Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of program managers that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of program managers:
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Director Program Management is the highest-paid type of program manager with an average salary of $141,289 and an average hourly rate of $67.93.
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The second highest-paying type of program manager is engineering program manager, with an average salary of $122,604.
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The average program manager salary is $96,084 per year, and the average hourly pay is $46.19.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a program manager, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of program managers are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of program managers:
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Director Program Management
Average Salary: $141,289
The duties of a director of program management depend on one’s industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing the operations in particular areas, ensuring efficiency and productivity that will translate to sales. They are also responsible for devising strategies to optimize existing programs, spearheading new projects, setting goals and budget, resolving issues and concerns, and evaluating workforce performance. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce, all while implementing the company’s policies and regulations.
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Engineering Program Manager
Average Salary: $122,604
As an engineering program manager in the world of technology, it is their main responsibility to lead the development of important modules of new technology such as display, camera, touch ID, etc. It is their job to ensure that modules are correctly built according to specifications and given timeline. They drive day-to-day engineering related activities at the vendor’s factory to meet overall program ideas. They are knowledgeable of the hardware process development and other features like display or camera design.
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Lead Program Manager
Average Salary: $119,480
A lead program manager is responsible for coordinating departmental projects and ensuring that the programs adhere to the business guidelines and functions to achieve long-term goals and objectives. Lead program managers strategize techniques in developing business plans and managing budget allocation across departments. They also coordinate with clients for progress updates and modify program plans as needed. A lead program manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to finalize program outputs and assist the team in resolving project issues and delays.
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Deputy Program Manager
Average Salary: $115,694
A deputy program manager is responsible for planning productive and engaging activities that would develop active group coordination and efficiency, helping each participant to reach maximum potential and personal goals. Deputy program managers handle the business development activities from conceptualization to execution, identifying resources and materials, finalizing participants, and allocating adequate budget to support the program objectives. They also resolve planning issues and discrepancies accordingly and set alternative resources as needed to prevent delays.
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Manager, Program Management
Average Salary: $112,937
A program management manager is a professional who guides project managers and oversees and coordinates an organization’s projects, products, and other strategic initiatives. The day-to-day responsibilities of a program manager include planning the overall program, managing the program’s budget and the main program documents, and defining the program governance. The requirements to qualify for the program manager position including possessing a good managerial, business, and problem-solving skills and possessing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, management, or a related field.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various program manager that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Program Managers
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for program managers.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Program Manager Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid program manager job?
The highest-paid program manager job is a director program management. Directors Program Management earn an average salary of $141,289, which is $ 67.93 hourly.
The duties of a director of program management depend on one’s industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing the operations in particular areas, ensuring efficiency and productivity that will translate to sales. They are also responsible for devising strategies to optimize existing programs, spearheading new projects, setting goals and budget, resolving issues and concerns, and evaluating workforce performance. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce, all while implementing the company’s policies and regulations.
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What is a good salary for a program manager?
A good salary for a program manager is $96,084 or more. The average program manager salary is $96,084, so those making at least $96,084 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average program manager salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a program manager, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $96,084 average, as this includes all program managers of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Program Manager jobs pay well?
Yes, program manager jobs pay well. As in any industry, some program manager jobs pay better than others, but the average program manager salary of $96,084 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many program manager jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of program managers earning $0 a year on average.
Program Managers’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a program manager. Do your research on the going rate for a program manager in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do program managers get paid the most?
Program Managers get paid the most in Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, program managers earn an average annual salary of $91,487 and an average hourly wage of $43.98.
Following RI, the states with the highest-paid program managers are Washington, California, and New Jersey, with average annual salaries of $93,447, $103,085, and $95,411 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid program manager salaries are:
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San Francisco, CA – $110,079
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Seattle, WA – $94,596
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New York, NY – $91,874
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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.
