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Continuous Improvement Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Continuous Improvement Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Continuous Improvement Manager in the United States is $137,880 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

However, a Continuous Improvement Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $159,334
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $123,360 to $149,110
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $110,140
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Continuous Improvement Manager Salaries

A Continuous Improvement 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 Continuous Improvement Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Continuous Improvement 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:

  • Continuous Improvement Specialist V (7-10 years): $143,111
  • Continuous Improvement Supervisor (10+ years): $91,194
  • Continuous Improvement Manager (10+ years): $137,873
  • Continuous Improvement Senior Manager (10+ years): $150,519
  • Continuous Improvement Director (10+ years): $163,978
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Continuous Improvement Specialist V7-10 years$143,111
Continuous Improvement Supervisor10+ years$91,194
Continuous Improvement Manager10+ years$137,873
Continuous Improvement Senior Manager10+ years$150,519
Continuous Improvement Director10+ years$163,978
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How Do Continuous Improvement 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 Continuous Improvement Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $152,660.
  • California: $152,080.
  • Massachusetts: $150,050.

Top Paying Cities for Continuous Improvement 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: $173,900
  • San Francisco: $172,000
  • Oakland: $168,380

What Skills Can Increase a Continuous Improvement Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.19% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Lean Six Sigma (Mentioned in 2.16% Job Postings): Applying the methods of Lean Six Sigma in reducing variation, waste, and cycle time to achieve customer satisfaction and bottom-line results.
  • Change Management (Mentioned in 0.93% Job Postings): Change management (sometimes abbreviated as CM) is a collective term for all approaches to prepare , support and help individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational change. The most common change drivers include: technological evolution, process reviews, crisis, and consumer habit changes; pressure from new business entrants, acquisitions, mergers, and organizational restructuring. It includes methods that redirect or redefine the use of resources, business process, budget allocations, or other modes of operation that significantly change a company or organization. Organizational change management (OCM) considers the full organization and what needs to change, while change management may be used solely to refer to how people and teams are affected by such organizational transition. It deals with many different disciplines, from behavioral and social sciences to information technology and business solutions.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.19%
Lean Six Sigma 2.16%
Change Management 0.93%
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 Continuous Improvement Manager's salary.

  • Customer Focus: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Industrial Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Focus $143,395
4%
Alignment $142,016
3%
Industrial Engineering $142,016
3%
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Continuous Improvement Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Continuous Improvement Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $154,087. While startup companies pay approximate $130,342.

Continuous Improvement Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $130,342
Growth Stage 51~500 $137,849
Established 501~5000 $148,790
Enterprise 5000+ $154,087

Continuous Improvement Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Continuous Improvement Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 67% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 38% above the average. In contrast, Continuous Improvement Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Continuous Improvement Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Continuous Improvement Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$189,953$91.038%
Financial Services$183,403$88.033%
Biotechnology$176,853$85.028%
Internet$170,303$82.024%
Pharmaceuticals$163,753$79.019%

Continuous Improvement Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Continuous Improvement 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
$123,360
Average $137,880/year
$149,110
$10,280
Average $11,490/month
$12,426
$2,372
Average $2,652/week
$2,868
$59
Average $66/hour
$72
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $149,110 $12,426 $2,868 $72
Average $137,880 $11,490 $2,652 $66
25th Percentile $123,360 $10,280 $2,372 $59

Continuous Improvement Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Continuous Improvement Manager

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Advancement

For a Continuous Improvement Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Continuous Improvement Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $150,600 - a projected growth of 9% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Continuous Improvement Manager

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

Common company salaries for Continuous Improvement Manager

Here are companies hiring for Continuous Improvement Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Continuous Improvement Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Continuous Improvement Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Continuous Improvement Manager roles, with salaries approximately 38% above the market median.

2. How much do continuous improvement managers make in the US?

As of now, Continuous Improvement Managers in the United States earn between $123,010 and $161,430 annually, with a median salary of $141,280. This translates to an hourly wage ranging from approximately $59.00 to $77.60, depending on experience and location.

3. How much do Perdue Farms continuous improvement managers make?

The salary range for a Continuous Improvement Manager at Perdue Farms is approximately $123,010 to $161,430 per year. The midpoint salary is around $141,280, reflecting the base salary and potential additional compensation.

4. What does a CI leader do?

A Continuous Improvement (CI) leader plays a crucial role in identifying issues, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies within processes. They collaborate with their teams to enhance workflow, improve process performance, and set standards for consistent results. The salary for a CI Manager typically ranges from $123,010 to $161,430, with a midpoint of $141,280.

5. What is another name for a continuous improvement manager?

Another name for a Continuous Improvement Manager is a Director of Continuous Improvement or a Continuous Improvement Engineer. The salary for this role typically ranges from $123,010 to $161,430, with a midpoint of $141,280, reflecting the importance of driving efficiency and quality within organizations.

6. What is the highest salary of a manager?

The highest salary for a Continuous Improvement Manager is $161,430 per year. The salary range for this position typically spans from a minimum of $123,010 to a midpoint of $141,280, reflecting the varying levels of experience and responsibility within the role.

7. What is the highest paying job?

The highest paying job can vary, but a Continuous Improvement Manager offers a competitive salary range. The minimum salary is $123,010, the mid-range salary is $141,280, and the maximum salary can reach $161,430. This role focuses on enhancing processes and efficiency within organizations, making it a valuable position in many industries.

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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