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Programming Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Programming Manager make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Programming Manager in the United States is $155,907 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $75.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $177,291
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $146,052 to $167,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $137,080
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Programming Manager Salaries

A Programming 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 Programming Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Programming 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): $168,699
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $135,531
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $155,084
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $181,319
  • Expert (over 8 years): $199,082
Levels Salary
Applicati... Level Programming Manager$168,699
Applicati... Level Programming Manager$135,531
Programmi... Level Programming Manager$155,084
Applicati... Level Programming Manager$181,319
Applicati... Level Programming Manager$199,082
View as Graph

How Do Programming 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 Programming Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $172,620.
  • California: $171,965.
  • Massachusetts: $169,674.

Top Paying Cities for Programming 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: $196,645
  • San Francisco: $194,492
  • Oakland: $190,394

What Skills Can Increase a Programming Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 10.71% 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.
  • Application Support (Mentioned in 2.19% Job Postings): Applications support is a service that ensures the operational processes in a business run smoothly and enables users to conduct their business.
  • Azure (Mentioned in 1.22% Job Postings): Microsoft Azure, often referred to as Azure, is a cloud computing service operated by Microsoft for application management via Microsoft-managed data centers.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 10.71%
Application Support 2.19%
Azure 1.22%
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 Programming Manager's salary.

  • People Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Business Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
People Management $165,261
6%
Partnering $162,143
4%
Business Analysis $162,143
4%
Get Latest Data

Programming Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Programming Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 38% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Programming Manager positions in Internet or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Programming Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Programming Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$183,970$88.018%
Energy & Utilities$179,293$86.015%
Financial Services$179,293$86.015%
Construction$174,616$84.012%
Insurance$171,498$82.010%

How Education impacts a Programming Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Programming Managers 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 Programming Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $149,605 and $157,999).

Programming Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Programming Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.1%
High School 5.1%
Associates 8.2%
Bachelors 58.2%
Masters 24.5%
Doctorate 1.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Programming 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 October 01, 2026
$146,052
Average $155,907/year
$167,100
$12,171
Average $12,992/month
$13,925
$2,809
Average $2,998/week
$3,213
$70
Average $75/hour
$80
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $167,100 $13,925 $3,213 $80
Average $155,907 $12,992 $2,998 $75
25th Percentile $146,052 $12,171 $2,809 $70

Most common benefits for Programming Manager

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

Common company salaries for Programming Manager

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

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FAQ about Programming Manager

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Programming Manager roles, with salaries approximately 18% 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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