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Job outlook for senior program assistants in the United States
Are senior program assistant jobs in demand?
Senior program assistant job and salary trends over time
Senior program assistant jobs over time
Senior program assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 725 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 781 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 842 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 885 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 925 | 0.00% |
Average senior program assistant salary over time
Senior program assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,532 | $19.97 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $40,071 | $19.26 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $39,051 | $18.77 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | $37,780 | $18.16 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $36,760 | $17.67 | +4.7% |
Senior program assistant jobs by state
Most common states for senior program assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 200 | 29% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 148 | 20% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 161 | 17% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 203 | 15% |
| 5 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 487 | 14% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 149 | 14% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 143 | 14% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 712 | 13% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 519 | 13% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 394 | 13% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 108 | 12% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 639 | 11% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 212 | 11% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 195 | 11% |
| 15 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 143 | 11% |
| 16 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 717 | 10% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 207 | 10% |
| 18 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,695 | 9% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 539 | 9% |
| 20 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 128 | 9% |
Most common cities for senior program assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $48,257 |
| 2 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $38,488 |
| 3 | Tampa | 1 | 0% | $30,228 |
Senior Program Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior program assistant experts
Missouri University of Science & Technology
California State University Channel Islands
University of Iowa
Dixie State University
West Liberty University
West Virginia State University
Christi Patton Luks
Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic AffairsMissouri University of Science & Technology
Linda & Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
What technical skills for a Senior Program Assistant stand out to employers?
Christi Patton Luks: I've always felt that the most important thing we teach our students is problem-solving skills. The students who can readily relate the theory to their practical experience to develop new solutions are the most valuable. Engineering students that are active on design teams or took advantage of internships and co-ops are in great position for this.
What's a good job out of college for Senior Program Assistants?
Christi Patton Luks: A good job out of college is one that can be adapted to the individual's skills and interests and encourages them to stretch. Frequently, students think they want to work in a particular type of job. Once they have it, they discover that it was not what they thought it would be. Many companies rotate new employees through a variety of positions. Those are great for helping people find their own hidden talents. I know that I have discovered abilities that I would not have even attempted when I was 20.
Amanda Carpenter
DirectorCalifornia State University Channel Islands
Department of Career Development and Alumni Engagement
What technical skills for a Senior Program Assistant stand out to employers?
Amanda Carpenter: -Data analytics skills are critical technical skills that stand out to employers in today's market. According to NACE (2018), the use of data analytics is projected to have the most significant impact on an organization's operational efficiency and revenue generation.
-Source (NACE): www.naceweb.org
What's a good job out of college for Senior Program Assistants?
Amanda Carpenter: A solid position for a new college graduate offers training, ongoing development, organizational values alignment, and opportunities for professional growth within an organization. Gaining work experience is key and even if a new graduate is not applying for their ideal position. Staying focused on maintaining employment during this time is essential given the competitive market. Working with a staffing agency is a great way for a new graduate to explore career pathways and gain relevant work experience in temporary roles. For those who have seen job offers rescinded, this is a time to establish a career plan and maintain a keen focus on short and long-term career goals. New graduates should establish a career plan with contingency plans and always have backup options.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Program Assistants?
Brian Lai Ph.D.: I think the impact of the pandemic will be around for another year or so as in-person opportunities start to return. For graduates, the disruption in the economy and lack of in-person opportunities in traditional hiring areas (e.g. DC) has made it harder to find opportunities than before the pandemic.
What type of skills will young Senior Program Assistants need?
Brian Lai Ph.D.: They need to be able to write well, specifically be able to clearly summarize and analyze ideas, policies, and arguments in a succinct manner. They will need at least a working understanding of data analysis techniques, if not some ability to analyze data. In the field of IR, the ability to network and work in a group environment will be important.
What experience really stands out on Senior Program Assistant resumes?
Brian Lai Ph.D.: Authentic experiences that mirror what they will be doing in a job. So internships in similar kinds of positions or experiential learning opportunities that mirror what positions require you to do.
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.
Department Chair and Associate Professor of EnglishDixie State University
English Department
What skills stand out on Senior Program Assistant resumes?
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.: Writing skills have always been valued by employers, but anything that shows an ability to write, produce, or communicate in digital spaces will stand out. While employers are becoming increasingly comfortable having employees work and collaborate digitally (from home or elsewhere), they may still be reluctant to train employees how to do that. They want to see evidence that applicants will know how to use technology and stay productive without extensive training and without a supervisor having to stand behind them. That isn't to say training won't take place, but employers want to use their valuable time and resources training employees on their own systems, policies, and procedures; they don't want to have to show new-hires how to use Zoom, how to format a memo, how to write an email, or how to co-edit a document using OneDrive.
Dr. Darrin Cox
Professor of HistoryWest Liberty University
College of Liberal Arts
What Senior Program Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Darrin Cox: Reading. Then read some more. Read a wide array of materials from multiple perspectives related to your fields of interest and on topics that impact your immediate world. Reading will increase your specific knowledge in these areas, introduce you to competing interpretations, and hopefully stimulate critical thinking as you reconcile new information and perspectives into your own conclusions. Oh, and then read some more. Did I mention you should read?
Anne McConnell Ph.D.
ProfessorWest Virginia State University
English Department
What Senior Program Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Anne McConnell Ph.D.: I would encourage someone taking a gap year to branch out, seeking work experiences and employment situations that expose them to new skills and allow them to interact with a diverse set of people. Sometimes we find ourselves in a bubble-communicating with the same people, who tend to share the same ideas-and a gap year provides the opportunity to extend beyond that. Employers value employees who have open, flexible minds, and seeking out experiences that demonstrate that openness can be helpful.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Program Assistant?
Anne McConnell Ph.D.: I would say it's important to be very attentive to the way you communicate with your employers, managers, and co-workers. Even sending an e-mail can be an opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism and communication skills. Some people think that no one knows how to write anymore, or how to communicate in a professional way. I don't think that's true. But we don't always think about how our writing can be a tool to communicate our competence and seriousness. If you know how to write and communicate professionally-which college grads do-then make sure to demonstrate that in the workplace.