As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Sustainability Manager in Illinois is $127,610 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.
However, a Sustainability Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Sustainability Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $140,795 | $11,733 | $2,708 | $68 |
| Average | $127,610 | $10,634 | $2,454 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,452 | $9,454 | $2,182 | $55 |
Mars Incorporated - Chicago, IL
Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates - , IL
Mars UK - Chicago, IL
Mars UK - Chicago, IL
A Sustainability 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Sustainability 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainability Analyst II | 4-7 years | $104,698 |
| Sustainability Analyst III | 7+ years | $120,527 |
| Sustainability Manager | 7+ years | $127,610 |
| Sustainability Senior Manager | 7+ years | $151,960 |
| VP of Sustainability | 7+ years | $221,234 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Sustainability Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Sustainability Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $142,731. While startup companies pay approximate $120,708.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $120,708 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $127,667 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $137,834 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $142,731 |
For Sustainability 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 Retail & Wholesale and Telecom sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Sustainability Manager positions in Software & Networking or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Sustainability Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail & Wholesale | $191,415 | $92.0 | 50% |
| Telecom | $185,035 | $89.0 | 45% |
| Media | $178,654 | $86.0 | 40% |
| MFG Nondurable | $172,274 | $83.0 | 35% |
| Construction | $165,893 | $80.0 | 30% |
Understanding how a Sustainability 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $140,795 | $11,733 | $2,708 | $68 |
| Average | $127,610 | $10,634 | $2,454 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,452 | $9,454 | $2,182 | $55 |
For a Sustainability Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Sustainability Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $151,960 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Sustainability Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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