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Project Controls Senior Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Controls Senior Manager in the United States is $178,355 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $86.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $212,814
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $164,396 to $196,392
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $151,687
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Project Controls Senior Manager Salaries

A Project Controls Senior 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 Project Controls Senior Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Controls Senior 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): $116,148
  • Project Controls Manager (10+ years): $152,047
  • Project Controls Senior Manager (10+ years): $178,355
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$116,148
Project Controls Manager10+ years$152,047
Project Controls Senior Manager10+ years$178,355
View as Graph

How Do Project Controls Senior 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 Project Controls Senior Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $197,475.
  • California: $196,726.
  • Massachusetts: $194,104.

Top Paying Cities for Project Controls Senior 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: $224,959
  • San Francisco: $222,496
  • Oakland: $217,807

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Scheduling (Mentioned in 7.54% Job Postings): Scheduling is the process of arranging, controlling and optimizing work and workloads in a production process or manufacturing process.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 1.65% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.05% 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 7.54%
Accounting 1.65%
Microsoft Office 1.05%
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 Senior Manager's salary.

  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Project Delivery: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching $189,056
6%
Teamwork $189,056
6%
Project Delivery $189,056
6%
Get Latest Data

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

Project Controls Senior Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $199,658. While startup companies pay approximate $168,906.

Project Controls Senior Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $168,906
Growth Stage 51~500 $178,638
Established 501~5000 $192,805
Enterprise 5000+ $199,658

Project Controls Senior Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Controls Senior Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Project Controls Senior Manager positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Controls Senior Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Controls Senior Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$231,862$111.030%
Pharmaceuticals$222,944$107.025%
Energy & Utilities$214,026$103.020%
Financial Services$205,108$99.015%
Business Services$196,191$94.010%

How Education impacts an Project Controls Senior Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Project Controls Senior 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 Project Controls Senior Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $178,896 and $192,650.

Project Controls Senior Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Project Controls Senior Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.2%
High School 2.4%
Associates 7.1%
Bachelors 37.6%
Masters 49.4%
Doctorate 2.4%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Project Controls Senior 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 August 01, 2026
$164,396
Average $178,355/year
$196,392
$13,700
Average $14,863/month
$16,366
$3,161
Average $3,430/week
$3,777
$79
Average $86/hour
$94
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $196,392 $16,366 $3,777 $94
Average $178,355 $14,863 $3,430 $86
25th Percentile $164,396 $13,700 $3,161 $79

Project Controls Senior Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Project Controls Senior Manager

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Project Controls Senior 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
Engineering Program Management Director $210,154 18%
Project Management Director $209,870 18%
Program Management Office Director $188,216 6%

Most common benefits for Project Controls Senior Manager

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

Common company salaries for Project Controls Senior Manager

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

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FAQ about Project Controls Senior Manager

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

A Project Controls Senior 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 Senior Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Project Controls Senior Manager is $224,959.

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

The highest pay for Project Controls Senior Manager is $212,814.

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

The lowest pay for Project Controls Senior Manager is $151,687.

4. What are the responsibilities of Project Controls Senior 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. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Project Controls Senior Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Controls Senior Manager roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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