Average Salary Range for a Nonprofit Program Development Director

Female nonprofit program directors earn less than males in comprable positions.as of October, 2010

Nonprofit program development directors are responsible for creating, implementing and successfully managing the programs their organization provides. They frequently hire, train and motivate staff, and report on program progress and success to funders, the board of directors and the CEO. Nonprofit program development directors usually have earned a bachelor's degree and have several years of successful experience in program administration or a related field. Salaries vary depending upon the size, type, and location of the nonprofit organization.

Organization Size

The "Chronicle of Philanthropy" surveyed nonprofit salaries in conjunction with Guidestar in October, 2010, reporting that program directors of large nonprofit organizations with budgets over $50 million earned a median salary of $162,283. Program directors at mid-sized nonprofits with budgets between $5 million and $9.9 million were paid an average of $75,938 a year. Those working for smaller organizations with budgets of between $500,000 and $1 million earned $58,734 a year, on average.

Gender Differences

Men are frequently paid more than women across nonprofit enterprises, according to reports compiled by the "Chronicle of Philanthropy." As of October, 2010, female program directors for the largest nonprofits earned an average of $144,993 a year, compared to $184,151 earned by male program directors. Mid-sized nonprofits with budgets between $5 million and $9.9 million paid female program directors $75,356 a year, compared to the annual salary of male program directors at similar organizations, who earned $78,810 annually.

Salary Range

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies nonprofit program directors as general program managers. As of May, 2010, the median salary for all nonprofit general program managers was $71,710. Nationwide, nonprofit general program managers in the 10th percentile earned $35,850 a year, and those in the 75th percentile earned $99,370 a year. The top 10 percent of nonprofit general program managers earned $140,590 or more, according to the BLS.

Qualifications

The Bridgestar management consultants recommend that medium or small nonprofits hire program development directors with a bachelor's degree, and preferably a master's degree in business administration or a related field. Bridgestar recommends hiring program directors who have at least 10 years of experience. Successful program directors must have excellent organizational, human resources, planning, evaluation, training, and implementation skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are also required.

References

• "The Chronicle of Philanthropy"; Median Pay for Top Program Officials at Nonprofits; October 2010
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: May 2010 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates NAICS 813300 - Social Advocacy Organizations
• Bridgestar: Director of Programs Job Description
• "The Chronicle of Philanthropy"; Gender Gap in Nonprofit Salaries Persists, Survey Finds; Ben Gose; September 2010