force.

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$14,000

$82,000

Salary Distribution
New Hampshire$30,259Rank: 45th
The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Liberty Mutual, Nature’s Classroom, THE INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE, INC., and Leddy Group.

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$7.95

$24.70

Salary Distribution
New Jersey$49,561Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS), Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and Rutgers University.

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$14,000

$114,000

Salary Distribution
New Mexico$39,718Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like San Juan College, Bernalillo County Government, City of Albuquerque, and Central New Mexico Community College.

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$15,000

$76,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada$45,005Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like College of Southern Nevada, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas, AppleOne, and Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.

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$14,000

$108,000

Salary Distribution
New York$44,972Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, Clinical Management Consultants, Health Research Incorporated, and Department of Corrections.

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$14,000

$104,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio$38,360Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Stark State College, Columbus State Community College, U.S. Air Force, and FrontLine Service.

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$14,000

$83,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma$40,184Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma, U.S. Air Force, and University of Central Oklahoma.

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$14,000

$94,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon$31,276Rank: 43rd
The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Multnomah County, OR, Washington County, OR, Portland Community College, and State of Oregon.

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$7.25

$34.95

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania$36,024Rank: 37th
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Valley Youth House, Pittsburgh Technical College, Temple University, and City of Philadelphia.

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$14,000

$97,000

Salary Distribution
Rhode Island$27,052Rank: 49th
The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The University of Rhode Island, Providence School Department, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State, and Randstad.

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$7.25

$30.80

Salary Distribution
South Carolina$38,707Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, SC Department Of Public Safety, State of South Carolina, and Medical University of South Carolina.

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$14,000

$77,000

Salary Distribution
South Dakota$43,037Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs and Lakota Animal Care Project.

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$14,000

$103,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee$32,276Rank: 41st
The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Meharry Medical College, Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, University of Memphis, and Vanderbilt University.

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$14,000

$97,000

Salary Distribution
Texas$39,893Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Texas Medical Branch, Austin Independent School District, and Alvin Community College.

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$14,000

$96,000

Salary Distribution
Utah$38,260Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, West Valley College, Salt Lake County, and University of Utah.

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$14,000

$78,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia$45,641Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Prince William County Schools, United States Department Of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Arlington County.

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$14,000

$100,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont$28,204Rank: 47th
The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The University of Vermont Medical Center, State of Vermont, Humane Society of Chittenden County, and Chittenden Central Supervisory Union.

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$7.25

$28.70

Salary Distribution
Washington$38,604Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like City Of Bellevue, Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare, Aerospace Machinist Joint Training Committee (AMJTC), and Parker Staffing Services.

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$1,500

$5,400

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin$39,505Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Milwaukee County, Forward Service Corporation, OfficeTeam, and Staples.

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$14,000

$87,000

Salary Distribution
West Virginia$38,400Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ross Innovative Employment Solutions.

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$14,000

$82,000

Salary Distribution
Wyoming$40,728Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency Program and University of Wyoming.

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$14,000

$107,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

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

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary

Learn More

Related Careers

Career NameAverage Salary

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.

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