As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a DEI Manager in the United States is $137,732 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.
However, a DEI Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
DEI Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $151,651 | $12,638 | $2,916 | $73 |
| Average | $137,732 | $11,478 | $2,649 | $66 |
| 25th Percentile | $123,883 | $10,324 | $2,382 | $60 |
A DEI 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a DEI 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Diversity Equity & Inclusion Specialist V | 7-10 years | $151,057 |
| Equal Employment Opportunity/Diversity Supervisor | 10+ years | $110,950 |
| DEI Manager | 10+ years | $137,742 |
| Diversity Equity & Inclusion Senior Manager | 10+ years | $172,739 |
| Director of Diversity/EEO Director | 10+ years | $211,084 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 16.36% |
| RFP | 1.32% |
| Competitive Intelligence | 0.79% |
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 DEI Manager's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Program Enhancements | $155,637 | |
| Patient Care | $150,128 | |
| Competitive Intelligence | $148,751 |
DEI Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $153,763. While startup companies pay approximate $130,199.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $130,199 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $137,669 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $148,471 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $153,763 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many DEI Managers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a DEI Manager with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $129,877 and $137,965).
| Typical Education for DEI Manager | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 6.0% |
| High School | 6.0% |
| Associates | 4.0% |
| Bachelors | 26.0% |
| Masters | 45.0% |
| Doctorate | 19.0% |
Understanding how a DEI 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $151,651 | $12,638 | $2,916 | $73 |
| Average | $137,732 | $11,478 | $2,649 | $66 |
| 25th Percentile | $123,883 | $10,324 | $2,382 | $60 |
Next Role
Advancement
For a DEI Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Diversity Equity & Inclusion Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $172,800 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.
Salaries for a DEI Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $117,256 in 2023 to around $113,746 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of DEI Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $117,256 |
| 2024 | $115,135 |
| 2025 | $113,746 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for DEI Manager roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.
To become a DEI Program Manager, you typically need a bachelor's degree in a human resources-related field. Relevant degrees include business administration with a focus on human resource management, covering topics like business management, accounting, and psychology. The salary for DEI Managers ranges from $124,252 to $158,495, with a mid-salary of $139,309.
The salary for a DEI Manager at Deloitte ranges from a minimum of $124,252 to a maximum of $158,495, with a mid-point salary of $139,309. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in diversity and inclusion roles within the company.
In California, the salary range for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager is between $124,252 and $158,495, with a mid-salary of $139,309. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this field, emphasizing the importance of DEI roles in organizations.
The highest-paid manager roles typically include positions like DEI Manager, with salaries ranging from $124,252 to $158,495. Other high-paying managerial positions may include store manager, farm manager, and marketing manager, among others. These roles often command competitive salaries due to their responsibilities and impact on organizational success.
To pursue a career in DEI, begin by earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business, Human Resources, or a related field for foundational knowledge. Gain practical experience in roles like Diversity and Inclusion Specialist. As a DEI Manager, you can expect a salary ranging from $124,252 to $158,495, with a mid-salary of $139,309, reflecting the importance of this role in organizations.
To become a DEI leader, one must demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusiveness and fairness. This involves being aware of biases and treating all team members with respect, recognizing their unique contributions. Continuous education on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices is essential. In this role, salaries typically range from $124,252 to $158,495, reflecting the importance of this leadership position.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers: