Project Manager Salary in USA 2025
Average pay, PMP certification premium, and industry comparison
Average Total Compensation
How Much Do Project Managers Earn in 2025?
Project managers are professionals who plan, execute, and close projects—coordinating teams, budgets, timelines, and deliverables across virtually every industry. It's a role that exists everywhere projects exist: construction, IT, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, consulting, and beyond.
2025 national data shows varied averages depending on source: some cite around $97,000–$105,000 base salary, while others report $109,000+ when including bonuses and additional compensation. The variation reflects differences in certification status, industry, experience, and geographic location.
The biggest salary differentiator is certification. PMP (Project Management Professional) certification typically adds a 20–33% salary premium, with PMP holders averaging $117,000–$120,000 compared to non-certified project managers around $90,000. Industry also matters significantly—energy, aerospace, and finance pay $120,000–$137,000+, while other sectors pay less. Project management consistently ranks among jobs that pay $100K+. For broader context, see the average salary in the US.
National Average Salary: Base Pay and Total Compensation
Multiple data sources provide a picture of project manager compensation in 2025:
| Metric (USA 2025) | Approximate Value |
|---|---|
| Average base salary | $97,000–$105,000 |
| Average total compensation (base + bonus) | $109,000+ |
| IT project manager median range | $82,000–$131,000 |
| Entry-level / Project Coordinator | $58,000–$66,000 |
| Mid-career Project Manager | $97,000–$105,000 |
| Senior Project Manager | $104,000–$132,000 |
| Program Manager | $120,000–$170,000 |
For context, the average US salary is approximately $60,000–$65,000. Project managers earn significantly above average at all experience levels.
Salary by Experience and Role Level
Project management offers clear career progression with corresponding salary increases at each level.
| Role / Level | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Assistant Project Manager | $58,000–$65,000 |
| Project Coordinator | $65,000–$68,000 |
| Project Manager | $97,000–$105,000 |
| IT Project Manager | $94,000–$115,000 |
| Technical Project Manager | $117,000–$125,000 |
| Senior Project Manager | $104,000–$132,000 |
| Implementation Manager | $110,000–$120,000 |
| Program Manager | $120,000–$170,000 |
| Director of Project Management | $140,000–$175,000 |
| Director of Operations | $150,000–$197,000 |
Career Progression Path
Typical advancement: Project Coordinator → Project Manager → Senior PM → Program Manager → Director → VP of Operations/PMO. Each step typically brings 15–25% salary increases. PMP certification accelerates this progression.
Project Manager Salary by Industry
Industry is a major pay driver. The same project management skills command vastly different compensation depending on sector.
| Industry | Average PM Salary |
|---|---|
| Energy, Mining & Utilities | $136,500+ |
| Aerospace & Defense | $122,000–$123,000 |
| Construction & Engineering | $120,000–$121,000 |
| Financial Services | $120,000–$121,000 |
| Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology | $119,000–$120,000 |
| Consulting | $110,000–$120,000 |
| Healthcare | $100,000–$110,000 |
| IT / Technology | $94,000–$115,000 |
| Manufacturing | $90,000–$105,000 |
| Nonprofit / Government | $75,000–$95,000 |
Why Industry Matters
Project complexity: Energy, aerospace, and construction involve complex, high-stakes projects with significant budgets.
Regulatory requirements: Pharmaceuticals and financial services require rigorous documentation and compliance management.
Budget size: Larger project budgets correlate with higher PM compensation.
Industry profitability: High-margin industries can afford premium talent.
Salary by Location and Metro Area
Geographic location influences project manager compensation, though the effect is somewhat moderated by remote work options.
Top-Paying Metro Areas
Cincinnati, OH: ~$115,500 average (strong manufacturing and healthcare sectors)
San Francisco, CA: ~$115,000 average (tech hub premium)
San Diego, CA: ~$113,000 average (defense and biotech presence)
Seattle, WA: ~$112,000 average (tech and aerospace)
New York, NY: ~$110,000 average (financial services concentration)
Remote Work Impact
Remote project manager roles average approximately $109,000—roughly 14% above the national base average. Remote work allows PMs to access high-paying opportunities regardless of location, though some companies adjust pay based on cost of living.
Cost of Living Considerations
Coastal tech hubs pay 10–20% above national averages, but cost of living often erodes the premium. A $115,000 salary in San Francisco may provide less purchasing power than $100,000 in Cincinnati or Dallas.
Project Manager Salary by Company
Employer significantly impacts compensation. Here's how some major employers compare:
| Company | Average PM Salary |
|---|---|
| Jacobs Engineering Group | $115,600 |
| Lockheed Martin | $106,800 |
| Booz Allen Hamilton | $105,800 |
| Amazon | $103,700 |
| Northrop Grumman | $97,100 |
| Cisco Systems | $95,600 |
| IBM | $88,900 |
| Siemens | $87,300 |
Defense contractors and engineering firms tend to pay at the top of the range. Tech companies vary widely—large enterprises like Amazon pay well, while startups may offer lower base salaries with equity compensation.
What Project Managers Do: Role and Work Environment
Understanding the work helps contextualize compensation and career fit.
Core Responsibilities
Project managers: define project scope, objectives, and deliverables, create detailed project plans, schedules, and budgets, coordinate cross-functional teams and stakeholders, identify and manage risks and issues, track progress and adjust plans as needed, communicate status to leadership and stakeholders, ensure projects deliver on time, within budget, and to specification, and document lessons learned and improve processes.
Work Settings
Project managers work in virtually every industry: corporate offices (finance, healthcare, tech), construction sites and manufacturing plants, consulting firms serving multiple clients, government agencies and contractors, and increasingly, fully remote or hybrid arrangements.
Key Skills
Success requires: communication and stakeholder management, leadership and team motivation, risk assessment and problem-solving, organization and attention to detail, technical knowledge relevant to industry, and proficiency with PM tools (MS Project, Jira, Asana, etc.).
Job Outlook and Career Growth
Project management offers strong career prospects with clear advancement paths.
Employment Outlook
Project management roles remain in high demand across industries. Organizations increasingly recognize that structured project management improves outcomes, driving sustained hiring. BLS projects steady growth, and industry surveys show most companies plan to increase PM headcount.
Demand Drivers
Digital transformation: Technology projects require skilled PMs to coordinate complex implementations.
Regulatory compliance: Healthcare, finance, and pharma need PMs to manage compliance initiatives.
Infrastructure investment: Government spending on infrastructure creates construction and engineering PM demand.
Agile adoption: Organizations transitioning to Agile need PMs who can bridge traditional and Agile methodologies.
Career Progression
Typical path: Project Coordinator ($65K) → Project Manager ($100K) → Senior PM ($120K) → Program Manager ($150K) → Director ($175K) → VP/PMO Leader ($200K+). PMP certification and industry expertise accelerate advancement.
How to Increase Your Project Manager Salary
Several strategies can significantly boost project management compensation.
Earn PMP Certification
The single highest-ROI investment for most project managers. PMP adds 20–33% to salary on average. Investment: ~$555 exam fee (PMI member) plus preparation time/courses. Return: $20,000–$30,000+ annually.
Gain Industry-Specific Experience
Move into high-paying sectors: energy, aerospace, construction, financial services, or pharmaceuticals. Industry expertise commands premium compensation.
Advance to Senior/Technical Roles
Senior Project Managers and Technical PMs earn $115,000–$132,000. Seek complex, high-visibility projects that demonstrate readiness for advancement.
Develop Complementary Certifications
Add Agile credentials (CSM, PMI-ACP), risk management (PMI-RMP), or technical certifications relevant to your industry. Multiple certifications compound value.
Target High-Paying Markets
Relocate to high-paying metros or pursue remote roles with national pay scales. Cincinnati, San Francisco, and San Diego offer top PM salaries.
Move Into Program Management or Leadership
Program managers ($120K–$170K) and directors ($150K–$197K) significantly out-earn individual contributor PMs. Build leadership skills and pursue management opportunities.
Negotiate Effectively
Know your market value based on certification, experience, and industry. See our salary negotiation guide for tactics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average project manager salary in 2025?
Average project manager salary is approximately $97,000–$105,000 base, or $109,000+ including bonuses and additional compensation. This varies significantly by certification status, industry, and experience level.
How much more do PMP-certified project managers make?
PMP certification adds approximately 20–33% to salary. Non-certified PMs average ~$90,000, while PMP holders average $117,000–$120,000. Over a career, this premium compounds to hundreds of thousands in additional earnings.
Which industries pay project managers the most?
Highest-paying industries for project managers: Energy/Mining/Utilities (~$136,500), Aerospace & Defense (~$122,000), Construction & Engineering (~$121,000), Financial Services (~$121,000), and Pharmaceutical/Biotech (~$120,000).
What is the salary range for senior project managers?
Senior project managers typically earn $104,000–$132,000. Technical project managers earn $117,000–$125,000. Program managers (managing multiple projects) earn $120,000–$170,000. Directors of project management can exceed $175,000.
How can I increase my project manager salary?
Top strategies: earn PMP certification (20–33% premium), move to high-paying industries (energy, aerospace, finance), advance to senior or program management roles, develop complementary certifications (Agile, risk management), and target high-paying geographic markets or remote roles.