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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Public Policy Manager in Virginia is $151,610 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.
However, a Public Policy Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Public Policy Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $164,580 | $13,715 | $3,165 | $79 |
| Average | $151,610 | $12,634 | $2,916 | $73 |
| 25th Percentile | $134,460 | $11,205 | $2,586 | $65 |
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics - Reston, VA
Confidential - Falls Church, VA
Confidential - Tysons, VA
Inflow-ns - Fort Belvoir, VA
A Public Policy 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Public Policy 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Government Liaison III | 7+ years | $149,582 |
| Government Liaison IV | 7-10 years | $179,490 |
| Public Policy Manager | 10+ years | $151,606 |
| Government Relations Senior Manager | 10+ years | $196,820 |
| Government Relations Director | 10+ years | $215,074 |
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 Public Policy Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Public Policy Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $169,719. While startup companies pay approximate $143,578.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $143,578 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $151,851 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $163,893 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $169,719 |
For Public Policy Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 95% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Public Policy Manager positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Public Policy Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $227,415 | $109.0 | 50% |
| Software & Networking | $219,834 | $106.0 | 45% |
| MFG Durable | $212,254 | $102.0 | 40% |
| Internet | $197,093 | $95.0 | 30% |
| Hospitality & Leisure | $189,512 | $91.0 | 25% |
Understanding how a Public Policy 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 | $164,580 | $13,715 | $3,165 | $79 |
| Average | $151,610 | $12,634 | $2,916 | $73 |
| 25th Percentile | $134,460 | $11,205 | $2,586 | $65 |
For a Public Policy Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Government Relations Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $196,900 - a projected growth of 30% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Public Policy Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
North Point Technology
Fort Belvoir, VA
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Chesapeake, VA
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Muller, Inc.
Reston, VA
Muller, Inc. | Reston, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Title. Project Manager, Public Opportunities. Type. Full Time, Exempt. Location. Reston, Virginia (Hybrid). Reports to. D... more
4 Days Ago
MicroStrategy Services Corp.
Tysons Corner, VA
MicroStrategy Services Corp. | Tysons Corner, VA
Job Description. Job Description:\n\nCompany Description Strategy (Nasdaq: MSTR) is at the forefront of transforming organizations into intelligent enterpr... more
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Government Business Results
Reston, VA
Government Business Results | Reston, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. This position is work-from-home flex. We prefer applicants who live in DC, MD or VA - but first and foremost... more
5 Days Ago
Confidential
Tysons Corner, VA
Confidential | Tysons Corner, VA
Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy. About the Company. Leading provider of enterprise software for business intelligence. Industry. Compute... more
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