Research Summary. The Zippia data team has compiled average salary estimates for project management roles across the U.S. by analyzing a combination of public government data and job postings. This report identifies the highest-paying project manager positions based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of project managers:
-
Senior Analyst/Project Manager positions rank as the highest-paid project manager role, offering an average salary of $113,296 and an hourly wage of $54.47.
-
The second highest-paying position is the Senior Project Manager, with an average salary of $110,947.
-
The overall average salary for project managers is $91,578 per year, with an average hourly pay of $44.03.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging. While salary is an essential factor, it should not be the sole consideration. If you aspire to be a project manager, understanding which roles offer the highest pay can help you strategize your career development.
Here are the top salaries for different project manager roles:
-
Senior Analyst/Project Manager
Average Salary: $113,296
The primary responsibility of a Senior Analyst Project Manager is to monitor the progress of key company projects and manage client databases, distributing them to sales teams while facilitating automation processes within the company.
-
Senior Project Manager
Average Salary: $110,947
Senior Project Managers are experienced professionals responsible for overseeing projects from inception to completion, ensuring that objectives are met within budget and time constraints. They provide critical insights during the project ideation phase, manage budgets, timelines, and lead the project team while balancing stakeholder interests.
-
Project Engineering Manager
Average Salary: $110,534
Project Engineering Managers oversee engineering projects across industries like transportation and software. They manage designs, oversee project implementation, and resolve operational issues while monitoring project performance and preparing expenditure reports.
-
Technical Project Manager
Average Salary: $108,205
Technical Project Managers lead project planning and execution within tech environments, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. They manage resources, collaborate with departments, and communicate with stakeholders to achieve project goals.
-
Information Technology Project Manager
Average Salary: $106,981
Information Technology Project Managers supervise technology departments, ensuring adherence to strategic objectives. Their responsibilities include managing operations, addressing team concerns, and maintaining efficient operational procedures.
Below is a comprehensive table of the highest-paying project manager roles, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Project Managers
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly available information from government sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to generate its salary estimates.
The data science team also reviews job postings and company reports to ensure salary information is current. After gathering the data, they calculate a weighted average for each job title. For more details on our salary estimates, visit our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Project Manager Jobs FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid project manager job?
The highest-paid project manager job is a Senior Analyst/Project Manager. Senior Analyst/Project Managers earn an average salary of $113,296, which equates to $54.47 per hour.
Their primary responsibility includes tracking milestones of critical company projects while managing client databases and facilitating automation within the organization.
-
What is a good salary for a project manager?
A good salary for a project manager is $91,578 or more. This average indicates that those earning at least this amount are above the median pay for project managers.
However, remember that salaries can fluctuate based on location, as companies may adjust pay based on local cost of living. Research average salaries in your area for a better understanding of your compensation.
-
Do Project Manager jobs pay well?
Yes, project manager jobs typically pay well. The average project manager salary of $91,578 is significantly higher than the national average salary of approximately $44,225 per year.
Additionally, many project manager roles offer substantial earning potential, especially for those in the top 10% of earners.
-
Where do project managers get paid the most?
Project Managers earn the highest salaries in Massachusetts. In this state, project managers have an average annual salary of $99,738 and an hourly rate of $47.95.
Following Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and California offer competitive salaries, with averages of $97,987, $98,945, and $101,635, respectively.
The cities with the highest project manager salaries include:
-
San Francisco, CA – $108,794
-
Boston, MA – $99,862
-
Jersey City, NJ – $99,177
-
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.
