Whether you are looking to move from a technical role into leadership or are vetting out an entirely new position, project management may be an ideal path. A significant factor in determining whether this is the right move, however, lies in the expected salary you could earn. As with any role, a number of factors will impact the salary you garner including where you are working, what experience you already have, relevant education/industry certifications and more.
Below are the salary facts you need to know when it comes to estimating what you could make as a project manager.
5 States With The Highest Mean Salary For Project Managers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for project managers in the U.S. is $77,420. The states with the highest mean annual wage include:
- District of Columbia: $105,730
- Maryland: $99,170
- Virginia: $97,570
- New York: $97,340
- Massachusetts: $96,960
Median Project Manager Salary Based On Years Experience
The PMI twelfth edition of Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey, reports the following median salaries for each experience range of project managers within the United States.
- Less than 3 years: $78,279
- 3-5 years: $85,000
- 5-10 years: $100,000
- 10-15 years: $120,000
- 15-20 years: $130,000
- 20+ years: $138,000
Ready To Get Started In Project Management?
Our Project Management Fundamentals program combines a comprehensive review of major project management processes and knowledge with hands-on learning activities to ensure participants finish with practical skills which can be applied immediately on the job.Learn More
Average Salary By Project Management Certification
Nearly every industry needs project managers. As such, most project managers begin by earning a degree and then work within a technical role in their industry. As their experience grows, professionals may then move from their technical capability into a management role. To aid in this transition, some people pursue a project management certification and the experience theses credentials verify typically helps secure a higher median salary. Below are relevant project management certifications and their average salary, as estimated from Payscale.com:
- CompTIA Project+: $71,000
- PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM): $67,000
- Certified Scrum Master: $102,000
- PMI Project Management Professional (PMP): $109,000
- PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP): $111,000
Ready To Start Your Project Management Career But Need Some Direction?
Request a free consultation with our Admissions Team to determine your best path toward a Project Manager role!