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
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 |
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
Methodology & Data Sources — City Manager Salary
How we calculate City Manager salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $115,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to City Manager in the Government sector.
- Entry-level ($77,000) and senior-level ($162,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 7K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 13% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Government sector wages.
- Education requirement: Master's Degree (MPA), per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $115,000.
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 Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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