Customer Reference Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Customer Reference Manager make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Customer Reference Manager in the United States is $78,342 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, a Customer Reference Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $96,548
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,551 to $87,872
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,458
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View as table View as graph 25% $70,551 10% $63,458 90% $96,548 75% $87,872 $78,342 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Customer Reference Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $87,872 $7,323 $1,690 $42
Average $78,342 $6,529 $1,507 $38
25th Percentile $70,551 $5,879 $1,357 $34
Check out Customer Reference Manager Job Openings in the United States
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Sr Customer Success Account Manager-CTJ-Poly with Security Clearance

Microsoft Corporation - ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD

Principal Customer Experience Program Manager - CTJ - TS/SCI with Security Clearance

Microsoft Corporation - RESTON, VA

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Key Factors That Influence Customer Reference Manager Salaries

A Customer Reference 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 Customer Reference Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Customer Reference 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): $105,979
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $65,052
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $77,641
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $102,394
  • Expert (over 8 years): $140,570
Levels Salary
Client Se... Level Customer Reference Manager$105,979
Customer ... Level Customer Reference Manager$65,052
Customer ... Level Customer Reference Manager$77,641
Customer ... Level Customer Reference Manager$102,394
Customer ... Level Customer Reference Manager$140,570
$105,979 0 yr
$65,052 < 2 yrs
$77,641 2-4 yrs
$102,394 5-8 yrs
$140,570 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Customer Reference Manager 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 Customer Reference Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $86,740.
  • California: $86,411.
  • Massachusetts: $85,260.

Top Paying Cities for Customer Reference Managers

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: $98,813
  • San Francisco: $97,841
  • Oakland: $95,671

What Skills Can Increase a Customer Reference Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 40.89% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Customer Care (Mentioned in 1.22% Job Postings): Customer care is the process of building an emotional connection with your customers, whereas customer service is simply the advice or assistance your business provides them.
  • Cash Handling (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Process of receiving and giving money in a business. In retail, cash handling ranges from the point of sale to the behind-the-scenes money management during the day.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 40.89%
Customer Care 1.22%
Cash Handling 1.03%
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 Customer Reference Manager's salary.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Client Service: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Troubleshooting
 $82,259
5%
Client Service
 $82,259
5%
Scheduling
 $81,476
4%
Quality Control
 $81,476
4%
Initiative
 $80,692
3%
Commitment
 $80,692
3%
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How Education impacts a Customer Reference Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Customer Reference Managers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Customer Reference Manager with a Associate's Degree is between $72,900 and $78,362).

Customer Reference Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Customer Reference Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.2%
High School 38.7%
Associates 17.5%
Bachelors 36.5%
Masters 6.0%
Doctorate 0.1%
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Customer Reference Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Customer Reference 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$70,551
Average $78,342/year
$87,872
$5,879
Average $6,529/month
$7,323
$1,357
Average $1,507/week
$1,690
$34
Average $38/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $87,872 $7,323 $1,690 $42
Average $78,342 $6,529 $1,507 $38
25th Percentile $70,551 $5,879 $1,357 $34

Salaries of jobs related to Customer Reference Manager

Salary Trends for Customer Reference Manager

Salaries for a Customer Reference Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $61,506 in 2023 to around $62,203 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Customer Reference Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Customer Reference Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$61,506
2024
$62,247
2025
$62,203
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $61,506
2024 $62,247
2025 $62,203
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Customer Reference Manager

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