Sustainability Manager Salary in 2026
Develop and implement sustainability strategies, track ESG metrics, and drive environmental initiatives.
Median Salary
$95,000
$7,917/mo
Entry Level
$58,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$145,000
experienced
Job Growth
+28%
10-yr outlook
Sustainability Manager Overview
Develop and implement sustainability strategies, track ESG metrics, and drive environmental initiatives.
Education
Bachelor's or Master's
Experience
3-6 years
Industry
Operations
Total Jobs (US)
65K
5-Year Growth
+22%
Category
Operations
Hourly Rate
$45.67/hr
Monthly Pay
$7,917
Sustainability Manager Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Sustainability Manager salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Sustainability Manager Salary
$115,000
$9,583/month · $4,423/biweekly · $55.29/hr
Sustainability Manager Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Sustainability Manager field.
Entry-level Sustainability Managers earn around $58,000, while the top 10% earn $161,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Sustainability Managers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $112,000 | +$17,000 |
| New York | $109,000 | +$14,000 |
| Washington | $106,000 | +$11,000 |
| Colorado | $100,000 | +$5,000 |
| Oregon | $98,000 | +$3,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Sustainability Managers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $119,000 | +$24,000 |
| New York | $112,000 | +$17,000 |
| Seattle | $108,000 | +$13,000 |
| Denver | $101,000 | +$6,000 |
| Portland | $101,000 | +$6,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Sustainability Manager Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Sustainability Manager from entry level to expert.
$58,000
0-2 years
$102,000
3-7 years
$145,000
8-14 years
$178,000
15+ years
Sustainability Manager Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Sustainability Manager Salary
How we calculate Sustainability 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: $95,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Sustainability Manager in the Operations sector.
- Entry-level ($58,000) and senior-level ($145,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +28% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 65K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 22% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Operations sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's or Master's, 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 $95,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Sustainability Manager compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Sustainability 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 Operations
- 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: Sustainability Manager salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (ESG Reporting, Carbon Accounting, GRI Standards), 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 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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