Nonprofit Program Manager Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$78,000
estimated national base salary
$62,000 to $101,000. Last updated September 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $80,390 for Social and Community Service Managers (SOC 11-9151) across the United States, based on 209,330 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$53,150
25th percentile
$64,290
Median
$80,390
75th percentile
$103,200
90th percentile
$132,260
Workers surveyed
209,330
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$78,240
May 2025 release
$80,390
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Social and Community Service Managers (SOC 11-9151) rather than Nonprofit Program Manager specifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 11-9151Highest Paying
$109,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$82,000
Austin, TX
Lowest Paying
$60,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated September 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 11-9151. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Nonprofit Program Manager salary in the United States at $78,000 in 2026, within a range of $62,000 to $101,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $109,000, while Austin offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Organization budget size is the strongest predictor, with managers at large national nonprofits earning 30 to 50% more than those at small community organizations.
Nonprofit Program Manager salary by city.
Skills that increase Nonprofit Program Manager pay.
The premiums below are Orbyt's modelled scenarios for Nonprofit Program Managers, not effects measured from job postings: each is a fixed percentage applied to the estimated base. At the top premium that works out to $10,920 a year.
≈ +$10,920 per year
≈ +$10,140 per year
≈ +$9,360 per year
≈ +$8,580 per year
≈ +$8,580 per year
≈ +$7,800 per year
≈ +$7,800 per year
≈ +$7,020 per year
What you should know.
Organization budget size is the strongest predictor, with managers at large national nonprofits earning 30 to 50% more than those at small community organizations. Program area matters, with healthcare, education, and international development nonprofits paying more than arts or advocacy groups. Grant management experience and fundraising skills boost compensation.
Program coordinators start at $42,000 to $52,000. Program managers earn $60,000 to $80,000 after three to five years. Directors of programs reach $80,000 to $110,000, with VPs at large national nonprofits earning $110,000 to $160,000 or more.
Benefits vary widely by organization size. Large nonprofits offer competitive packages including retirement matching, health insurance, and generous PTO. Smaller organizations may offer flexibility, mission alignment, and student loan assistance through PSLF eligibility in lieu of higher base pay.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Nonprofit Program Managers typically earn $70,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Nonprofit Program Manager pay.
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