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Scrum Master I Salary in the United States

How much does a Scrum Master I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Scrum Master I in the United States is $93,457 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $102,287
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $84,595 to $98,079
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $76,527
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Scrum Master I Salaries

A Scrum Master 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Scrum Master I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Scrum Master 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:

  • Scrum Master I (0-2 years): $93,457
  • Scrum Master II (2-4 years): $110,135
  • Scrum Master III (4-7 years): $127,799
  • Scrum Master IV (7+ years): $141,345
  • Scrum Program Manager (7+ years): $142,331
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Scrum Master I0-2 years$93,457
Scrum Master II2-4 years$110,135
Scrum Master III4-7 years$127,799
Scrum Master IV7+ years$141,345
Scrum Program Manager7+ years$142,331
View as Graph

How Do Scrum Master I 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 Scrum Master Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $103,476.
  • California: $103,083.
  • Massachusetts: $101,709.

Top Paying Cities for Scrum Master Is

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: $117,877
  • San Francisco: $116,587
  • Oakland: $114,130

What Skills Can Increase a Scrum Master I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 3.99% 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.
  • Jira (Mentioned in 1.2% Job Postings): Tracking and managing software application bug issues and agile projects.
  • Agile Methodology (Mentioned in 0.64% Job Postings): The Agile methodology is a way to manage a project by breaking it up into several phases. The goal of Agile is to produce shorter development cycles and more frequent product releases than traditional waterfall project management.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 3.99%
Jira 1.2%
Agile Methodology 0.64%
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 Scrum Master I's salary.

  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Change Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Agility: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Alignment $103,737
11%
Change Management $102,803
10%
Agility $102,803
10%
Get Latest Data

Scrum Master I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Scrum Master I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $104,442. While startup companies pay approximate $88,347.

Scrum Master I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $88,347
Growth Stage 51~500 $93,436
Established 501~5000 $100,852
Enterprise 5000+ $104,442

Scrum Master I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Scrum Master I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Hospitality & Leisure and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Scrum Master positions in Transportation or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Scrum Master I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Scrum Master I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$116,821$56.025%
Energy & Utilities$112,148$54.020%
Financial Services$107,476$52.015%
Pharmaceuticals$104,672$50.012%
Biotechnology$102,803$49.010%

Scrum Master I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Scrum Master 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 September 01, 2026
$84,595
Average $93,457/year
$98,079
$7,050
Average $7,788/month
$8,173
$1,627
Average $1,797/week
$1,886
$41
Average $45/hour
$47
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $98,079 $8,173 $1,886 $47
Average $93,457 $7,788 $1,797 $45
25th Percentile $84,595 $7,050 $1,627 $41

Scrum Master I Salary Growth & Career Path

Scrum Master I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Scrum Master 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
Scrum Master II $110,135 18%
Scrum Product Owner II $112,036 20%

Most common benefits for Scrum Master I

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

Common company salaries for Scrum Master I

Here are companies hiring for Scrum Master I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Scrum Master I

1. Where can a Scrum Master I earn the most?

A Scrum Master 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 Scrum Master I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Scrum Master I is $117,877.

2. What is the highest pay for Scrum Master I?

The highest pay for Scrum Master I is $102,287.

3. What is the lowest pay for Scrum Master I?

The lowest pay for Scrum Master I is $76,527.

4. What are the responsibilities of Scrum Master I?

Coordinates a cross-functional Agile development team utilizing the principles and tools of the Scrum Framework. Assumes a servant leadership role to support a self-organized team to complete Scrum projects. Identifies and removes impediments to progress. Facilitates sprint planning meetings, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, demos, and retrospectives. Identifies and manages the backlog. Supports, coaches and mentors team members. Tracks daily sprint progress and maintain schedules. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically requires Certified Scrum Master (CSM). Typically reports to a director. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Scrum Master I?

The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Scrum Master I 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.

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