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Internal Communications Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Internal Communications Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Internal Communications Manager in the United States is $118,049 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $143,584
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,458 to $131,415
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,815
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Internal Communications Manager Salaries

An Internal 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 Internal Communications Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Internal 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:

  • Internal Communications Specialist V (7-10 years): $146,904
  • Internal Communications Supervisor (10+ years): $105,443
  • Internal Communications Manager (10+ years): $118,049
  • Internal Communications Senior Manager (10+ years): $165,770
  • Internal Communications Director (10+ years): $207,060
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Internal Communications Specialist V7-10 years$146,904
Internal Communications Supervisor10+ years$105,443
Internal Communications Manager10+ years$118,049
Internal Communications Senior Manager10+ years$165,770
Internal Communications Director10+ years$207,060
View as Graph

How Do Internal Communications Managers 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 Internal Communications Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $130,704.
  • California: $130,208.
  • Massachusetts: $128,473.

Top Paying Cities for Internal Communications Manager

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: $148,895
  • San Francisco: $147,265
  • Oakland: $144,161

What Skills Can Increase an Internal Communications Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 7.95% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 1.67% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
  • Public Relations (Mentioned in 0.78% Job Postings): Public relations (PR) is the practice of deliberately managing the spread of information between an individual or an organization (such as a business, government agency, or a nonprofit organization) and the public. Public relations may include an organization or individual gaining exposure to their audiences using topics of public interest and news items that do not require direct payment. This differentiates it from advertising as a form of marketing communications. Public relations is the idea of creating coverage for clients for free, rather than marketing or advertising. But now, advertising is also a part of greater PR Activities. An example of good public relations would be generating an article featuring a client, rather than paying for the client to be advertised next to the article. The aim of public relations is to inform the public, prospective customers, investors, partners, employees, and other stakeholders and ultimately persuade them to maintain a positive or favorable view about the organization, its leadership, products, or political decisions. Public relations professionals typically work for PR and marketing firms, businesses and companies, government, and public officials as PIOs and nongovernmental organizations, and nonprofit organizations. Jobs central to public relations include account coordinator, account executive, account supervisor, and media relations manager.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 7.95%
Business Administration 1.67%
Public Relations 0.78%
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 an Internal Communications Manager's salary.

  • Product Marketing: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Zendesk: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Influencing: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Product Marketing $141,659
20%
Zendesk $125,132
6%
Influencing $123,951
5%
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Internal Communications Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Internal Communications Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $131,925. While startup companies pay approximate $111,595.

Internal Communications Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $111,595
Growth Stage 51~500 $118,023
Established 501~5000 $127,390
Enterprise 5000+ $131,925

Internal Communications Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Internal Communications Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Retail & Wholesale and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Internal Communications Manager positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Internal Communications Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Internal Communications Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale$147,561$71.025%
Construction$141,659$68.020%
Energy & Utilities$135,756$65.015%
Media$132,215$64.012%
Aerospace & Defense$129,854$62.010%

How Education impacts an Internal Communications Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Internal 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 Internal Communications Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $121,878 and $131,183.

Internal Communications Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Internal Communications Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.7%
High School 2.7%
Associates 4.7%
Bachelors 58.7%
Masters 32.7%
Doctorate 1.3%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Internal 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
$107,458
Average $118,049/year
$131,415
$8,955
Average $9,837/month
$10,951
$2,067
Average $2,270/week
$2,527
$52
Average $57/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $131,415 $10,951 $2,527 $63
Average $118,049 $9,837 $2,270 $57
25th Percentile $107,458 $8,955 $2,067 $52

Internal Communications Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Internal Communications Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For an Internal Communications Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Internal Communications Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $165,770 - a projected growth of 40% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Internal Communications Manager

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

Common company salaries for Internal Communications Manager

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

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FAQ about Internal Communications Manager

1. Where can an Internal Communications Manager earn the most?

An Internal 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, an Internal Communications Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Internal Communications Manager is $148,895.

2. What is the highest pay for Internal Communications Manager?

The highest pay for Internal Communications Manager is $143,584.

3. What is the lowest pay for Internal Communications Manager?

The lowest pay for Internal Communications Manager is $97,815.

4. What are the responsibilities of Internal Communications Manager?

Manages the daily operations of the internal communication programs within an organization. Implements and participates in the design of communication programs to support and reinforce organizational objectives and comply with regulations. Develops messaging themes and content. Ensures the accuracy of information distributed and standards using quality processes. Collaborates with public relations or corporate communications teams on projects. Oversees vendors providing support services. 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 Internal Communications Manager?

The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Internal Communications Manager roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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