How much does an Import Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Import Manager in the United States is $116,609 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $139,483
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $106,934 to $128,582
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,125

Key Factors That Influence Import Manager Salaries

An Import 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 Import Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Import 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): $75,555
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $89,996
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $115,728
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $138,722
  • Expert (over 8 years): $176,332
Levels Salary
Import/Ex... Level Import Manager$75,555
Import/Ex... Level Import Manager$89,996
Import Ma... Level Import Manager$115,728
Import/Ex... Level Import Manager$138,722
Import/Ex... Level Import Manager$176,332

Top Paying Cities for Import 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: $147,079
  • San Francisco: $145,469
  • Oakland: $142,403

What Skills Can Increase an Import Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.17% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.35% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Event Management (Mentioned in 0.94% Job Postings): Setting up, designing, and hosting social and business events to boost the business's reputation and client base.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.17%
Microsoft Office 1.35%
Event Management 0.94%

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 an Import Manager's salary.

  • Guest Service: Can increase your salary by up to 34%.
  • Catering: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Business Development: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Guest Service $156,256
34%
Catering $141,097
21%
Business Development $137,599
18%

Import Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Import Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 62% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 28% above the average. In contrast, Import Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Import Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Import Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$149,260$72.028%
Financial Services$137,599$66.018%
Internet$134,100$64.015%
Energy & Utilities$128,270$62.010%
Aerospace & Defense$124,772$60.07%

How Education impacts an Import Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Import 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 an Import Manager with a Associate's Degree is between $119,713 and $126,299).

Import Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Import Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 20.4%
Associates 12.2%
Bachelors 47.7%
Masters 16.7%
Doctorate 2.1%

Import Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Import 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 September 01, 2026
$106,934
Average $116,609/year
$128,582
$8,911
Average $9,717/month
$10,715
$2,056
Average $2,242/week
$2,473
$51
Average $56/hour
$62
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $128,582 $10,715 $2,473 $62
Average $116,609 $9,717 $2,242 $56
25th Percentile $106,934 $8,911 $2,056 $51

Most common benefits for Import Manager

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

Common company salaries for Import Manager

Here are companies hiring for Import Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Import Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Import Manager?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Import Manager roles, with salaries approximately 28% 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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