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Project Director, Capital Projects Salary in the United States

How much does a Project Director, Capital Projects make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Director, Capital Projects in the United States is $176,837 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $85.

However, a Project Director, Capital Projects's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $211,259
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $163,000 to $194,855
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $150,402
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Project Director, Capital Projects Salaries

A Project Director, Capital Projects'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 Project Director, Capital Projects Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Director, Capital Projects'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): $133,746
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $157,730
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $112,519
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $156,770
  • Expert (over 8 years): $175,512
Levels Salary
Project M... Level Project Director, Capital Projects$133,746
Project M... Level Project Director, Capital Projects$157,730
Project M... Level Project Director, Capital Projects$112,519
Project M... Level Project Director, Capital Projects$156,770
Project D... Level Project Director, Capital Projects$175,512
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How Do Project Director, Capital Projects 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 Project Director, Capital Projects. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $195,794.
  • California: $195,051.
  • Massachusetts: $192,452.

Top Paying Cities for Project Director, Capital Projects

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: $223,045
  • San Francisco: $220,602
  • Oakland: $215,953

What Skills Can Increase a Project Director, Capital Projects's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 21.53% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Risk Mitigation (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): Assessing, monitoring, and controlling risk and its probabilities using automation controls to minimize the potential financial risks and improve the organization's processes.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 21.53%
SOP 1.61%
Risk Mitigation 1.31%
See More Skills

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 Project Director, Capital Projects's salary.

  • Drug Development: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Risk Mitigation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Contingency Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Drug Development $190,984
8%
Risk Mitigation $185,679
5%
Contingency Planning $185,679
5%
Get Latest Data

Project Director, Capital Projects Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Director, Capital Projects roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Telecom and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Project Director, Capital Projects positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Director, Capital Projects as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Director, Capital Projects

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Telecom$221,046$106.025%
Energy & Utilities$212,204$102.020%
Aerospace & Defense$203,363$98.015%
Chemicals$194,521$94.010%
Financial Services$194,521$94.010%

How Education impacts a Project Director, Capital Projects's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Project Director, Capital Projects 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 Project Director, Capital Projects with a Associate's Degree is between $168,639 and $178,650).

Project Director, Capital Projects Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Project Director, Capital Projects
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 4.2%
Associates 3.9%
Bachelors 37.6%
Masters 48.2%
Doctorate 5.3%
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Project Director, Capital Projects Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Project Director, Capital Projects'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 October 01, 2026
$163,000
Average $176,837/year
$194,855
$13,583
Average $14,736/month
$16,238
$3,135
Average $3,401/week
$3,747
$78
Average $85/hour
$94
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $194,855 $16,238 $3,747 $94
Average $176,837 $14,736 $3,401 $85
25th Percentile $163,000 $13,583 $3,135 $78

Most common benefits for Project Director, Capital Projects

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

Common company salaries for Project Director, Capital Projects

Here are companies hiring for Project Director, Capital Projects and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Project Director, Capital Projects

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Project Director, Capital Projects?

The Telecom industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Director, Capital Projects roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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