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 senior 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 senior project managers:
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Senior Analyst/Project Manager is the highest-paid type of senior 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 senior project manager is delivery manager, with an average salary of $113,280.
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The average senior project manager salary is $110,947 per year, and the average hourly pay is $53.34.
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 senior project manager, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of senior project managers are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of senior 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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Delivery Manager
Average Salary: $113,280
A delivery manager oversees the delivery process and workforce in a company, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around coordinating all personnel, managing budgets and schedules, and monitoring all shipments and logistics. A delivery manager must also review orders, address issues and concerns to provide corrective measures quickly, evaluate team members’ performance, and train new employees. They may also serve as the point of contact among clients and offer products or services. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team while implementing the company’s policies and guidelines.
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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.
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Project Manager/Team Lead
Average Salary: $106,977
Project Managers are responsible for managing and overseeing the operations of a project from inception to completion. Their duties include defining project scope, developing a project plan, creating work breakdown structures to distribute resources, and communicating responsibilities to all project team members and vendors. They organizie work schedules, set milestones, track project progress, resolve technical issues, articulate roadblocks to project sponsors, propose risk mitigation strategies, and maintain project documentation. Project Managers also handle file submission for project closure, conduct post-project evaluations, supervise project communications, act as chairman in project status meetings, develop project governance structures and liaise with system security managers to coordinate system security activities.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various senior project manager that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Senior 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 senior 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 Senior Project Manager Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid senior project manager job?
The highest-paid senior 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 senior project manager?
A good salary for a senior project manager is $110,947 or more. The average senior project manager salary is $110,947, so those making at least $110,947 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average senior 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 senior project manager, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $110,947 average, as this includes all senior project managers of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Senior Project Manager jobs pay well?
Yes, senior project manager jobs pay well. As in any industry, some senior project manager jobs pay better than others, but the average senior project manager salary of $110,947 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many senior project manager jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of senior project managers earning $0 a year on average.
Senior 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 senior project manager. Do your research on the going rate for a senior 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 senior project managers get paid the most?
Senior Project Managers get paid the most in Washington. In Washington, senior project managers earn an average annual salary of $120,359 and an average hourly wage of $57.86.
Following WA, the states with the highest-paid senior project managers are California, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, with average annual salaries of $126,460, $107,655, and $106,563 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid senior project manager salaries are:
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San Francisco, CA – $133,397
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Seattle, WA – $121,267
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Jersey City, NJ – $112,170
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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.
