City Manager Salary in 2026
City managers oversee the daily operations of municipal governments, managing budgets, staff, and public services. They implement policies set by elected officials and coordinate city departments.
Median Salary
$115,000
$9,583/mo
Entry Level
$77,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$162,000
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Chief Executives (SOC 11-1011, the closest published occupation to City Manager) at a national median of $213,990 per year (mean $269,630), or $102.88 per hour, with 204,350 people employed nationwide. Salario's $115,000 median above is a title-level estimate and is not rescaled to this broader occupation. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
City Manager Overview
City managers oversee the daily operations of municipal governments, managing budgets, staff, and public services. They implement policies set by elected officials and coordinate city departments.
Education
Master's Degree (MPA)
Experience
8-12 years
Industry
Government
Total Jobs (US)
7K
5-Year Growth
+13%
Category
Government
Hourly Rate
$55.29/hr
Monthly Pay
$9,583
City Manager Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated City Manager salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated City Manager Salary
$133,000
$11,083/month · $5,115/biweekly · $63.94/hr
City Manager Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the City Manager field.
Entry-level City Managers earn around $77,000, while the top 10% earn $181,000 or more.
Top Paying States for City Managers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $136,000 | +$21,000 |
| Colorado | $121,000 | +$6,000 |
| Texas | $113,000 | $-2,000 |
| Florida | $113,000 | $-2,000 |
| North Carolina | $110,000 | $-5,000 |
Top Paying Cities for City Managers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $129,000 | +$14,000 |
| Denver | $122,000 | +$7,000 |
| Miami | $117,000 | +$2,000 |
| Dallas | $115,000 | $0 |
| Charlotte | $110,000 | $-5,000 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
City Manager Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a City Manager from entry level to expert.
$77,000
0-2 years
$120,000
3-7 years
$162,000
8-14 years
$200,000
15+ years
Related Government Jobs
City Manager Salary FAQ
How much does a City Manager make in 2026?
Salario's modeled median salary for a City Manager in the United States is $115,000 per year in 2026. Entry-level positions start around $77,000, while senior professionals earn up to $162,000. Top earners in the field can make $200,000 or more annually. For reference, BLS OEWS May 2025 reports a $213,990 national median for the broader occupation Chief Executives (SOC 11-1011).
What education is needed to become a City Manager?
A City Manager typically requires a Master's Degree (MPA) with 8-12 years of experience. Key skills include Public Administration, Budgeting, Policy Development. Relevant certifications such as ICMA Certification or MPA Degree can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for City Managers?
The job market for City Managers is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 7K City Manager positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 13%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay City Managers the most?
The highest-paying states for City Managers include California, Texas, Florida. In California, the median salary is approximately $136,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my City Manager salary?
To increase your City Manager salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Public Administration and Budgeting. Pursue certifications such as ICMA Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 8-12 years of experience, you can progress from $77,000 to $162,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: City Manager Salary
How we calculate City Manager salary data: City Manager has no exact BLS occupation. The national median, tiers, state and city figures are Salario estimates for the title; the closest published BLS occupation (Chief Executives, SOC 11-1011) is shown above for reference but is not used to rescale the model because its wage level does not describe this title.
- National median salary: $115,000, Salario estimate (not a BLS value).
- Entry-level ($77,000) and senior-level ($162,000) are Salario tiers; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 7K total positions nationwide (Salario estimate).
- 5-year salary growth: 13% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Government sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Master's Degree (MPA), per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $115,000; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for City Manager compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, City Manager job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Government
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: City Manager salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Public Administration, Budgeting, Policy Development), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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