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Right of Way Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Right of Way Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Right of Way Manager in the United States is $141,813 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

However, a Right of Way Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $171,820
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $125,143 to $157,520
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $109,966
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Right of Way Manager Salaries

A Right of Way 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 Right of Way Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Right of Way 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $135,593
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $136,339
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $138,081
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $142,985
  • Expert (over 8 years): $147,674
Levels Salary
Entry Level Right of Way Manager$135,593
Intermediate Level Right of Way Manager$136,339
Senior Level Right of Way Manager$138,081
Specialist Level Right of Way Manager$142,985
Expert Level Right of Way Manager$147,674
View as Graph

How Do Right of Way 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 Right of Way Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $157,015.
  • California: $156,420.
  • Massachusetts: $154,335.

Top Paying Cities for Right of Way 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: $178,869
  • San Francisco: $176,910
  • Oakland: $173,182

What Skills Can Increase a Right of Way Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 8.44% 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.
  • Market Research (Mentioned in 2.05% Job Postings): Market research is an organized effort to gather information about target markets or customers. It is a very important component of business strategy. The term is commonly interchanged with marketing research; however, expert practitioners may wish to draw a distinction, in that marketing research is concerned specifically about marketing processes, while market research is concerned specifically with markets. Market research is one of the main factors used in maintaining competitiveness over competitors. Market research provides important information which helps to identify and analyze the needs of the market, the market size and the competition. Market-research techniques encompass both qualitative techniques such as focus groups, in-depth interviews, and ethnography, as well as quantitative techniques such as customer surveys, and analysis of secondary data. Market research, which includes social and opinion research, is the systematic gathering and interpretation of information about individuals or organizations using statistical and analytical methods and techniques of the applied social sciences to gain insight or support decision making.
  • Underwriting (Mentioned in 1.19% Job Postings): Underwriting services are provided by some large financial institutions, such as banks, or insurance or investment houses, whereby they guarantee payment in case of damage or financial loss and accept the financial risk for liability arising from such guarantee. An underwriting arrangement may be created in a number of situations including insurance, issue of securities in a public offering, and bank lending, among others. The person or institution that agrees to sell a minimum number of securities of the company for commission is called the underwriter. The name derives from the Lloyd's of London insurance market. Financial bankers, who would accept some of the risk on a given venture (historically a sea voyage with associated risks of shipwreck) in exchange for a premium, would literally write their names under the risk information that was written on a Lloyd's slip created for this purpose.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 8.44%
Market Research 2.05%
Underwriting 1.19%
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 Right of Way Manager's salary.

  • Financial Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Industry Knowledge: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Real Estate Development: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Financial Analysis $173,012
22%
Industry Knowledge $171,594
21%
Real Estate Development $168,757
19%
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Right of Way Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Right of Way Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $154,627. While startup companies pay approximate $131,207.

Right of Way Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $131,207
Growth Stage 51~500 $138,673
Established 501~5000 $149,435
Enterprise 5000+ $154,627

Right of Way Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Right of Way Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Right of Way Manager positions in Financial Services or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Right of Way Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Right of Way Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$212,720$102.050%
Business Services$170,176$82.020%

How Education impacts an Right of Way Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Right of Way 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 Right of Way Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $139,439 and $151,068.

Right of Way Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Right of Way Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 15.4%
High School 15.4%
Associates 15.4%
Bachelors 15.4%
Masters 38.5%
Doctorate 15.4%
View as Graph

Right of Way Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Right of Way 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
$125,143
Average $141,813/year
$157,520
$10,429
Average $11,818/month
$13,127
$2,407
Average $2,727/week
$3,029
$60
Average $68/hour
$76
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $157,520 $13,127 $3,029 $76
Average $141,813 $11,818 $2,727 $68
25th Percentile $125,143 $10,429 $2,407 $60

Right of Way Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Right of Way Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For a Right of Way Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Property Acquisitions Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $171,897 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Right of Way Manager

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

Common company salaries for Right of Way Manager

Here are companies hiring for Right of Way Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Right of Way Manager

1. Where can a Right of Way Manager earn the most?

A Right of Way 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 Right of Way Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Right of Way Manager is $178,869.

2. What is the highest pay for Right of Way Manager?

The highest pay for Right of Way Manager is $171,820.

3. What is the lowest pay for Right of Way Manager?

The lowest pay for Right of Way Manager is $109,966.

4. What are the responsibilities of Right of Way Manager?

Oversees the organization's operations and activities regarding the need for additional land or office space. Researches, negotiates and elects to purchase short- and long-term lease of land agreements and right of way for construction that meet the organization's goals. Oversees all land related legal issues, including transfers of titles and deeds, construction, mortgage concerns, and zoning. Makes resolutions and other legal forms related to land acquisitions. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a 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. Extensive knowledge of department processes. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 to 3 years supervisory experience may be required.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Right of Way Manager?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Right of Way Manager roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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