Research Summary. Extensive analysis by the Zippia data science team has brought to light the latest insights into program assistant salaries across the United States for 2026:
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Connecticut offers the highest program assistant salary at $42,124.
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South Dakota has the lowest program assistant salary at $28,053.
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The national average salary for program assistants stands at $35,193.
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The average hourly wage for program assistants is $16.92.
For more details, check out our specific methodology.
Background
Surveys consistently show that salary remains a pivotal factor for job seekers. As a program assistant, understanding how pay varies by location is crucial for informed career decisions.
While individual salaries may vary based on experience and skills, the state averages provide a clear picture of what to expect in different regions. As of 2026, Connecticut continues to lead with the best salary for program assistants.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for program assistant salaries:
Let’s delve deeper into the data and present a comprehensive ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Program Assistants By State
| Rank | State | Average Program Assistant Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $42,124 | $30,000 | $58,000 |
| 2 | California | $39,612 | $30,000 | $51,000 |
| 3 | New York | $38,294 | $27,000 | $53,000 |
| 4 | Colorado | $37,564 | $29,000 | $47,000 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $36,510 | $26,000 | $50,000 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | $36,326 | $28,000 | $46,000 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $36,270 | $29,000 | $45,000 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $35,361 | $25,000 | $49,000 |
| 9 | Washington | $35,064 | $28,000 | $43,000 |
| 10 | Oregon | $34,955 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $34,818 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 12 | Ohio | $34,752 | $26,000 | $45,000 |
| 13 | Nevada | $34,678 | $26,000 | $44,000 |
| 14 | North Carolina | $34,412 | $26,000 | $45,000 |
| 15 | Illinois | $34,187 | $26,000 | $44,000 |
| 16 | Texas | $33,975 | $26,000 | $44,000 |
| 17 | New Mexico | $33,529 | $26,000 | $42,000 |
| 18 | Maryland | $33,461 | $24,000 | $45,000 |
| 19 | Florida | $33,310 | $24,000 | $44,000 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $33,224 | $24,000 | $45,000 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $33,140 | $23,000 | $46,000 |
| 22 | Maine | $33,098 | $24,000 | $44,000 |
| 23 | Delaware | $33,096 | $23,000 | $45,000 |
| 24 | Arizona | $33,046 | $25,000 | $42,000 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $32,904 | $23,000 | $45,000 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $32,851 | $27,000 | $39,000 |
| 27 | Kansas | $32,554 | $25,000 | $41,000 |
| 28 | Vermont | $32,376 | $24,000 | $43,000 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $32,218 | $24,000 | $42,000 |
| 30 | Oklahoma | $32,163 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 31 | Iowa | $31,963 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 32 | Virginia | $31,899 | $23,000 | $43,000 |
| 33 | Idaho | $31,825 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $31,198 | $24,000 | $40,000 |
| 35 | Alaska | $31,189 | $27,000 | $35,000 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $31,168 | $24,000 | $39,000 |
| 37 | Indiana | $30,974 | $23,000 | $40,000 |
| 38 | Missouri | $30,933 | $24,000 | $39,000 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $30,915 | $23,000 | $40,000 |
| 40 | Wyoming | $30,786 | $24,000 | $38,000 |
| 41 | Michigan | $30,716 | $23,000 | $40,000 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $30,516 | $23,000 | $39,000 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $30,222 | $23,000 | $39,000 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $30,147 | $22,000 | $40,000 |
| 45 | Georgia | $30,031 | $22,000 | $39,000 |
| 46 | Alabama | $29,683 | $22,000 | $38,000 |
| 47 | Montana | $29,499 | $23,000 | $36,000 |
| 48 | Utah | $29,373 | $23,000 | $37,000 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $28,103 | $21,000 | $36,000 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $28,053 | $22,000 | $35,000 |
Methodology: Program Assistant Salary By State
To provide clarity on program assistant salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various reliable sources including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. We also incorporate real-time salary listings from job postings. Our data science team then calculates a weighted average to determine the salary for program assistants across states.
This ranking is derived from the average annual salaries, highlighting the states offering the highest compensation for program assistants.
Program Assistant Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for program assistants?
The highest-paid state for program assistants is Connecticut, with an average salary of $42,124 per year.
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What city pays program assistants the most?
Washington, DC offers the highest average salary for program assistants at $48,184 per year.
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What is the worst state for program assistants?
The state with the lowest average salary for program assistants is South Dakota, at $28,053 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
