Project Manager Salary
BLS reports this occupation as "Project Management Specialists" (13-1082); every figure on this page is for that BLS occupation.
Project managers plan, execute, and close projects within scope, time, and budget constraints. They coordinate teams, manage risks, and communicate progress to stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Project Manager
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $135,040 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $130,380 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $127,030 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $126,660 |
| 5 | San Diego, CA | $117,460 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $116,740 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $114,990 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $108,340 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $108,310 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $105,350 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $117,319 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $116,803 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | 108.9 | $116,665 |
| 4 | New York, NY | 112.6 | $112,524 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | 105.8 | $110,359 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $108,066 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | 108.3 | $106,211 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | 100.3 | $105,037 |
| 9 | San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $104,981 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh, PA | 94.7 | $104,911 |
Project Manager Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $102,510 | $135,040 | $167,410 | $206,240 | 20,770 |
| Seattle, WA | $97,410 | $130,380 | $168,460 | $209,220 | 26,910 |
| Washington, DC | $95,150 | $127,030 | $163,550 | $192,450 | 38,230 |
| New York, NY | $96,370 | $126,660 | $164,800 | $206,180 | 68,910 |
| San Diego, CA | $86,370 | $117,460 | $139,940 | $171,400 | 10,740 |
| Denver, CO | $89,060 | $116,740 | $137,710 | $172,060 | 20,710 |
| Boston, MA | $89,810 | $114,990 | $147,620 | $174,740 | 18,840 |
| Portland, OR | $83,740 | $108,340 | $140,990 | $177,090 | 14,440 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,060 | $108,310 | $144,440 | $185,220 | 38,540 |
| Detroit, MI | $81,710 | $105,350 | $132,910 | $161,350 | 13,230 |
| Chicago, IL | $82,770 | $105,320 | $133,980 | $165,780 | 21,040 |
| Charlotte, NC | $80,580 | $105,200 | $133,030 | $165,540 | 11,570 |
| Atlanta, GA | $79,200 | $103,400 | $133,880 | $165,110 | 21,060 |
| Austin, TX | $80,060 | $102,390 | $134,580 | $169,050 | 17,470 |
| Raleigh, NC | $79,030 | $102,280 | $134,700 | $166,970 | 7,930 |
| Richmond, VA | $78,060 | $102,170 | $132,790 | $163,150 | 6,380 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $77,690 | $100,780 | $131,180 | $165,210 | 17,790 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $77,800 | $99,710 | $128,170 | $155,080 | 5,380 |
| Houston, TX | $75,840 | $99,510 | $131,640 | $168,070 | 35,550 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $77,570 | $99,320 | $124,780 | $154,740 | 7,280 |
| Dallas, TX | $76,740 | $98,900 | $131,250 | $162,410 | 43,120 |
| Miami, FL | $76,400 | $98,720 | $128,980 | $162,370 | 19,340 |
| Columbus, OH | $76,720 | $98,660 | $128,800 | $164,190 | 7,680 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $77,620 | $98,000 | $128,110 | $160,680 | 8,990 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $79,050 | $97,860 | $125,510 | $146,410 | 15,450 |
| Nashville, TN | $71,020 | $85,990 | $110,390 | $136,470 | 7,950 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $70,730 | $85,400 | $119,230 | $153,970 | 5,690 |
| Memphis, TN | $67,290 | $85,130 | $108,580 | $133,960 | 2,960 |
| Louisville, KY | $65,210 | $82,660 | $104,160 | $129,630 | 3,630 |
| El Paso, TX | $61,400 | $79,920 | $102,040 | $126,410 | 2,060 |
5About the Project Manager Role
Project managers plan, execute, and close projects within scope, time, and budget constraints. They coordinate teams, manage risks, and communicate progress to stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
Compensation for Project Managers varies by metro — from $79,920 at the low end in El Paso, TX to $135,040 in San Francisco, CA. The $55,120 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see project manager salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Project Manager salary in the US?
The national median Project Manager salary is $102,320 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $78,440 and the 90th percentile reaches $167,970.
Which city pays Project Managers the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, San Francisco, CA has the highest median wage for Project Managers at $135,040 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Seattle, WA ($130,380) and Washington, DC ($127,030) are next.