Portfolio Manager Salary in 2026
Manage investment portfolios for individuals or institutions to achieve financial objectives.
Median Salary
$166,570
$13,881/mo
Entry Level
$109,100
starting pay
Senior Level
$258,500
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Financial Managers (SOC 11-3031, the closest published occupation to Portfolio Manager) at a national median of $166,570 per year (mean $186,910), or $80.08 per hour, with 841,710 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Portfolio Manager Overview
Manage investment portfolios for individuals or institutions to achieve financial objectives.
Education
Bachelor's/MBA
Experience
5-10 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
842K
5-Year Growth
+25%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$80.08/hr
Monthly Pay
$13,881
Portfolio Manager Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Portfolio Manager salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Portfolio Manager Salary
$208,000
$17,333/month · $8,000/biweekly · $100.00/hr
Portfolio Manager Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Portfolio Manager field.
Entry-level Portfolio Managers earn around $109,100, while the top 10% earn $330,300 or more.
Top Paying States for Portfolio Managers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $197,000 | +$30,430 |
| New York | $192,000 | +$25,430 |
| Massachusetts | $187,000 | +$20,430 |
| Connecticut | $183,000 | +$16,430 |
| Illinois | $173,000 | +$6,430 |
Top Paying Cities for Portfolio Managers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $208,000 | +$41,430 |
| New York | $197,000 | +$30,430 |
| Stamford | $192,000 | +$25,430 |
| Boston | $187,000 | +$20,430 |
| Chicago | $175,000 | +$8,430 |
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.
Portfolio Manager Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Portfolio Manager.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Portfolio Manager Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Portfolio Manager from entry level to expert.
$109,100
0-2 years
$184,000
3-7 years
$258,500
8-14 years
$402,100
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Portfolio Manager Salary FAQ
How much does a Portfolio Manager make in 2026?
The median salary for a Portfolio Manager in the United States is $166,570 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Financial Managers (SOC 11-3031); the mean is $186,910. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $109,100, senior professionals around $258,500, and top earners at $402,100 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Portfolio Manager?
A Portfolio Manager typically requires a Bachelor's/MBA with 5-10 years of experience. Key skills include Portfolio Construction, Risk Management, Asset Allocation. Relevant certifications such as CFA or CAIA can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Portfolio Managers?
The job market for Portfolio Managers is projected to grow by 5% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 842K Portfolio Manager positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 25%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Portfolio Managers the most?
The highest-paying states for Portfolio Managers include New York, California, Connecticut. In New York, the median salary is approximately $192,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Portfolio Manager salary?
To increase your Portfolio Manager salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Portfolio Construction and Risk Management. Pursue certifications such as CFA. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 5-10 years of experience, you can progress from $109,100 to $258,500 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Portfolio Manager Salary
How we calculate Portfolio Manager salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Financial Managers (SOC 11-3031), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $166,570, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Financial Managers; BLS mean $186,910; BLS hourly median $80.08.
- Entry-level ($109,100) and senior-level ($258,500) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 841,710 Financial Managers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 25% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Finance sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's/MBA, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $166,570; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Portfolio Manager compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Portfolio 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 Finance
- 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: Portfolio Manager salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Portfolio Construction, Risk Management, Asset Allocation), 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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