Research Summary. Through comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team, we have identified the following insights regarding program manager salaries across various states in the United States for 2026:
-
California offers the highest average salary for program managers, at $103,085.
-
Oklahoma has the lowest average salary for program managers, at $66,207.
-
The national average salary for program managers stands at $96,084.
-
The national hourly wage for program managers is $46.19.
For more details, please refer to our methodology.
Background
In workforce surveys conducted across diverse demographics, salary consistently emerges as the top priority for job seekers, including those in the role of program managers. It’s vital to understand how much program managers can expect to earn in different locations.
While individual salaries may vary based on location and experience, the data provides a solid foundation for understanding average salaries for program managers across states, including breakdowns by seniority level. Although your specific city might deviate from state averages, these figures offer a reliable estimate of what you can anticipate earning.
As of 2026, California remains the leading state in terms of program manager salaries.
Here’s a brief overview of the top ten states for program manager salaries:
Let’s delve into the complete list and analysis of program manager salaries by state.
Highest-Paid Program Managers By State
| Rank | State | Average Program Manager Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $103,085 | $63,000 | $166,000 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $95,411 | $64,000 | $142,000 |
| 3 | Washington | $93,447 | $58,000 | $148,000 |
| 4 | New York | $91,607 | $61,000 | $136,000 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $91,487 | $61,000 | $135,000 |
| 6 | Delaware | $90,560 | $60,000 | $135,000 |
| 7 | Hawaii | $89,423 | $69,000 | $114,000 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $88,721 | $60,000 | $130,000 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $88,464 | $59,000 | $131,000 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $87,949 | $57,000 | $133,000 |
| 11 | Virginia | $87,018 | $57,000 | $131,000 |
| 12 | Michigan | $87,011 | $57,000 | $131,000 |
| 13 | North Carolina | $85,419 | $55,000 | $132,000 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $84,665 | $56,000 | $126,000 |
| 15 | Arizona | $84,324 | $51,000 | $137,000 |
| 16 | Illinois | $83,360 | $54,000 | $127,000 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $81,800 | $55,000 | $120,000 |
| 18 | Kentucky | $80,736 | $51,000 | $125,000 |
| 19 | Maryland | $80,640 | $53,000 | $121,000 |
| 20 | Ohio | $80,603 | $53,000 | $122,000 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $80,114 | $51,000 | $123,000 |
| 22 | Indiana | $79,869 | $52,000 | $122,000 |
| 23 | Oregon | $79,004 | $49,000 | $125,000 |
| 24 | Georgia | $78,603 | $48,000 | $126,000 |
| 25 | Vermont | $77,756 | $52,000 | $114,000 |
| 26 | Texas | $77,410 | $46,000 | $128,000 |
| 27 | Nevada | $77,285 | $47,000 | $125,000 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $76,730 | $50,000 | $116,000 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $76,038 | $49,000 | $116,000 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $75,750 | $47,000 | $120,000 |
| 31 | Maine | $74,664 | $50,000 | $109,000 |
| 32 | Alaska | $74,400 | $51,000 | $108,000 |
| 33 | Missouri | $73,602 | $46,000 | $115,000 |
| 34 | Iowa | $73,532 | $47,000 | $114,000 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $73,243 | $44,000 | $119,000 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $72,719 | $43,000 | $120,000 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $72,533 | $45,000 | $114,000 |
| 38 | Alabama | $72,494 | $44,000 | $117,000 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $72,379 | $46,000 | $112,000 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $71,273 | $43,000 | $116,000 |
| 41 | Florida | $70,731 | $42,000 | $116,000 |
| 42 | Idaho | $69,694 | $43,000 | $110,000 |
| 43 | Montana | $69,608 | $44,000 | $108,000 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $68,764 | $43,000 | $107,000 |
| 45 | Colorado | $68,050 | $42,000 | $108,000 |
| 46 | Kansas | $67,607 | $42,000 | $107,000 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $67,108 | $41,000 | $108,000 |
| 48 | Utah | $67,064 | $41,000 | $107,000 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $66,339 | $42,000 | $104,000 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $66,207 | $41,000 | $106,000 |
Methodology: Program Manager Salary By State
To accurately assess program manager salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various credible sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. We enhance this data with actual salaries listed in job postings. The data science team then calculates a weighted average of these figures to derive average pay for program managers in each state.
This analysis ranks all states based on their average annual salary for program managers, identifying the state with the highest average compensation.
Program Manager Salary By State FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid state for program managers?
The highest-paid state for program managers is California, with an average salary of $103,085 per year.
-
What city pays program managers the most?
San Francisco, CA offers the highest salaries for program managers, averaging $110,079 per year.
-
What is the worst state for program managers?
The state with the lowest average salary for program managers is Oklahoma, at $66,207 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
