Knowledge Management Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Knowledge Management Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Knowledge Management Director in the United States is $217,815 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $105.

However, a Knowledge Management Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $260,173
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $196,014 to $239,987
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $176,165

Key Factors That Influence Knowledge Management Director Salaries

A Knowledge Management Director'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 Knowledge Management Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Knowledge Management Director'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:

  • Knowledge Management Director (0-0 years): $217,815
  • SVP of Technology (0-0 years): $267,717
  • Chief Technology Officer (0-0 years): $309,739
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Knowledge Management Director0-0 years$217,815
SVP of Technology0-0 years$267,717
Chief Technology Officer0-0 years$309,739

Top Paying Cities for Knowledge Management Director

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: $274,730
  • San Francisco: $271,722
  • Oakland: $265,996

What Skills Can Increase a Knowledge Management Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.8% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.72% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
  • Service Desk (Mentioned in 1.1% Job Postings): A service desk is the single point of contact between the service provider and users for everyday activities. Goal of a service desk is to provide resolutions for user requests as efficiently as possible.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.8%
PowerPoint 1.72%
Service Desk 1.1%

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 Knowledge Management Director's salary.

  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 28%.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Management $278,803
28%
Computer Science $259,200
19%
Artificial Intelligence $252,665
16%

Knowledge Management Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Knowledge Management Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $243,831. While startup companies pay approximate $206,276.

Knowledge Management Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $206,276
Growth Stage 51~500 $218,161
Established 501~5000 $235,462
Enterprise 5000+ $243,831

Knowledge Management Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Knowledge Management Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 77% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Knowledge Management Director positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Knowledge Management Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Knowledge Management Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$294,050$141.035%
Internet$261,378$126.020%
Energy & Utilities$250,487$120.015%
Financial Services$250,487$120.015%
Pharmaceuticals$250,487$120.015%

How Education impacts an Knowledge Management Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Knowledge Management Director 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 Knowledge Management Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $207,904 and $230,385.

Knowledge Management Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Knowledge Management Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.4%
High School 2.4%
Associates 3.7%
Bachelors 36.6%
Masters 42.7%
Doctorate 14.6%

Knowledge Management Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Knowledge Management Director'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
$196,014
Average $217,815/year
$239,987
$16,335
Average $18,151/month
$19,999
$3,770
Average $4,189/week
$4,615
$94
Average $105/hour
$115
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $239,987 $19,999 $4,615 $115
Average $217,815 $18,151 $4,189 $105
25th Percentile $196,014 $16,335 $3,770 $94

Most common benefits for Knowledge Management Director

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

Common company salaries for Knowledge Management Director

Here are companies hiring for Knowledge Management Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Knowledge Management Director

1. Where can a Knowledge Management Director earn the most?

A Knowledge Management Director'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 Knowledge Management Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Knowledge Management Director is $274,730.

2. What is the highest pay for Knowledge Management Director?

The highest pay for Knowledge Management Director is $260,173.

3. What is the lowest pay for Knowledge Management Director?

The lowest pay for Knowledge Management Director is $176,165.

4. What are the responsibilities of Knowledge Management Director?

Directs the knowledge management strategy, aligning information assets with business priorities to drive efficiency, decision-making, and organizational learning. Develops scalable systems, governance, and processes to ensure seamless access to accurate and up-to-date knowledge across the organization. Oversees the knowledge management platforms, databases, and collaboration tools to enable integration, innovation, and adoption. Partners with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to identify knowledge gaps, mitigate risk, and unlock organizational insights. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Knowledge Management Director?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Knowledge Management Director 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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