Salary AI Book a Demo

Software Release Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Release Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Release Manager in the United States is $148,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $163,191
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,290 to $156,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $117,723
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Release Manager Salaries

A Software Release 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.

How Experience Level Affects Software Release Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Release 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:

  • Build and Release Engineer Intermediate (2-4 years): $99,331
  • Build and Release Engineer Senior (4-7 years): $122,999
  • Build and Release Engineer Specialist (7+ years): $139,216
  • Build and Release Engineer Expert (7-10 years): $171,955
  • Software Release Manager (10+ years): $148,253
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Build and Release Engineer Intermediate2-4 years$99,331
Build and Release Engineer Senior4-7 years$122,999
Build and Release Engineer Specialist7+ years$139,216
Build and Release Engineer Expert7-10 years$171,955
Software Release Manager10+ years$148,253
View as Graph

How Do Software Release Manager 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 Software Release Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $164,190.
  • California: $163,590.
  • Massachusetts: $161,390.

Top Paying Cities for Software Release Managers

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: $186,990
  • San Francisco: $184,990
  • Oakland: $181,090

What Skills Can Increase a Software Release Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 6.36% 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.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 2.77% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
  • Continuous Integration (Mentioned in 1.78% Job Postings): Continuous integration (CI) is the practice of automating the integration of code changes from multiple contributors into a single software project.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 6.36%
Scrum 2.77%
Continuous Integration 1.78%
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 Software Release Manager's salary.

  • iOS: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Customer Service: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
iOS $157,187
6%
Partnering $155,705
5%
Customer Service $152,739
3%
Get Latest Data

Software Release Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Release Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $165,720. While startup companies pay approximate $140,182.

Software Release Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $140,182
Growth Stage 51~500 $148,257
Established 501~5000 $160,024
Enterprise 5000+ $165,720

Software Release Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Release Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Software Release Manager positions in Telecom or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Release Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Release Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$192,777$93.030%
Internet$185,362$89.025%
Financial Services$177,948$86.020%
Hospitality & Leisure$170,534$82.015%
Pharmaceuticals$166,085$80.012%

Software Release Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Release 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 September 01, 2026
$132,290
Average $148,290/year
$156,090
$11,024
Average $12,358/month
$13,008
$2,544
Average $2,852/week
$3,002
$64
Average $71/hour
$75
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $156,090 $13,008 $3,002 $75
Average $148,290 $12,358 $2,852 $71
25th Percentile $132,290 $11,024 $2,544 $64

Most common benefits for Software Release Manager

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

Common company salaries for Software Release Manager

Here are companies hiring for Software Release Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Software Release Manager Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Release Manager 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 Software Release Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Release Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Release Manager roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Is release management part of QA?

Release management and quality assurance (QA) are closely linked in software development. They often collaborate and may even be handled by the same team or individual. The role of a Software Release Manager typically commands a salary range from $134,790 to $164,990, with a mid-salary of $151,490, reflecting the importance of this position in ensuring quality and timely software releases.

3. What is the difference between a scrum master and a Release Manager?

The difference between a Scrum Master and a Release Manager lies in their roles. The Scrum Master emphasizes the agile process and team performance, ensuring effective collaboration. In contrast, the Release Manager oversees the planning and execution of software releases. The salary for a Software Release Manager ranges from $134,790 to $164,990, with a midpoint of $151,490.

4. Is product manager a stressful job?

The day-to-day responsibilities of a Software Release Manager can be taxing, stressful, and all-consuming. With a salary range from $134,790 to $164,990, the role demands strong organizational and communication skills to manage releases effectively while balancing the pressures of deadlines and team coordination.

5. What is the highest paying manager position?

The highest paying manager position is often the Software Release Manager, with a salary range from $134,790 to $164,990, and a mid-salary of $151,490. Other high-paying management roles include Chief Executive Officer, Sales Manager, and Financial Manager, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in various industries.

6. How much do software product managers make in the US?

Software Release Managers in the US earn between $134,790 and $164,990 annually, with a median salary of $151,490. This positions them competitively within the tech industry, reflecting their critical role in managing software releases and ensuring product quality.

7. What does a software Release Manager do?

A software Release Manager is an IT professional responsible for defining and overseeing the release management process within a company. They ensure that releases are well-planned and delivered on schedule, resulting in solutions that function as intended. The salary for this role typically ranges from $134,790 to $164,990, with a midpoint of $151,490.

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