upper level job

Manager of Product Development Salary in the United States

How much does a Manager of Product Development make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manager of Product Development in the United States is $145,930 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $70.

However, a Manager of Product Development's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $167,728
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,660 to $157,340
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $120,578

Key Factors That Influence Manager of Product Development Salaries

A Manager of Product Development'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 Manager of Product Development Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Manager of Product Development'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:

  • Product Development Specialist IV (7+ years): $133,272
  • Product Development Specialist V (7-10 years): $160,698
  • Manager of Product Development (10+ years): $145,930
  • Senior Manager of Product Development (10+ years): $180,876
  • Director of Technical Product Development (10+ years): $221,195
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Product Development Specialist IV7+ years$133,272
Product Development Specialist V7-10 years$160,698
Manager of Product Development10+ years$145,930
Senior Manager of Product Development10+ years$180,876
Director of Technical Product Development10+ years$221,195

Top Paying Cities for Manager of Product Developments

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: $184,070
  • San Francisco: $182,050
  • Oakland: $178,210

What Skills Can Increase a Manager of Product Development's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 5.16% 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.
  • Supply Chain (Mentioned in 1.69% Job Postings): A supply chain encompasses everything from the delivery of source materials from the supplier to the manufacturer through to its eventual delivery to the end user.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 5.16%
Supply Chain 1.69%
Product Quality 1.03%

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 Manager of Product Development's salary.

  • Prioritization: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Design Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Prioritization $154,686
6%
Alignment $153,227
5%
Design Engineering $153,227
5%

Manager of Product Development Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Manager of Product Development salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $162,916. While startup companies pay approximate $137,948.

Manager of Product Development Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $137,948
Growth Stage 51~500 $145,863
Established 501~5000 $157,308
Enterprise 5000+ $162,916

Manager of Product Development Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Manager of Product Development roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Manager of Product Development positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Manager of Product Development as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Manager of Product Development

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$167,820$81.015%
MFG Nondurable$163,442$79.012%
Aerospace & Defense$160,523$77.010%
Insurance$157,604$76.08%
Retail & Wholesale$154,686$74.06%

How Education impacts a Manager of Product Development's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Manager of Product Developments enter the field with a Associate'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 a Manager of Product Development with a Associate's Degree is between $131,101 and $141,633).

Manager of Product Development Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Manager of Product Development
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 3.7%
Associates 3.7%
Bachelors 49.3%
Masters 35.7%
Doctorate 6.6%

Manager of Product Development Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Manager of Product Development'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 October 01, 2026
$132,660
Average $145,930/year
$157,340
$11,055
Average $12,161/month
$13,112
$2,551
Average $2,806/week
$3,026
$64
Average $70/hour
$76
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $157,340 $13,112 $3,026 $76
Average $145,930 $12,161 $2,806 $70
25th Percentile $132,660 $11,055 $2,551 $64

Manager of Product Development Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Manager of Product Development, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Senior Manager of Product Development role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $180,880 - a projected growth of 24% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Manager of Product Development

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

Common company salaries for Manager of Product Development

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

Find Your Next Manager of Product Development Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Manager of Product Development job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Manager of Product Development

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Manager of Product Development?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Manager of Product Development roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

2. Can product managers make 200k?

While some senior roles in product management, like Chief Product Officer, can exceed $200,000, the salary data for a Manager of Product Development shows a range from $123,450 to $163,220. Therefore, reaching a $200,000 salary is more common in higher-level positions rather than in the Manager of Product Development role.

3. Is Product Manager a high paying job?

Yes, a Product Manager is a high-paying job. The salary for a Manager of Product Development ranges from a minimum of $123,450 to a maximum of $163,220, with a mid-salary of $141,880. This competitive pay reflects the role's importance and the skills required, making it an attractive career choice.

4. What type of manager pays the most?

The highest-paying managerial role in product development offers a salary range with a minimum of $123,450, a mid-level salary of $141,880, and a maximum of $163,220. This positions it competitively among other managerial roles, such as Administrative Service Manager (average $150K) and Project Manager (average $142K).

5. How much does a director of product development make in the US?

The estimated total pay for a Manager of Product Development in the US ranges from $123,450 to $163,220 per year, with a mid-salary of $141,880. These figures reflect the salary range based on industry data and represent the midpoint of the salary spectrum for this role.

6. What is a product manager's salary in the US?

The salary for a Manager of Product Development in the US typically ranges from $123,450 to $163,220, with a mid-level salary of approximately $141,880. This reflects the competitive nature of the role, aligning with industry standards for product management positions.

7. What does a director of product development do?

A director of product development is a managerial professional responsible for researching new products, design concepts, and enhancements. They work with team members to assess the feasibility of production ideas, ultimately transforming them into reliable, marketable products. The salary for this role typically ranges from $123,450 to $163,220, with a midpoint of $141,880.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job