Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Project Controls Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Controls Manager in the United States is $152,066 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $186,653
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $138,879 to $170,170
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $126,873
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Project Controls Manager Salaries

A Project Controls 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 Controls Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Controls 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:

  • Cost Engineer IV (7+ years): $131,818
  • Cost Engineer V (7-10 years): $155,328
  • Project Cost Control Team Leader (10+ years): $116,152
  • Project Controls Manager (10+ years): $152,066
  • Project Controls Senior Manager (10+ years): $178,383
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cost Engineer IV7+ years$131,818
Cost Engineer V7-10 years$155,328
Project Cost Control Team Leader10+ years$116,152
Project Controls Manager10+ years$152,066
Project Controls Senior Manager10+ years$178,383
View as Graph

How Do Project Controls 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 Project Controls Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $168,367.
  • California: $167,729.
  • Massachusetts: $165,493.

Top Paying Cities for Project Controls 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: $191,801
  • San Francisco: $189,701
  • Oakland: $185,703

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Scheduling (Mentioned in 8.25% Job Postings): Scheduling is the process of arranging, controlling and optimizing work and workloads in a production process or manufacturing process.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 1.83% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.06% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Scheduling 8.25%
Accounting 1.83%
Microsoft Office 1.06%
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 Project Controls Manager's salary.

  • Budget Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Project Delivery: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Microsoft Project: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Budget Management $162,711
7%
Project Delivery $158,149
4%
Microsoft Project $158,149
4%
Get Latest Data

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

Project Controls Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $169,940. While startup companies pay approximate $143,752.

Project Controls Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $143,752
Growth Stage 51~500 $152,032
Established 501~5000 $164,099
Enterprise 5000+ $169,940

Project Controls Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Controls Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 54% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Project Controls Manager positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Controls Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Controls Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$190,082$91.025%
Software & Networking$190,082$91.025%
Pharmaceuticals$182,479$88.020%
Biotechnology$179,438$86.018%
Aerospace & Defense$170,314$82.012%

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

Understanding how a Project Controls 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
$138,879
Average $152,066/year
$170,170
$11,573
Average $12,672/month
$14,181
$2,671
Average $2,924/week
$3,273
$67
Average $73/hour
$82
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $170,170 $14,181 $3,273 $82
Average $152,066 $12,672 $2,924 $73
25th Percentile $138,879 $11,573 $2,671 $67

Project Controls Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Project Controls Manager

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Project Controls Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Manufacturing Project Management Senior Manager $152,061 0%
Engineering Program Management Senior Manager $177,899 17%
Project Management Manager, Sr. $171,345 13%
Project Controls Senior Manager $178,383 17%

Most common benefits for Project Controls Manager

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

Common company salaries for Project Controls Manager

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

Find Your Next Project Controls Manager Job

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

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

A Project Controls 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 Controls Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Project Controls Manager is $191,801.

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

The highest pay for Project Controls Manager is $186,653.

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

The lowest pay for Project Controls Manager is $126,873.

4. What are the responsibilities of Project Controls Manager?

Develops and implements standardized project controls to manage budgets, scheduling, and quality for engineering, construction, and other types of projects. Establishes controls and operating policies that identify, monitor, and mitigate risk factors that could impact the success of a project. Creates standard methods for project estimating, procurement, accounting, work breakdown structure, contract management, reporting, and other project-related processes. Ensures controls address cost or budget considerations, scope changes, supplier performance, and other risk levels. Provides guidance and consultation to project managers. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. 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 Controls Manager?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Controls 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.

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