What are the main factors that influence a County Manager's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A County Manager's salary?

A County Manager's salary grows with experience: a Government Affairs Specialist III (7+ years)earns $168,272, a Government Affairs Specialist IV (7-10 years)earns $201,953, a County Manager (10+ years)earns $170,517, a Government Affairs Senior Manager (10+ years)earns $221,362, a Government Affairs Director (10+ years)earns $241,899,

What are the highest paying states for a County Manager?

County Manager salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for County Manager roles are District of Columbia $169,079, California $168,438, Massachusetts $166,193. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of County Manager roles make?

Salaries for County Manager level roles vary by specialization: County Administrator: $151,246; County Attorney: $112,820; County Market Assistant Manager: $105,955; County Market Manager: $81,010; County Engineer: $75,379.

County Manager Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a County Manager make in District of Columbia?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a County Manager in District of Columbia is $169,079 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $81.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $195,979
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $148,371 to $183,160
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $129,518

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County Manager Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$183,160	$15,263	$3,522	$88
Average	$169,079	$14,090	$3,252	$81
25th Percentile	$148,371	$12,364	$2,853	$71

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Key Factors That Influence County Manager Salaries

A County 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.

How Experience Level Affects County Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a County 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): $168,272
Early Career (1-2 years): $201,953
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $170,517
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $221,362
Expert (over 8 years): $241,899

Levels	Salary
Governmen... Level County Manager	$168,272
Governmen... Level County Manager	$201,953
County Ma... Level County Manager	$170,517
Governmen... Level County Manager	$221,362
Governmen... Level County Manager	$241,899

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What Am I Worth?

How Do County 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 County Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $169,079.
California: $168,438.
Massachusetts: $166,193.

District of Columbia $169,079 California $168,438 Massachusetts $166,193 Washington $165,582 New Jersey $165,521 Alaska $165,307 Connecticut $163,200 New York $162,345

Hawaii $159,611 Rhode Island $158,329 Maryland $157,458 Minnesota $156,267 Colorado $155,809 Illinois $155,656 Oregon $155,076 Delaware $154,648

New Hampshire $154,380 Virginia $153,778 Pennsylvania $152,022 Nevada $151,136 North Dakota $150,846 Michigan $150,388 Wisconsin $150,220 Vermont $149,884

Texas $148,952 Maine $148,891 Arizona $148,800 Ohio $148,693 Georgia $147,288 Indiana $146,585 Wyoming $146,448 Utah $146,234

Iowa $146,143 Kansas $145,410 Louisiana $145,196 North Carolina $145,119 Missouri $145,089 Florida $144,493 Montana $144,173 Nebraska $143,867

Kentucky $143,699 South Carolina $143,088 Tennessee $142,707 Idaho $142,554 New Mexico $141,439 Oklahoma $141,195 Alabama $140,294 South Dakota $138,782

Arkansas $137,957 West Virginia $137,514 Mississippi $136,186

Top Paying Cities for County 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:

Parcel Return Service: $168,162
Washington: $168,163
Naval Anacost Annex: $168,156

Parcel Return Service, DC $168,162 Washington, DC $168,163 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $168,156 Washington Navy Yard, DC $168,162

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

Understanding how a County 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 May 01, 2026

$148,371

Average $169,079/year

$183,160

$12,364

Average $14,090/month

$15,263

$2,853

Average $3,252/week

$3,522

$71

Average $81/hour

$88

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$183,160	$15,263	$3,522	$88
Average	$169,079	$14,090	$3,252	$81
25th Percentile	$148,371	$12,364	$2,853	$71

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Cost of Living In District of Columbia

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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