The full salary range for project managers runs from $61,580 at the 10th percentile to $167,970 at the 90th percentile. For most hiring decisions, the practical range to budget within is $78,440 to $133,100, which covers the middle 50% of earners. Where you set your offer within that band should reflect the candidate's experience level and the complexity of the role.
Project manager salary in the US (2026)
The average project manager salary in the US is $110,740. The median of $102,320 is the better anchor for most hiring decisions, because it reflects what the typical project manager earns without being pulled upward by high earners at the top of the range. The $28,000 gap between the median and the mean tells you that senior and specialized project managers command salaries well above the midpoint, so your offer strategy should account for where in the experience spectrum your role sits.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Average annual salary | $110,740 |
Median annual salary | $102,320 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 1,066,670 employed project managers across the US.
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Project manager salary percentiles
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th percentile | $61,580 |
25th percentile | $78,440 |
75th percentile | $133,100 |
90th percentile | $167,970 |
If you are hiring a mid-level project manager, anchoring your offer between $78,440 and $102,320 keeps you competitive without overpaying for the role. Senior or highly specialized candidates can command up to $167,970, so budget accordingly when the position requires deep technical or program management expertise.
How project manager salaries compare across states
State | Average annual salary | Median annual salary |
Washington | $127,580 | $124,160 |
New York | $126,260 | $121,040 |
California | $124,430 | $120,910 |
Virginia | $123,390 | $120,840 |
Massachusetts | $120,970 | $114,190 |
Colorado | $118,680 | $110,050 |
Illinois | $111,230 | $103,470 |
Georgia | $108,080 | $102,140 |
Texas | $104,210 | $98,440 |
Florida | $103,780 | $98,070 |
If you are hiring project managers in Washington, New York, California, or Virginia, plan for salary budgets meaningfully above the national average of $110,740, with those states averaging between $123,390 and $127,580. Texas and Florida sit closer to the national median at $98,440 and $98,070 respectively, which gives employers in those markets more room to compete without stretching compensation budgets.
Frequently asked questions about Project Manager salary in the US
What is the salary range for a project manager in the US?
What is the average project manager salary in the US?
The average project manager salary in the US is $110,740. The median of $102,320 is a more reliable benchmark for setting offers, since it is less influenced by high earners at the senior end of the market. For a mid-level hire, targeting near the median gives you a defensible and competitive starting point.
What do the top-earning project managers make nationally?
Project managers at the 90th percentile earn $167,970 annually. Candidates at this level typically bring deep program management experience, technical specialization, or a track record managing large, complex portfolios. If you are competing for talent at this tier, expect to budget well above the national average of $110,740.
Which states pay the most for project managers?
Washington, New York, California, and Virginia pay the most for project managers, with average salaries ranging from $123,390 to $127,580. If your team is distributed across multiple states, you will need location-based pay bands to stay competitive in high-cost markets while managing costs in lower-wage states like Florida ($103,780) and Texas ($104,210).
More salary data
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, for Project Management Specialists (SOC 13-1082).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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Project manager salary in Georgia (2026)
Georgia project managers earn $102,140 median salary. Compare pay by city, percentile, and neighboring states to budget your next hire confidently.
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Project manager salary in Maryland (2026)
Maryland project managers earn a median $104,040 per year. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how Maryland compares to neighboring states.
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Project manager salary in Arizona (2026)
Arizona project managers earn a median $99,050 and average $105,310. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how Arizona compares to neighboring states.
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Project manager salary in New Jersey (2026)
Project manager salaries in New Jersey average $127,900, 15.5% above the national mean. See pay by city, percentile, and how NJ compares to neighboring states.
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Project manager salary in Ohio (2026)
Ohio project managers earn a median $95,770 per year. Compare salaries by city, percentile, and neighboring states to set competitive offers.
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