Project Manager Salary in 2026
Plan, execute, and close projects on time and within budget while managing teams and stakeholder expectations.
Median Salary
$102,320
$8,527/mo
Entry Level
$59,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$150,200
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Project Management Specialists (SOC 13-1082) at a national median of $102,320 per year (mean $110,740), or $49.19 per hour, with 1,066,670 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.
Project Manager Overview
Plan, execute, and close projects on time and within budget while managing teams and stakeholder expectations.
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
2-5 years
Industry
Total Jobs (US)
1.1M
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Business
Hourly Rate
$49.19/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,527
Project Manager Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Project Manager salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Project Manager Salary
$119,000
$9,917/month · $4,577/biweekly · $57.21/hr
Project Manager Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Project Manager field.
Entry-level Project Managers earn around $59,000, while the top 10% earn $172,750 or more.
Top Paying States for Project Managers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $121,000 | +$18,680 |
| New York | $118,000 | +$15,680 |
| Illinois | $106,000 | +$3,680 |
| Texas | $100,000 | $-2,320 |
| Florida | $100,000 | $-2,320 |
Top Paying Cities for Project Managers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New YorkBLS metro | $126,660 | +$24,340 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $108,310 | +$5,990 |
| ChicagoBLS metro | $105,320 | +$3,000 |
| PhoenixBLS metro | $100,780 | $-1,540 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $99,510 | $-2,810 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Project Management Specialists in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Project Manager Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Project Manager.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Project Manager Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Project Manager from entry level to expert.
$59,000
0-2 years
$105,000
3-7 years
$150,200
8-14 years
$195,300
15+ years
Related Business Jobs
Project Manager Salary FAQ
How much does a Project Manager make in 2026?
The median salary for a Project Manager in the United States is $102,320 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Project Management Specialists (SOC 13-1082); the mean is $110,740. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $59,000, senior professionals around $150,200, and top earners at $195,300 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Project Manager?
A Project Manager typically requires a Bachelor's degree with 2-5 years of experience. Key skills include Communication, Problem solving, Teamwork. Relevant certifications such as can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Project Managers?
The job market for Project Managers is projected to grow by 5% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 1.1M Project Manager positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 15%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Project Managers the most?
The highest-paying states for Project Managers include California, Texas, New York. In California, the median salary is approximately $121,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Project Manager salary?
To increase your Project Manager salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Communication and Problem solving. Pursue certifications such as industry-specific credentials. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 2-5 years of experience, you can progress from $59,000 to $150,200 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Project Manager Salary
How we calculate Project Manager salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Project Management Specialists (SOC 13-1082), 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: $102,320, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Project Management Specialists; BLS mean $110,740; BLS hourly median $49.19.
- Entry-level ($59,000) and senior-level ($150,200) 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 1,066,670 Project Management Specialists jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $102,320; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Project Manager compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Project 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
- 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: Project Manager salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Communication, Problem solving, Teamwork), 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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