Manager, External Communications Salary in the United States

How much does a Manager, External Communications make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manager, External Communications in the United States is $122,424 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $142,787
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $111,027 to $133,083
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $100,651
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View as table View as graph 25% $111,027 10% $100,651 90% $142,787 75% $133,083 $122,424 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Manager, External Communications Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $133,083 $11,090 $2,559 $64
Average $122,424 $10,202 $2,354 $59
25th Percentile $111,027 $9,252 $2,135 $53
Check out Manager, External Communications Job Openings in the United States
Marketing Communications Manager

The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau - BOSTON, MA

Communications Security (COMSEC) Manager Assistant - Active Top with Security Clearance

Akima - WASHINGTON, DC

Senior Communications Security Manager with Security Clearance

UICGS and Bowhead Family of Companies - ARLINGTON, VA

External Communications Specialist with Security Clearance

KBR - BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE, MD

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Key Factors That Influence Manager, External Communications Salaries

A Manager, External Communications'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 Manager, External Communications Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Manager, External Communications'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): $117,291
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $117,813
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $119,031
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $120,423
  • Expert (over 8 years): $122,738
Levels Salary
Entry Level Manager, External Communications$117,291
Intermediate Level Manager, External Communications$117,813
Senior Level Manager, External Communications$119,031
Specialist Level Manager, External Communications$120,423
Expert Level Manager, External Communications$122,738
$117,291 0 yr
$117,813 < 2 yrs
$119,031 2-4 yrs
$120,423 5-8 yrs
$122,738 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Manager, External Communications 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 Manager, External Communications. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $135,548.
  • California: $135,034.
  • Massachusetts: $133,234.

Top Paying Cities for Manager, External Communications

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: $154,413
  • San Francisco: $152,895
  • Oakland: $149,504

What Skills Can Increase a Manager, External Communications's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 7.72% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Strategic Communication (Mentioned in 3.02% Job Postings): Strategic communication refers to policy-making and guidance for consistent information activity within an organization and between organizations.
  • Executive Communications (Mentioned in 1.24% Job Postings): Exchanging of information between leadership, senior management, or an executive team, and employees in an organization.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 7.72%
Strategic Communication 3.02%
Executive Communications 1.24%
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 Manager, External Communications's salary.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Executive Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Employee Engagement: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting
 $133,442
9%
Executive Communications
 $128,545
5%
Employee Engagement
 $127,321
4%
Insight
 $127,321
4%
Change Management
 $127,321
4%
Alignment
 $127,321
4%
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How Education impacts a Manager, External Communications's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Manager, External Communications enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Manager, External Communications with a Bachelor's Degree is between $121,712 and $129,458).

Manager, External Communications Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Manager, External Communications
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 2.4%
Associates 1.9%
Bachelors 59.8%
Masters 34.5%
Doctorate 0.9%
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Manager, External Communications Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Manager, External Communications'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
$111,027
Average $122,424/year
$133,083
$9,252
Average $10,202/month
$11,090
$2,135
Average $2,354/week
$2,559
$53
Average $59/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $133,083 $11,090 $2,559 $64
Average $122,424 $10,202 $2,354 $59
25th Percentile $111,027 $9,252 $2,135 $53

Salaries of jobs related to Manager, External Communications

Salary Trends for Manager, External Communications

Salaries for a Manager, External Communications can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $110,374 in 2023 to around $108,133 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Manager, External Communications salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Manager, External Communications Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$110,374
2024
$109,434
2025
$108,133
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $110,374
2024 $109,434
2025 $108,133
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Manager, External Communications

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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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