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Application Design and Development Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Application Design and Development Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Application Design and Development Manager in the United States is $151,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.

However, an Application Design and Development Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $172,433
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $142,100 to $162,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $133,269

Key Factors That Influence Application Design and Development Manager Salaries

An Application Design and Development Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Application Design and Development Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Application Design and Development Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Application Programmer Analyst V (7-10 years): $166,918
  • Applications Programming Project Supervisor (10+ years): $134,113
  • Application Design and Development Manager (10+ years): $151,800
  • Application Design and Development Senior Manager (10+ years): $176,818
  • Application Design and Development Director (10+ years): $196,998
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Application Programmer Analyst V7-10 years$166,918
Applications Programming Project Supervisor10+ years$134,113
Application Design and Development Manager10+ years$151,800
Application Design and Development Senior Manager10+ years$176,818
Application Design and Development Director10+ years$196,998

Top Paying Cities for Application Design and Development Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $191,470
  • San Francisco: $189,370
  • Oakland: $185,380

What Skills Can Increase an Application Design and Development Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 10.71% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Application Support (Mentioned in 2.19% Job Postings): Applications support is a service that ensures the operational processes in a business run smoothly and enables users to conduct their business.
  • Azure (Mentioned in 1.22% Job Postings): Microsoft Azure, often referred to as Azure, is a cloud computing service operated by Microsoft for application management via Microsoft-managed data centers.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 10.71%
Application Support 2.19%
Azure 1.22%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Application Design and Development Manager's salary.

  • People Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Business Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
People Management $160,908
6%
Partnering $157,872
4%
Business Analysis $157,872
4%

Application Design and Development Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Application Design and Development Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $169,643. While startup companies pay approximate $143,501.

Application Design and Development Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $143,501
Growth Stage 51~500 $151,766
Established 501~5000 $163,812
Enterprise 5000+ $169,643

Application Design and Development Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Application Design and Development Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 38% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Application Design and Development Manager positions in Internet or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Application Design and Development Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Application Design and Development Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$179,124$86.018%
Energy & Utilities$174,570$84.015%
Financial Services$174,570$84.015%
Construction$170,016$82.012%
Insurance$166,980$80.010%

How Education impacts an Application Design and Development Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Application Design and Development Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Application Design and Development Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $148,847 and $157,197).

Application Design and Development Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Application Design and Development Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.1%
High School 5.1%
Associates 8.2%
Bachelors 58.2%
Masters 24.5%
Doctorate 1.0%

Application Design and Development Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Application Design and Development Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$142,100
Average $151,800/year
$162,600
$11,842
Average $12,650/month
$13,550
$2,733
Average $2,919/week
$3,127
$68
Average $73/hour
$78
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $162,600 $13,550 $3,127 $78
Average $151,800 $12,650 $2,919 $73
25th Percentile $142,100 $11,842 $2,733 $68

Application Design and Development Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Application Design and Development Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Application Design and Development Manager Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Application Design and Development Senior Manager $176,900 17%
Software Research and Design Architect Senior Manager $176,900 17%
Backend Applications Developer Senior Manager $183,300 21%

Most common benefits for Application Design and Development Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Application Design and Development Manager

Here are companies hiring for Application Design and Development Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Application Design and Development Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Application Design and Development Manager?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Application Design and Development Manager roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

2. How much does an application manager earn in the US?

The estimated total pay for an Application Design and Development Manager in the US ranges from $142,250 to $173,290 per year, with a mid-salary of $157,250. These figures reflect the salary range based on industry data and provide a comprehensive view of potential earnings in this role.

3. What is the highest paid design job?

One of the highest paid design jobs is the Application Design and Development Manager, with a salary range from $142,250 to $173,290. The mid-salary for this role is $157,250, making it a lucrative position in the design field. Other high-paying design roles include User Experience (UX) Designer and Creative Director.

4. What is the job title CDM?

The job title CDM refers to a Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional. This role requires the education and experience to effectively manage dietary operations, demonstrated by passing the nationally-recognized CDM, CFPP Credentialing Exam. In the field of Application Design and Development Management, salaries range from $142,250 to $173,290, with a midpoint of $157,250.

5. What is the highest salary for a software development manager?

The salary for an Application Design and Development Manager ranges from $142,250 to $173,290 annually, with a midpoint of $157,250. These figures reflect the compensation for professionals in this role, highlighting the competitive nature of the industry.

6. What is the highest salary for a software development manager?

The salary for an Application Design and Development Manager ranges from $142,250 to $173,290 per year, with a midpoint of $157,250. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role in the software development field.

7. Is AEM a good career?

Yes, a career as an AEM developer is promising due to the increasing demand for skilled professionals in this field. With a salary range from $142,250 to $173,290, it offers both financial rewards and job satisfaction. This makes it a fantastic and fulfilling career choice for those interested in application design and development.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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