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The average salary for an Extension Specialist is $54,336 annually, translating to around $26 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, and specific job duties. For instance, Extension Specialists in certain states may earn substantially more than the national average, influenced by regional demand and funding for agricultural and educational programs.
States like California, Texas, and Florida typically offer higher salaries due to their extensive agricultural sectors and increased funding for extension services. Moreover, positions that require specialized knowledge, such as in environmental science or advanced agricultural practices, often command higher pay.
Various salary estimates from job boards and industry surveys provide insights into potential earnings. It's crucial for prospective Extension Specialists to research and compare salaries in their desired locations and fields. This knowledge can aid in negotiating better compensation packages and understanding the value of experience and education in the job market.
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The highest-paying states for extension specialists are Rhode Island, New York, and Michigan. The lowest average extension specialist salary states are Mississippi, Florida, and Nebraska.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | $71,425 | $34.34 |
| 2 | New York | $77,163 | $37.10 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $75,933 | $36.51 |
| 4 | Michigan | $75,157 | $36.13 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $72,105 | $34.67 |
| 6 | Iowa | $62,613 | $30.10 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $77,792 | $37.40 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $67,742 | $32.57 |
| 9 | Montana | $70,200 | $33.75 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $60,097 | $28.89 |
| 11 | Ohio | $72,123 | $34.67 |
| 12 | Virginia | $65,139 | $31.32 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $71,037 | $34.15 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $74,047 | $35.60 |
| 15 | California | $71,578 | $34.41 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $63,156 | $30.36 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $66,323 | $31.89 |
| 18 | Arizona | $59,286 | $28.50 |
| 19 | Nevada | $62,272 | $29.94 |
| 20 | Wyoming | $55,267 | $26.57 |
| 21 | North Carolina | $56,351 | $27.09 |
| 22 | South Dakota | $58,764 | $28.25 |
| 23 | Oregon | $59,905 | $28.80 |
| 24 | Idaho | $56,553 | $27.19 |
| 25 | Alaska | $57,922 | $27.85 |
| 26 | Maryland | $61,428 | $29.53 |
| 27 | Texas | $56,879 | $27.35 |
| 28 | Vermont | $57,136 | $27.47 |
| 29 | Indiana | $55,463 | $26.66 |
| 30 | Alabama | $52,897 | $25.43 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $54,333 | $26.12 |
| 32 | Louisiana | $53,122 | $25.54 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $57,373 | $27.58 |
| 34 | Washington | $57,214 | $27.51 |
| 35 | Maine | $56,675 | $27.25 |
| 36 | Utah | $53,790 | $25.86 |
| 37 | North Dakota | $52,355 | $25.17 |
| 38 | Missouri | $56,005 | $26.93 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $53,604 | $25.77 |
| 40 | Kansas | $53,785 | $25.86 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $48,966 | $23.54 |
| 42 | Florida | $49,728 | $23.91 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $53,896 | $25.91 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $51,594 | $24.80 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $51,561 | $24.79 |
| 46 | Minnesota | $54,964 | $26.43 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $47,281 | $22.73 |
| 48 | Georgia | $48,193 | $23.17 |
| 49 | Colorado | $52,608 | $25.29 |
| 50 | Illinois | $51,622 | $24.82 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $46,902 | $22.55 |
The highest-paying cities for extension specialists are New York, NY, Clinton, MI, and Davis, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $77,201 | $37.12 |
| 2 | Clinton, MI | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| 3 | Davis, CA | $75,796 | $36.44 |
| 4 | New Brunswick, NJ | $73,991 | $35.57 |
| 5 | Newark, DE | $71,493 | $34.37 |
| 6 | Morgantown, WV | $62,593 | $30.09 |
| 7 | Moscow, ID | $57,312 | $27.55 |
| 8 | Raleigh, NC | $57,271 | $27.53 |
| 9 | Las Cruces, NM | $56,918 | $27.36 |
| 10 | Columbia, MO | $56,081 | $26.96 |
| 11 | West Lafayette, IN | $55,383 | $26.63 |
| 12 | Minneapolis, MN | $54,959 | $26.42 |
| 13 | Frankfort, KY | $54,080 | $26.00 |
| 14 | Manhattan, KS | $54,026 | $25.97 |
| 15 | Pleasant Grove, UT | $53,544 | $25.74 |
| 16 | Grand Junction, CO | $53,495 | $25.72 |
| 17 | Stillwater, OK | $53,411 | $25.68 |
| 18 | Auburn, AL | $52,468 | $25.23 |
| 19 | Minot, ND | $52,221 | $25.11 |
| 20 | Clarksville, TN | $51,910 | $24.96 |
An extension specialist's salary ranges from $33,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $87,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $87,000 | $7,250 | $42 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,000 | $5,750 | $33 |
| Average | $54,336 | $4,528 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
The highest paying types of extension specialists are associate director, senior project manager, and project director.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Manager | $96,084 | $8,007 | $46.19 | 197,556 |
| Managing Member | $92,537 | $7,711 | $44.49 | 26,657 |
| Program/Project Manager | $101,850 | $8,488 | $48.97 | 243,017 |
| Call Center Manager | $37,614 | $3,134 | $18.08 | 123,791 |
| Communications Manager Internship | $39,970 | $3,331 | $19.22 | 118,716 |
| Project Manager | $91,578 | $7,632 | $44.03 | 167,116 |
Top companies hiring extension specialists now:
Extension specialist salaries at Rutgers University and University of California, Berkeley are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average extension specialist salary at companies like University of California and Michigan State University are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rutgers University | $81,833 | $39.34 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley | $79,775 | $38.35 |
| 3 | University of California | $75,964 | $36.52 |
| 4 | Michigan State University | $75,137 | $36.12 |
| 5 | Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | $75,100 | $36.11 |
| 6 | University Of Minnesota Physicians | $72,126 | $34.68 |
| 7 | UC Merced | $70,536 | $33.91 |
| 8 | North Dakota State University | $68,611 | $32.99 |
| 9 | Msu | $68,196 | $32.79 |
| 10 | South Dakota State University | $67,954 | $32.67 |
| 11 | Delaware Systems Technology, Inc. | $65,691 | $31.58 |
| 12 | University of Idaho | $64,811 | $31.16 |
| 13 | The Ohio State University | $64,537 | $31.03 |
| 14 | Kentucky State University | $63,586 | $30.57 |
| 15 | Oklahoma State University | $63,432 | $30.50 |
| 16 | North Carolina A&T State University | $62,243 | $29.92 |
| 17 | University of Georgia Small Business Development Center | $61,835 | $29.73 |
| 18 | University of Kentucky | $60,963 | $29.31 |
| 19 | Washington State University | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| 20 | Kansas State University | $55,873 | $26.86 |
The average extension specialist salary has risen by $6,690 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average extension specialist earned $47,646 annually, but today, they earn $54,336 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for extension specialists over the last decade.
Compare extension specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare extension specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $54,300 | $26.12 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | $52,100 | $25.06 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $51,400 | $24.73 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $50,600 | $24.30 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | $50,200 | $24.16 | +0.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Extension Assistant Specialist-Sweet Potato Research | Bono, AR | 06/30/2025 | $45,000 |
| University of Arizona | Extension Professional III | Yuma, AZ | 06/26/2025 | $53,039 |
| Colorado State University | Extension County Specialist, Horticulture and Natural Resources, Eagle County | Fort Collins, CO | 06/25/2025 | $50,000 |
| University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources | UC Cooperative Extension Specialist-Produce Safety Systems Located at The Usda-Ars SAM Farr United | Salinas, CA | 06/16/2025 | $87,700 |
| Washington State University | Regional Extension Animal Science and Forage Specialist | Kennewick, WA | 06/13/2025 | $75,000 |
| WSU | Regional Extension Animal Science and Forage Specialist | Benton, AR | 06/11/2025 | $75,000 |
| University of Arizona | Extension Professional III (Extended Temporary) | Yuma, AZ | 05/15/2025 | $53,039 |
| Colorado State University | Extension County Specialist, Horticulture and 4-H Youth Development, Morgan County | Fort Collins, CO | 05/03/2025 | $51,200 |
| University of Arkansas | Extension Assistant Specialist-Sweet Potato Research | Bono, AR | 04/29/2025 | $45,000 |
| University of Arkansas System | Extension Assistant Specialist | Pine Bluff, AR | 04/26/2025 | $43,000 |
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