As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pipeline Manager in the United States is $162,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $78.
However, a Pipeline Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Pipeline 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 Pipeline 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Scheduler | 2-4 years | $87,557 |
| Gas Scheduler Sr. | 4-7 years | $110,482 |
| Pipeline Manager | 7+ years | $162,411 |
| Pipeline Strategic Director | 7+ years | $222,577 |
| Head of Pipeline Operations | 7+ years | $354,314 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Pipeline Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduling | 10.29% |
| Electrical Engineering | 1.47% |
| Microsoft Office | 1.47% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Process Development
|
$216,125 |
33%
|
|
Safety Training
|
$186,875 |
15%
|
|
Goal Setting
|
$178,750 |
10%
|
|
Material Handling
|
$177,125 |
9%
|
|
PowerPoint
|
$173,875 |
7%
|
|
Presentation
|
$172,250 |
6%
|
Pipeline Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $177,367. While startup companies pay approximate $150,698.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $150,698 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $159,220 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $171,464 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $177,367 |
For Pipeline Manager roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Energy & Utilities, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Pipeline Manager positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Pipeline Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $195,000 | $94.0 | 20% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pipeline 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 a Pipeline Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $148,142 and $159,731).
Pipeline Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 33.3% |
| High School | 66.7% |
| Associates | 0.0% |
| Bachelors | 33.3% |
| Masters | 66.7% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Pipeline 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 August 01, 2026For a Pipeline Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Pipeline Strategic Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $222,600 - a projected growth of 37% over your current level.
Salaries for a Pipeline Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $167,161 in 2023 to around $157,285 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Pipeline Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $167,161 |
| 2024 | $161,200 |
| 2025 | $157,285 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Pipeline Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
The highest paying manager position is often the Pipeline Manager, with a salary range from $138,000 to $183,100, and a mid-salary of $157,800. Other high-paying management roles include Chief Executive Officer, Sales Manager, and Financial Manager, reflecting the strong demand for skilled leaders across various industries.
Managers, such as Pipeline Managers, are typically highly paid due to their significant responsibilities. With salaries ranging from $138,000 to $183,100, they are accountable for critical outcomes and must navigate complex challenges. This level of responsibility often places them under scrutiny, justifying their higher compensation compared to other employees.
Pipeline operators typically earn revenue by acting as common carriers, providing transportation services to customers for a fee. They do not own the products they transport. The salary for a Pipeline Manager in this field ranges from $138,000 to $183,100, with a mid-salary of $157,800, reflecting the expertise and responsibilities involved in managing these operations.
In the USA, a Pipeline Manager typically earns an annual salary ranging from $138,000 to $183,100, with a median salary of $157,800. This reflects a competitive compensation structure for this role, significantly higher than the average manager salary across various sectors.
Most Pipeline Managers earn between $138,000 and $183,100 annually, with a median salary of $157,800. This is significantly higher than the average salaries reported for managers in major cities like Chicago ($116,046) and Los Angeles ($102,818), indicating that Pipeline Managers are among the higher earners in the management field.
A Pipeline Manager plans and develops enhancements for pipelines, troubleshooting issues while ensuring compliance with regulations, industry standards, production targets, and quality benchmarks. They also determine expenses related to pipeline system usage. The salary for this role ranges from $138,000 to $183,100, with a midpoint of $157,800.
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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