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 project 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 project managers:
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Senior Analyst/Project Manager is the highest-paid type of project manager with an average salary of $113,296 and an average hourly rate of $54.47.
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The second highest-paying type of project manager is senior project manager, with an average salary of $110,947.
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The average project manager salary is $91,578 per year, and the average hourly pay is $44.03.
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 project manager, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of project managers are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of project managers:
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Senior Analyst/Project Manager
Average Salary: $113,296
A senior analyst project manager’s main job is to track the milestones of their company’s important projects. They also manage the clients’ databases. They are responsible for distributing databases to the sales representatives. They also help in automating their company.
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Senior Project Manager
Average Salary: $110,947
Senior project managers are experienced employees assigned to oversee a specific project in the organization. They manage the project from conception to execution. They are onboard the project from the ideation phase, providing valuable insights to ensure the success of the project. Senior project managers are also in charge of managing the budget, ensuring that the expected timelines are followed, adjusting strategies when needed, and guiding project team members. It is important for senior project managers to be good leaders and communicators. They should be able to balance the interests of all the stakeholders involved in the project. They should have good interpersonal skills and decision-making skills.
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Project Engineering Manager
Average Salary: $110,534
A project engineering manager’s job is to oversee engineering projects in diverse industries, including transportation, software development, and utility industries. They are responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of intricate designs and evaluating and approving changes that may affect the scope, budget, and completion of a project. They also perform other essential tasks, including monitoring the project’s progress and performance, developing maintenance plans, and preparing expenditure reports. Project engineering managers are also expected to resolve any issues that may arise from operations.
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Technical Project Manager
Average Salary: $108,205
The role of technical project managers is to oversee the planning and management of projects within a company. They are considered as the lead subject matter expert in terms of technology concerns. They have varied duties that include ensuring the completion of projects within an established budget and time frame, hiring and training support members, and improving resource management and project planning. They also communicate with stakeholders and collaborate with other departments, all to attain a common goal.
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Information Technology Project Manager
Average Salary: $106,981
An information technology project manager is responsible for supervising the technology department, ensuring that all tasks are being done by following technological strategies and solutions. Information technology project managers’ duties include monitoring the technology team’s daily operation, handling team members’ concerns, managing customers’ inquiries and complaints, helping team members’ in achieving their professional growth, creating reports, sharing updates during team and board meetings, and maintaining effectivity of operational procedures. An information technology project manager must have excellent leadership and decision-making skills to decide on the best strategies in meeting the company’s objectives.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various project manager that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Project 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 project 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 Project Manager Jobs FAQs
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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 is $ 54.47 hourly.
A senior analyst project manager’s main job is to track the milestones of their company’s important projects. They also manage the clients’ databases. They are responsible for distributing databases to the sales representatives. They also help in automating their company.
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What is a good salary for a project manager?
A good salary for a project manager is $91,578 or more. The average project manager salary is $91,578, so those making at least $91,578 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average project 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 project manager, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $91,578 average, as this includes all project managers of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Project Manager jobs pay well?
Yes, project manager jobs pay well. As in any industry, some project manager jobs pay better than others, but the average project manager salary of $91,578 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many project manager jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of project managers earning $0 a year on average.
Project 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 project manager. Do your research on the going rate for a project 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 project managers get paid the most?
Project Managers get paid the most in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, project managers earn an average annual salary of $99,738 and an average hourly wage of $47.95.
Following MA, the states with the highest-paid project managers are Rhode Island, New Jersey, and California, with average annual salaries of $97,987, $98,945, and $101,635 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid project manager salaries are:
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San Francisco, CA – $108,794
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Boston, MA – $99,862
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Jersey City, NJ – $99,177
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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.
