Project Manager Salaries: What to Expect
Research and compare project management salaries.
About Project Manager Salaries
Smart senior managers know that "you get what you pay for." Especially with large, complex projects, good project managers are worth every penny they are paid. Successful projects reflect tangibly on the bottom line, improve customer satisfaction, and aid employee productivity and job satisfaction.
Consequently, project manager salaries tend to be lucrative, whether in the financial, IT, construction or software development industry. Project managers are highly-valued professionals who work under tremendous pressure and against unexpected obstacles and tight deadlines.
Salaries vary between an entry-level project manager and one who has reached senior project manager status, or who has attained certification to become a project management professional (PMP).
Project Management Career Outlook
Project management jobs can be cyclical, depending upon the state of the economy and the specific industry, but the biotech and technology industries currently offer the best prospects and job growth for project managers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts higher than average growth in general for the profession through 2016.
Project Manager Salary Comparison Chart
Median Salaries by Years Experience and Certification:
| Years Experience | Project Manager | Certified Project Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | $51, 821 | $55,249 |
| 1 – 4 years | $55,939 | $66,501 |
| 5 – 9 years | $70,776 | $82,070 |
| 10 – 19 years | $86,826 | $98,538 |
| 20+ years | $97,792 | $109,085 |
Median Salaries by Industry:
| Workplace Type | Project Manager | Certified Project Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | $83,103 | $89,125 |
| Construction | $70,546 | $81,368 |
| Software Development | $83,822 | $90,217 |
Sources: Payscale.com, 2010
