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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Project Manager in California is $174,896 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $84.
However, a Lead Project Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lead Project Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $180,668 | $15,056 | $3,474 | $87 |
| Average | $174,896 | $14,575 | $3,363 | $84 |
| 25th Percentile | $166,449 | $13,871 | $3,201 | $80 |
SSOE - Santa Clara, CA
WSP - Costa Mesa, CA
FeverUp - Los Angeles, CA
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A Lead Project 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 Lead Project 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Project M... Level Lead Project Manager | $131,343 |
| Project M... Level Lead Project Manager | $147,943 |
| Lead Proj... Level Lead Project Manager | $174,472 |
| Project M... Level Lead Project Manager | $124,464 |
| Project M... Level Lead Project Manager | $166,520 |
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 Lead Project 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:
For Lead Project Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 47% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Lead Project Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Project Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $218,620 | $105.0 | 25% |
| Internet | $206,377 | $99.0 | 18% |
| Energy & Utilities | $201,131 | $97.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $195,884 | $94.0 | 12% |
| Insurance | $188,888 | $91.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Lead Project 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 | $180,668 | $15,056 | $3,474 | $87 |
| Average | $174,896 | $14,575 | $3,363 | $84 |
| 25th Percentile | $166,449 | $13,871 | $3,201 | $80 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Project Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
raise consulting
Playa Del Rey, CA
raise consulting | Playa Del Rey, CA
As a Lead Project Manager, you will have full responsibility for overseeing complex projects exceeding $35M, acting as the key point of accountability for ... more
4 Days Ago
Willdan
San Francisco, CA
Willdan | San Francisco, CA
Willdan Performance Engineering, a subsidiary of Willdan, is actively seeking a Lead Construction Project Manager. As a national full-service design-build ... more
4 Days Ago
Locke Staffing Group
San Mateo, CA
Locke Staffing Group | San Mateo, CA
Lead Project Manager $220,000 - $260,000 BenefitsJoin a nationally award-winning general contractor with a strong reputation in large-scale public and educ... more
4 Days Ago
Navigate Search
Hayward, CA
Navigate Search | Hayward, CA
Lead Project Manager - Environmental & Infrastructure ProjectsJoin a mission-driven construction firm with a strong track record in environmental solutions... more
4 Days Ago
Global Channel Management, Inc.
Culver City, CA
Global Channel Management, Inc. | Culver City, CA
Project Mgr needs 3 years experience Project Mgr requires: Ability to develop and monitor project plans and timelines, manage multiple priorities simultane... more
6 Days Ago
*US AMR-Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc.
San Francisco, CA
*US AMR-Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. | San Francisco, CA
Join JLL in Shaping the Future of Real EstateAt JLL and JLL Technologies, we are dedicated to transforming the real estate landscape through a blend of exc... more
4 Days Ago
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