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Project Manager I Salary in the United States

How much does a Project Manager I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Manager I in the United States is $75,795 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,483
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,072 to $82,960
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,951
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Project Manager I Salaries

A Project Manager I'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 Project Manager I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Manager I'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:

  • Project Manager I (0-2 years): $75,795
  • Project Manager II (2-4 years): $94,737
  • Project Manager III (4-7 years): $115,937
  • Project Manager IV (7+ years): $130,587
  • Project Manager V (7-10 years): $154,004
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Project Manager I0-2 years$75,795
Project Manager II2-4 years$94,737
Project Manager III4-7 years$115,937
Project Manager IV7+ years$130,587
Project Manager V7-10 years$154,004
View as Graph

How Do Project Manager Is 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 Project Manager Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $83,920.
  • California: $83,602.
  • Massachusetts: $82,488.

Top Paying Cities for Project Manager I

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: $95,600
  • San Francisco: $94,554
  • Oakland: $92,561

What Skills Can Increase a Project Manager I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 21.15% 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.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.25% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 1.01% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 21.15%
PowerPoint 1.25%
Scrum 1.01%
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 Project Manager I's salary.

  • Scrum: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Scrum $81,859
8%
Program Management $81,859
8%
Agile $81,101
7%
Get Latest Data

Project Manager I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Project Manager I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $84,704. While startup companies pay approximate $71,651.

Project Manager I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $71,651
Growth Stage 51~500 $75,778
Established 501~5000 $81,793
Enterprise 5000+ $84,704

Project Manager I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Manager I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Project Manager positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Manager I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Project Manager I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$113,692$55.050%

How Education impacts an Project Manager I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Project Manager I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Project Manager I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $71,688 and $76,407.

Project Manager I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Project Manager I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 8.7%
Associates 6.7%
Bachelors 54.1%
Masters 28.5%
Doctorate 1.7%
View as Graph

Project Manager I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Project Manager I'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
$69,072
Average $75,795/year
$82,960
$5,756
Average $6,316/month
$6,913
$1,328
Average $1,458/week
$1,595
$33
Average $36/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,960 $6,913 $1,595 $40
Average $75,795 $6,316 $1,458 $36
25th Percentile $69,072 $5,756 $1,328 $33

Project Manager I Salary Growth & Career Path

Project Manager I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Project Manager I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
EHR Project Manager $105,825 40%
Manufacturing Project Manager II $87,732 16%
Engineering Program Manager III $111,329 47%
Project Manager II $94,737 25%

Most common benefits for Project Manager I

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

Common company salaries for Project Manager I

Here are companies hiring for Project Manager I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Project Manager I

1. Where can a Project Manager I earn the most?

A Project Manager I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Project Manager I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Project Manager I is $95,600.

2. What is the highest pay for Project Manager I?

The highest pay for Project Manager I is $89,483.

3. What is the lowest pay for Project Manager I?

The lowest pay for Project Manager I is $62,951.

4. What are the responsibilities of Project Manager I?

Manages internal projects by organizing teams, coordinating resources, and communicating plans and tasks to ensure project objectives are completed within established scope, timeline, and budget requirements. Develops detailed project plans, schedules, milestones, and resource allocations to support operational and strategic initiatives. Liaises between project members, cross-functional teams, external vendors, and other stakeholders to assign responsibilities, ensure timely execution of project deliverables, and resolve issues or questions. Monitors project progress, evaluates risks, and implements corrective actions to maintain alignment with organizational goals and stakeholder expectations. Communicates project status, priorities, and performance metrics to leadership and project stakeholders. Allocates resources, budgets, and hours to the project and adjusts allocations when necessary. Requires a bachelor's degree. May require Project Management Certification. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Project Manager I?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Manager I roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

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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