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Job outlook for directors of programs and operations in the United States
Are director of programs and operations jobs in demand?
Director of programs and operations job and salary trends over time
Director of programs and operations jobs over time
Director of programs and operations job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,282 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,619 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,703 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,562 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,486 | 0.00% |
Average director of programs and operations salary over time
Director of programs and operations salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $73,132 | $35.16 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $71,107 | $34.19 | --0.1% |
| 2023 | $71,213 | $34.24 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $70,846 | $34.06 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | $70,070 | $33.69 | +1.6% |
Director of programs and operations jobs by state
Most common states for directors of programs and operations
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 411 | 59% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 336 | 39% |
| 3 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 944 | 30% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 221 | 29% |
| 5 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 825 | 27% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,649 | 24% |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 305 | 23% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 238 | 23% |
| 9 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 133 | 23% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,236 | 22% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,541 | 21% |
| 12 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 621 | 21% |
| 13 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 967 | 20% |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 783 | 20% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 392 | 20% |
| 16 | Alaska | 739,795 | 146 | 20% |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,398 | 19% |
| 18 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,942 | 19% |
| 19 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 871 | 19% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 181 | 19% |
Most common cities for directors of programs and operations
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marlborough | 1 | 3% | $87,529 |
| 2 | Taylor | 1 | 2% | $79,755 |
| 3 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $83,060 |
| 4 | Brockton | 1 | 1% | $88,197 |
| 5 | Largo | 1 | 1% | $55,209 |
| 6 | Mountain View | 1 | 1% | $88,400 |
| 7 | Troy | 1 | 1% | $79,671 |
| 8 | Worcester | 1 | 1% | $87,834 |
| 9 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $85,541 |
| 10 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $82,625 |
| 11 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $79,800 |
| 12 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $52,757 |
| 13 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $55,818 |
| 14 | Raleigh | 1 | 0% | $79,606 |
| 15 | Tampa | 1 | 0% | $55,260 |
Director Of Programs And Operations job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of director of programs and operations experts
Middle Tennessee State University
Thiel College
Pepperdine University, Seaver College
Sam Houston State University
Houston Baptist University
Farmingdale State College
The City College of New York
Belmont University
Sonoma State University
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director Of Programs And Operations job market given the pandemic?
Frank Lambert Ph.D.: Undoubtedly, while the pandemic is continuing, and possibly beyond, comfort working with technology will become an even more pronounced trend for librarians. From information literacy, to running programs online and conducting online instruction, to story times, technology is what helps connect communities with their public libraries even more. Libraries were stuck between a rock and a hard place when the pandemic struck. For SO many people in our community, the library is their primary source with the outside world via the WWW. When libraries had to close to reduce the chances of disease spread, not only was computer access to the Internet lost, but so was access to the Internet at home for those people who could not afford Internet access and instead have to rely on mobile hotspots for access. With libraries closed though, these hotspots could not be signed out. In the future, government should consider libraries an essential service. How was a community member to apply for unemployment benefits if he/she did not have access to the WWW from home? How can that same member apply for other social services or apply for a new job without an Internet connection? Had governments declared public libraries essential services and provided them with the resources needed to stay open, including giving libraries power over enforcing mask mandates, then the pandemic might have had a different look to it.
What soft skills should all Directors Of Programs And Operations possess?
Frank Lambert Ph.D.: Graduates in librarianship should have a definite public service ethic as one of their primary soft skills. Librarianship is a rewarding career, but you will not get rich being one. However, people become librarians more often than not just based on that desire to serve. Being a team player is very helpful. You need to work with other professionals and paraprofessionals closely. Working well in a team environment is pretty much essential, regardless whether you are working at a public service desk or behind the scenes in a technical services department. Being open to learning new things is a great soft skill. If you thrive in environments where the only constant is change, then librarianship is a great career. Finally, if you like puzzles or solving problems, then librarianship is for you. You want to run towards challenging information-based problems to start working on them right away. There is nothing more satisfying than finding the answer to a complex and challenging information-based problem and seeing the gratitude on your patron's face.
How have salaries changed over time for Directors Of Programs And Operations?
Frank Lambert Ph.D.: Salaries continue to rise. There are hundreds of graduates across the nation every semester, and yet there are still multiple job openings. Retirement of baby boomers in librarianship appears to be increasing. I would not say there is a shortage of qualified candidates; however, according to the Library Journal's most recent salary survey, their 2019 Placements & Salaries survey learned that full-time grads earned on average 6.2 percent more than they did in 2018 www.libraryjournal.com
This also was a 24% increase from 2011 salary levels. Salaries increasing this much may be due to, as I wrote, a glut of open positions in librarianship due to retirements, but closer analysis should be conducted before anything definitive is stated.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director Of Programs And Operations job market given the pandemic?
Mary Beth Mason Ph.D.: I think we are going to see teletherapy as a more common service delivery model across settings. I think that that will be what I call a "Pandemic Positive". I think many states will pass legislation post pandemic for teletherapy to be a reimbursable service.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Directors Of Programs And Operations?
Mary Beth Mason Ph.D.: I think one of the great things about being a speech-language pathologist is that we can work across the lifespan in a variety of settings. In order to have that flexibility, graduates should get their Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), professional state license, and credential to work in public school setting. It is important to get those three credentials as soon as possible after graduation because they will meet the current standards. If they wait, there might be new standards in place which means they might need additional coursework and/or pass additional tests.
What's a good job out of college for Directors Of Programs And Operations?
Mary Beth Mason Ph.D.: I think it's important for new graduates to remain open to different work settings when looking for a job. Happiness is a balancing act between work and home so it's important to consider factors such as schedule and commute in addition to work setting and caseload.
New clinicians need to complete a Clinical Fellowship experience before applying for their Certificate of Clinical Competency from ASHA. I always tell students to ask about their Clinical Fellowship mentor during their interview. That is always a good question to ask in the interview when the employer asks if you have questions. Successful completion of the Clinical Fellowship is the final step in the certification process so it's really important to have a good working relationship with that person. A good mentor can help a new clinician have a great experience in any setting.
My final piece of advice to new graduates is to always negotiate. I tell my students to call me for a pep talk if they need one because I know their worth and value. Employers expect some back and forth following the initial offer. A good employer is not going to withdraw an offer because you counter for increased salary or better benefits. In helping professions like speech-language pathology, I think many don't want to seem aggressive, but negotiating job offers is completely acceptable.
Bottom line is we all need to have a job that we like that allows us to have a life that we love.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors Of Programs And Operations?
Steven Bauer: The coronavirus has accelerated the transformation to a digital world, and this effect will continue after the pandemic is behind us. Graduates will need to be able to navigate a hybrid business environment, with in-person and virtual meetings, interactions and platforms. There will also be increased opportunities to be entrepreneurial and innovative in the digital area. In addition, graduates will have to become more skilled at navigating a global environment since greater digitization will draw countries closer to each other.
Carliss Miller Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of ManagementSam Houston State University
Department of Management & Marketing
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director Of Programs And Operations job market given the pandemic?
Carliss Miller Ph.D.: Flexible working arrangements were considered a perk or benefit, but given the pandemic more and more jobs will be designed with flexible work arrangements in mind. We will continue to see trends in the labor market with a push towards personal services (e.g. virtual assistants, professional organizers) and professional services. There will also continue to be a demand for knowledge work. More and more, employers are looking to hire applicants that can provide concrete evidence of being "Day 1" ready.
Employers will focus more on identifying prospects with certain "soft skills" which were a nice-to-have pre-pandemic, but are now critical for organizational survival. These skills include: critical thinking, agility, ability to adapt to change, resilience, virtual team effectiveness, crisis management, emotional intelligence, empathy, and inclusive leadership. Additionally, data analysis and interpretation is a highly sought after skill even for jobs that historically did not require analytical ability.
What's a good job out of college for Directors Of Programs And Operations?
Carliss Miller Ph.D.: Good jobs out of college are those that offer structured training, development, and job rotation. While some college students identified their career at age 5 and never veered away, some are still figuring out what they want to do after college. A job opportunity that recognizes the potential of new talent, willing to invest in training and development, and provides opportunities for new employees to experience different job functions enables new graduates to gain a realistic job preview that pays and allows them to identify an opportunity within the company that best aligns with skills and interests. Positions that are for a specific job function but have an apprenticeship model, like a "sales trainee" position, are also great for career stepping stones right out of college.
Michael Kraten Ph.D.
Professor of Accounting, Chair, Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Program Coordinator, Accounting, BBAHouston Baptist University
Accounting, Economics and Finance Department
What technical skills for a Director Of Programs And Operations stand out to employers?
Michael Kraten Ph.D.: Short-term skills like data analytics establish college graduates as credible staff professionals. Long-term skills like critical thinking and persuasive communication can place graduates on long-term career paths to senior management.
Xu Zhang Ph.D.
ChairFarmingdale State College
Department of Economics
What skills stand out on Director Of Programs And Operations resumes?
Xu Zhang Ph.D.: I believe the most important attributes employers seek on a resume remain the same-problem solving skills, team work skills, analytical/quantitative skills, verbal and written communication skills. However, given the pandemic or any other unexpected shock to work environment, how to quickly and efficiently adapt to new work modes can be a very valuable attribute standing out on resume.
What type of skills will young Directors Of Programs And Operations need?
Prabal Kumar De Ph.D.: I think the necessary skills remain the same. One modification that would stay is greater virtual engagement. Therefore, newly essential skills such as acing a virtual interview, making a mark during a Zoom meeting, or managing or being a valuable part of a remote working group would be useful long after the immediate threats from the COVID-19 crisis be gone.
Nina Woodard
Senior Career Development SpecialistBelmont University
Office of Career & Professional Development
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director Of Programs And Operations job market given the pandemic?
Nina Woodard: The pandemic hasn't impacted all areas of the entertainment industry in the same way. Anything related to live events and touring has been placed on an extended pause, which has been very difficult for graduates hoping to work in those fields. On an encouraging note, consumers will always find a way back to live experiences, so that segment of the industry will absolutely recover; the timing is just still a bit unknown. Other areas such as record or publishing companies have held steady. And, digital marketing and content creation companies are as busy, if not busier, than they've ever been as artists seek alternative ways to stay connected to their fans. Technology has intersected with entertainment in exciting, creative ways that will continue even as some of the more traditional avenues become available again. For many companies, ideas that started as pivots are now vibrant components of their long-term strategies.
The way we work may have also permanently changed. Companies have realized that remote working is a truly viable option for most businesses. While maintaining company culture, and the social nature of an entertainment-based organization, may still require some level of in-person interaction, it seems likely that many organizations may continue with remote/hybrid office models.
What Director Of Programs And Operations skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nina Woodard: For entertainment, digital marketing and content creation skills are critical. Even if a role isn't specifically connected to digital marketing, social media is almost always involved in most entry-level roles. We strongly encourage students and recent graduates to learn basic graphic design platforms, video editing and audio editing. Learning how to maximize impact on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok is also a worthy investment of time. There's a wide range of self-paced training resources online, many available for free or at reduced costs for students.
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.
Adjunct LecturerSonoma State University
School of Business & Economics
What type of skills will young Directors Of Programs And Operations need?
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.: I see the essential human skills gaining importance to build a new post-covid work life. These include creativity, leading and working in teams, writing, speaking, being self-aware, and lowering bias and networking; career branding as critical areas for graduates to focus on now.
What experience really stands out on Director Of Programs And Operations resumes?
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.: Most important on resumes to only show accomplishments you are proud of and reflect measurable success and completion of past work. These accomplishments should be a snapshot of what we have done and can do in the future. The most important two lines of a resume are in the objectives, to list what the person is seeking. These two lines give the reader a quick view of what the person wants.
Now is a great time to start the new year to build a portable work portfolio to represent an alignment of what a person is excited about and enjoys in their work.