Project Accounting Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Accounting Manager in the United States is $137,285 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $145,179
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $109,544 to $141,417
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $84,287

Key Factors That Influence Project Accounting Manager Salaries

A Project Accounting 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 Project Accounting Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Accounting 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:

  • Project Accountant I (0-2 years): $71,187
  • Project Accountant II (2-4 years): $80,492
  • Project Accountant III (4-7 years): $88,779
  • Project Accounting Manager (7+ years): $137,285
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Project Accountant I0-2 years$71,187
Project Accountant II2-4 years$80,492
Project Accountant III4-7 years$88,779
Project Accounting Manager7+ years$137,285

Top Paying Cities for Project Accounting 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: $173,158
  • San Francisco: $171,262
  • Oakland: $167,652

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.69% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Business Analysis (Mentioned in 1.28% Job Postings): Analyzing an organization's structure, process, technology, and capabilities to determine changes needed for achieving organizational goals.
  • Financial Statements (Mentioned in 1.28% Job Postings): Obtaining and creating formal records of business activities and cash flows to provide results for financial performance.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.69%
Business Analysis 1.28%
Financial Statements 1.28%

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 Accounting Manager's salary.

  • KPI: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Decision Support: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
KPI $151,014
10%
Decision Making $149,641
9%
Decision Support $148,268
8%

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

Project Accounting Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $153,264. While startup companies pay approximate $129,776.

Project Accounting Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $129,776
Growth Stage 51~500 $137,222
Established 501~5000 $147,989
Enterprise 5000+ $153,264

Project Accounting Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Accounting Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Project Accounting Manager positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Accounting Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Accounting Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$164,742$79.020%
Biotechnology$164,742$79.020%
Business Services$164,742$79.020%
Chemicals$164,742$79.020%
Construction$164,742$79.020%

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

Understanding how a Project Accounting 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 October 01, 2026
$109,544
Average $137,285/year
$141,417
$9,129
Average $11,440/month
$11,785
$2,107
Average $2,640/week
$2,720
$53
Average $66/hour
$68
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $141,417 $11,785 $2,720 $68
Average $137,285 $11,440 $2,640 $66
25th Percentile $109,544 $9,129 $2,107 $53

Most common benefits for Project Accounting Manager

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

Common company salaries for Project Accounting Manager

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

Find Your Next Project Accounting Manager Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Project Accounting 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 Project Accounting Manager

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

A Project Accounting 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 Project Accounting Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Project Accounting Manager is $173,158.

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

The highest pay for Project Accounting Manager is $145,179.

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

The lowest pay for Project Accounting Manager is $84,287.

4. What are the responsibilities of Project Accounting Manager?

Manages a team of project accountants that perform accounting and financial activities to measure and monitor project financial performance. Oversees the creation and maintenance of project level accounts. Ensures that all postings, allocations, accruals and payments for the project are completed according to schedule. Reviews monthly project status reports prior to project reviews. Supports project leaders to address changes in project scope or timeline and resolve any financial issues that might impede project timelines. Tracks and analyzes consolidated financial results for all projects. Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. 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 Project Accounting Manager?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Accounting Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.

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