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Build and Release Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Build and Release Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Build and Release Manager in the United States is $148,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

However, a Build and Release Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $163,201
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,300 to $156,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $117,733
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Build and Release Manager Salaries

A Build and Release 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Build and Release Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Build and Release 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:

  • Build and Release Engineer Intermediate (2-4 years): $99,331
  • Build and Release Engineer Senior (4-7 years): $122,999
  • Build and Release Engineer Specialist (7+ years): $139,216
  • Build and Release Engineer Expert (7-10 years): $171,955
  • Build and Release Manager (10+ years): $148,253
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Build and Release Engineer Intermediate2-4 years$99,331
Build and Release Engineer Senior4-7 years$122,999
Build and Release Engineer Specialist7+ years$139,216
Build and Release Engineer Expert7-10 years$171,955
Build and Release Manager10+ years$148,253
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How Do Build and Release Manager Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Build and Release Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $164,200.
  • California: $163,600.
  • Massachusetts: $161,400.

Top Paying Cities for Build and Release 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: $187,000
  • San Francisco: $185,000
  • Oakland: $181,100

What Skills Can Increase a Build and Release Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 6.36% 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.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 2.77% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
  • Continuous Integration (Mentioned in 1.78% Job Postings): Continuous integration (CI) is the practice of automating the integration of code changes from multiple contributors into a single software project.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 6.36%
Scrum 2.77%
Continuous Integration 1.78%
See More Skills

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 a Build and Release Manager's salary.

  • iOS: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Customer Service: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
iOS $157,198
6%
Partnering $155,715
5%
Customer Service $152,749
3%
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Build and Release Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Build and Release Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $165,731. While startup companies pay approximate $140,192.

Build and Release Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $140,192
Growth Stage 51~500 $148,267
Established 501~5000 $160,035
Enterprise 5000+ $165,731

Build and Release Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Build and Release Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Build and Release Manager positions in Telecom or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Build and Release Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Build and Release Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$192,790$93.030%
Internet$185,375$89.025%
Financial Services$177,960$86.020%
Hospitality & Leisure$170,545$82.015%
Pharmaceuticals$166,096$80.012%

Build and Release Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Build and Release 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
$132,300
Average $148,300/year
$156,100
$11,025
Average $12,358/month
$13,008
$2,544
Average $2,852/week
$3,002
$64
Average $71/hour
$75
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $156,100 $13,008 $3,002 $75
Average $148,300 $12,358 $2,852 $71
25th Percentile $132,300 $11,025 $2,544 $64

Most common benefits for Build and Release Manager

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

Common company salaries for Build and Release Manager

Here are companies hiring for Build and Release Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Build and Release Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Build and Release Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Build and Release Manager roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the highest salary of CDM?

The highest salary for a Build and Release Manager is $165,000 per year. The salary range for this position typically starts at a minimum of $134,800, with a mid-level salary of $151,500.

3. How much does a Release Manager earn in Texas?

A Release Manager in Texas typically earns between $134,800 and $165,000 annually, with a mid-salary of around $151,500. This translates to an hourly rate of approximately $64.00 to $79.40, depending on experience and specific location within the state.

4. What is the highest salary of BDM?

The salary for a Build and Release Manager ranges from $134,800 to $165,000 annually, with a midpoint of $151,500. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role, highlighting the importance of expertise in managing software builds and releases effectively.

5. What is the salary of change Release Manager?

The salary for a Build and Release Manager typically ranges from $134,800 to $165,000, with a mid-point salary of $151,500. This reflects the competitive nature of the role, aligning with industry standards for similar positions.

6. Is BDM higher than sales manager?

Business Development Managers (BDMs) typically earn between $134,800 and $165,000, with a median salary of $151,500. In contrast, Sales Managers generally have a lower salary range. While both roles are crucial, BDMs often command higher salaries due to their focus on growth and strategic partnerships, making them generally higher paid than Sales Managers.

7. What is the highest paying job in business management?

One of the highest paying jobs in business management is the Build and Release Manager. This role typically offers a salary range from $134,800 to $165,000, with a median salary of around $151,500. Professionals in this position are crucial for overseeing software development processes and ensuring smooth releases.

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.)

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