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Communications Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Communications Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Communications Manager in the United States is $122,375 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $141,596
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $110,253 to $132,436
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $99,217
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Communications Manager Salaries

A Communications 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.

How Experience Level Affects Communications Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Communications 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:

  • Communications Representative IV (7+ years): $117,809
  • Communications Representative V (7-10 years): $153,622
  • Communications Manager (10+ years): $122,375
  • Communications Director (10+ years): $180,856
  • VP of Communications (10+ years): $243,291
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Communications Representative IV7+ years$117,809
Communications Representative V7-10 years$153,622
Communications Manager10+ years$122,375
Communications Director10+ years$180,856
VP of Communications10+ years$243,291
View as Graph

How Do Communications 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 Communications Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $135,494.
  • California: $134,980.
  • Massachusetts: $133,181.

Top Paying Cities for Communications 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: $154,352
  • San Francisco: $152,662
  • Oakland: $149,444

What Skills Can Increase a Communications Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 7.72% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Strategic Communication (Mentioned in 3.02% Job Postings): Strategic communication refers to policy-making and guidance for consistent information activity within an organization and between organizations.
  • Executive Communications (Mentioned in 1.24% Job Postings): Exchanging of information between leadership, senior management, or an executive team, and employees in an organization.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 7.72%
Strategic Communication 3.02%
Executive Communications 1.24%
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 Communications Manager's salary.

  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Executive Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Employee Engagement: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting $133,389
9%
Executive Communications $128,494
5%
Employee Engagement $127,270
4%
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Communications Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Communications Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $136,759. While startup companies pay approximate $115,684.

Communications Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $115,684
Growth Stage 51~500 $122,348
Established 501~5000 $132,058
Enterprise 5000+ $136,759

Communications Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Communications Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 113% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 80% above the average. In contrast, Communications Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Communications Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Communications Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$220,275$106.080%
Internet$195,800$94.060%
Financial Services$171,325$82.040%
Biotechnology$159,088$76.030%
Pharmaceuticals$152,969$74.025%

How Education impacts a Communications Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Communications Manager 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 Communications Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $121,712 and $129,458.

Communications Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Communications Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 2.4%
Associates 1.9%
Bachelors 59.8%
Masters 34.5%
Doctorate 0.9%
View as Graph

Communications Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Communications 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
$110,253
Average $122,375/year
$132,436
$9,188
Average $10,198/month
$11,036
$2,120
Average $2,353/week
$2,547
$53
Average $59/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $132,436 $11,036 $2,547 $64
Average $122,375 $10,198 $2,353 $59
25th Percentile $110,253 $9,188 $2,120 $53

Communications Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Communications Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For a Communications Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Communications Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $180,856 - a projected growth of 48% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Communications Manager

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

Common company salaries for Communications Manager

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

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FAQ about Communications Manager

1. Where can a Communications Manager earn the most?

A Communications Manager'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 Communications Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Communications Manager is $154,352.

2. What is the highest pay for Communications Manager?

The highest pay for Communications Manager is $141,596.

3. What is the lowest pay for Communications Manager?

The lowest pay for Communications Manager is $99,217.

4. What are the responsibilities of Communications Manager?

Manages an organization's internal and external communications strategies and programs. Creates, implements and oversees communications programs that effectively describe and promote the organization and its products. May aid in the preparation of presentations and/or speeches geared toward employees and consumers. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Communications Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Communications Manager roles, with salaries approximately 80% 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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