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Project Planner II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Planner II in the United States is $83,709 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $101,579
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,895 to $93,063
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,691

Key Factors That Influence Project Planner II Salaries

A Project Planner II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Planner II'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): $70,702
  • Project Planner II (2-4 years): $83,709
  • Project Planner III (4-7 years): $110,872
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Project Planner I0-2 years$70,702
Project Planner II2-4 years$83,709
Project Planner III4-7 years$110,872

Top Paying Cities for Project Planner IIs

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: $105,582
  • San Francisco: $104,426
  • Oakland: $102,225

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 19.58% 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.
  • Forecasting (Mentioned in 2.49% Job Postings): Forecasting is the process of making predictions of the future based on past and present data and most commonly by analysis of trends. A commonplace example might be estimation of some variable of interest at some specified future date. Prediction is a similar, but more general term. Both might refer to formal statistical methods employing time series, cross-sectional or longitudinal data, or alternatively to less formal judgmental methods. Usage can differ between areas of application: for example, in hydrology the terms "forecast" and "forecasting" are sometimes reserved for estimates of values at certain specific future times, while the term "prediction" is used for more general estimates, such as the number of times floods will occur over a long period. Risk and uncertainty are central to forecasting and prediction; it is generally considered good practice to indicate the degree of uncertainty attaching to forecasts. In any case, the data must be up to date in order for the forecast to be as accurate as possible. In some cases the data used to predict the variable of interest is itself forecasted.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.22% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 19.58%
Forecasting 2.49%
Continuous Improvement 1.22%

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 II's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $89,569
7%
Consulting $89,569
7%
Program Management $87,894
5%

Project Planner II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Project Planner II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $93,548. While startup companies pay approximate $79,132.

Project Planner II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $79,132
Growth Stage 51~500 $83,690
Established 501~5000 $90,333
Enterprise 5000+ $93,548

Project Planner II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Planner II 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 Planner positions in Telecom or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Planner II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Planner II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$100,451$48.020%
Biotechnology$100,451$48.020%
Energy & Utilities$100,451$48.020%
Financial Services$100,451$48.020%
Internet$100,451$48.020%

How Education impacts a Project Planner II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Project Planner II 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $77,223 and $83,398.

Project Planner II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Project Planner II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.8%
High School 2.8%
Associates 2.8%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 41.7%
Doctorate 2.8%

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

Understanding how a Project Planner II'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
$76,895
Average $83,709/year
$93,063
$6,408
Average $6,976/month
$7,755
$1,479
Average $1,610/week
$1,790
$37
Average $40/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $93,063 $7,755 $1,790 $45
Average $83,709 $6,976 $1,610 $40
25th Percentile $76,895 $6,408 $1,479 $37

Project Planner II Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Project Planner II, 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.

Project Planner II Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
EHR Project Manager $105,825 26%
Manufacturing Project Manager III $111,329 33%
Engineering Program Manager III $111,329 33%
Project Manager III $115,937 39%

Most common benefits for Project Planner II

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

Common company salaries for Project Planner II

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

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FAQ about Project Planner II

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

A Project Planner II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Project Planner II is $105,582.

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

The highest pay for Project Planner II is $101,579.

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

The lowest pay for Project Planner II is $70,691.

4. What are the responsibilities of Project Planner II?

Responsible for planning and scheduling various project workloads. Gathers and analyzes information to prepare status reports. Ensures that assignment and scheduling of work follows company policy. Evaluates current procedures and recommends changes to improve the efficiency of planning and scheduling of projects. Tracks and records costs through work orders and invoices. Ensures that all work orders and projects are properly documented and closed in scheduling systems. Evaluates the level of schedule compliance and identifies reasons for completion shortfalls. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience.

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Planner II 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.

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