Project management is one of the most transferable careers in business — and salaries reflect it. From construction to software to healthcare, here is what PMs earn across industries in 2026.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for project management specialists, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| 25th | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| 50th (median) | $102,320 | $49.19 |
| 75th | $133,100 | $63.99 |
| 90th | $167,970 | $80.75 |
| Average (mean) | $110,740 | $53.24 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Project Management Specialists (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Project Manager Salary Overview
By Experience Level
| Experience | Salary Range | Typical Title |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (0-3 years) | $60,000-$80,000 | Associate PM, junior PM |
| Mid (3-7 years) | $85,000-$115,000 | Project manager |
| Senior (7-12 years) | $115,000-$150,000 | Senior PM, program manager |
| Director (12+ years) | $150,000-$220,000+ | Director / VP of PMO |
PMP-Certified vs. Non-Certified
| Level | Without PMP | With PMP | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level | $88,000 | $108,000 | +23% |
| Senior | $112,000 | $138,000 | +23% |
| Director | $148,000 | $178,000 | +20% |
Salary by Industry
| Industry | Average PM Salary |
|---|---|
| Technology / software | $130,000-$160,000 |
| IT consulting | $115,000-$145,000 |
| Financial services | $110,000-$145,000 |
| Aerospace / defense | $110,000-$140,000 |
| Construction | $95,000-$130,000 |
| Healthcare | $90,000-$120,000 |
| Government | $85,000-$110,000 |
| Manufacturing | $90,000-$120,000 |
| Nonprofit | $65,000-$90,000 |
Salary by City
| City | Average PM Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $155,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $148,000 |
| New York, NY | $138,000 |
| Boston, MA | $128,000 |
| Washington, DC | $125,000 |
| Austin, TX | $115,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $112,000 |
| Denver, CO | $110,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | $105,000 |
| National average | $110,740 |
PM Certifications and Their Value
| Certification | Provider | Cost | Salary Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMP | PMI | $405-$555 | +20-25% |
| CAPM | PMI | $225-$300 | +5-10% (entry) |
| PMI-ACP (Agile) | PMI | $435-$495 | +10-18% |
| PRINCE2 | Axelos | $500-$800 | Popular in UK/gov |
| CSM (Scrum Master) | Scrum Alliance | $400-$1,200 | +8-15% |
| SAFe Agile | Scaled Agile | $995 | +10-20% in large IT |
Career Path
| Years | Title | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 | Associate PM / coordinator | $55,000-$75,000 |
| 3-6 | Project manager | $85,000-$110,000 |
| 6-10 | Senior PM | $110,000-$145,000 |
| 10-14 | Program manager | $130,000-$170,000 |
| 14-18 | Director of PMO | $160,000-$220,000 |
| 18+ | VP / portfolio director | $200,000-$350,000+ |
IT vs. Construction PM comparison
| Factor | IT Project Manager | Construction PM |
|---|---|---|
| Average salary | $130,000 | $105,000 |
| Common certifications | PMP, PMI-ACP, CSM | PMP, PE, LEED |
| Degree typically required | CS, IT, or business | Civil engineering, construction mgmt |
| Remote work options | High | Low |
Job Outlook
The BLS projects 6.7% growth in PM roles through 2035. PMI forecasts a 25 million new PM job openings globally by 2030, driven by technology transformation, infrastructure investment, and healthcare expansion.
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