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Project Planner I Salary in the United States

How much does a Project Planner I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Planner I in the United States is $70,704 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,472
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,431 to $77,387
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,720
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Project Planner I Salaries

A Project Planner I'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 Planner I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Planner I'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 Planner I (0-2 years): $70,704
  • Project Planner II (2-4 years): $83,714
  • Project Planner III (4-7 years): $110,876
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Project Planner I0-2 years$70,704
Project Planner II2-4 years$83,714
Project Planner III4-7 years$110,876
View as Graph

How Do Project Planner Is 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 Planner Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $78,283.
  • California: $77,987.
  • Massachusetts: $76,947.

Top Paying Cities for Project Planner I

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: $89,179
  • San Francisco: $88,203
  • Oakland: $86,344

What Skills Can Increase a Project Planner I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 18.72% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Artificial Intelligence (Mentioned in 1.4% Job Postings): Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. Specific applications of AI include expert systems, natural language processing, speech recognition and machine vision.
  • Microsoft Project (Mentioned in 1.01% Job Postings): Developing schedule, assigning resources to tasks, managing budget, and keeping project plans on time.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 18.72%
Artificial Intelligence 1.4%
Microsoft Project 1.01%
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 Planner I's salary.

  • Project Documentation: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Project Control: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Documentation $84,138
19%
Insight $79,188
12%
Project Control $78,481
11%
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Project Planner I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Project Planner I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $79,149. While startup companies pay approximate $66,958.

Project Planner I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $66,958
Growth Stage 51~500 $70,816
Established 501~5000 $76,432
Enterprise 5000+ $79,149

Project Planner I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Planner I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Project Planner positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Planner I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Planner I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$95,450$46.035%
Pharmaceuticals$95,450$46.035%
Internet$91,915$44.030%
Energy & Utilities$88,380$42.025%
Insurance$84,845$41.020%

How Education impacts an Project Planner I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Project Planner I 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 Planner I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $64,651 and $71,168.

Project Planner I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Project Planner I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.8%
High School 2.8%
Associates 4.6%
Bachelors 67.6%
Masters 25.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Project Planner I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Project Planner I'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
$64,431
Average $70,704/year
$77,387
$5,369
Average $5,892/month
$6,449
$1,239
Average $1,360/week
$1,488
$31
Average $34/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $77,387 $6,449 $1,488 $37
Average $70,704 $5,892 $1,360 $34
25th Percentile $64,431 $5,369 $1,239 $31

Project Planner I Salary Growth & Career Path

Project Planner I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Project Planner I, 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
EHR Project Manager $105,834 50%
Manufacturing Project Manager II $87,733 24%
Engineering Program Manager III $111,332 57%
Project Manager II $94,732 34%

Most common benefits for Project Planner I

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

Common company salaries for Project Planner I

Here are companies hiring for Project Planner I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Project Planner I

1. Where can a Project Planner I earn the most?

A Project Planner I'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 Planner I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Project Planner I is $89,179.

2. What is the highest pay for Project Planner I?

The highest pay for Project Planner I is $83,472.

3. What is the lowest pay for Project Planner I?

The lowest pay for Project Planner I is $58,720.

4. What are the responsibilities of Project Planner I?

Responsible for planning and scheduling various project workloads. Gathers and analyzes information to prepare status reports. Ensures that assignment and scheduling of work follow company policy. Evaluates current procedures and recommends changes to improve the efficiency of planning and scheduling of projects. Tracks costs using work orders and invoices. Documents work orders and projects and closes them in scheduling systems. Monitors schedule compliance levels and identifies reasons for completion shortfalls. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a head of a unit/department. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Project Planner I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Planner I roles, with salaries approximately 35% 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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