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Director of Programs Salary in California

The Director of Programs position in California nonprofit organizations encompasses program leadership positions overseeing mission-driven services and program delivery. This benchmark data reflects compensation trends from IRS Form 990 filings for organizations headquartered in California, providing transparent and verifiable salary information for this critical role.

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Director of Programs

California

Median Salary

$176,100

Range: $105,463 - $288,693 (10th - 90th percentile)

Strong benchmark (2,723 records, 981 orgs)

Based on 981 organizations (2,723 positions)

Compensation Distribution in California

Salary Distribution
P10$105,463
P25$144,466
Median$176,100
P75$225,838
P90$288,693

Understanding Director of Programs Compensation in California

The Director of Programs role is a critical position within nonprofit organizations in California. Compensation for this position varies based on several factors:

  • Cost of Living: California's cost of living affects salary expectations, with metropolitan areas typically offering higher compensation.
  • Organization Size: Larger nonprofits with bigger budgets typically offer higher compensation packages.
  • Sector: Different nonprofit sectors (health, education, social services, etc.) have varying compensation norms.
  • Local Market: Competition for talent in California and the density of nonprofit organizations influence salary ranges.

About This Data

This benchmark data is sourced from IRS Form 990 filings submitted by nonprofit organizations in California. Form 990 reports compensation for officers, directors, trustees, key employees earning over $150,000, and the five highest-compensated employees earning over $100,000. For general staff positions not covered by Form 990, we supplement with Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data.

Compare With Other States

Nonprofit compensation can vary significantly by state. Use our interactive tool to compare Director of Programs salaries across different states and filter by organization size and sector.

Related Job Titles

This position may also be known as: Program Director, Programs Director, Dir of Programs, Dir. of Programs, Director Programs, Director, Programs, Director of Program Services.

Related Roles

These positions are in the same peer group and may have similar compensation profiles in California:

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