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Entry Level Project Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Level Project Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Project Manager in the United States is $77,002 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, an Entry Level Project Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,101
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,614 to $83,859
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,887
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Project Manager Salaries

An Entry Level 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Level Project Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $77,516
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $96,888
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $118,569
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,551
  • Expert (over 8 years): $157,500
Levels Salary
Entry Lev... Level Entry Level Project Manager$77,516
Project M... Level Entry Level Project Manager$96,888
Project M... Level Entry Level Project Manager$118,569
Project M... Level Entry Level Project Manager$133,551
Project M... Level Entry Level Project Manager$157,500
View as Graph

How Do Entry Level Project 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 Entry Level Project Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $85,257.
  • California: $84,934.
  • Massachusetts: $83,802.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Project 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: $97,123
  • San Francisco: $96,060
  • Oakland: $94,035

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Project Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 21.15% 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.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.25% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 1.01% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 21.15%
PowerPoint 1.25%
Scrum 1.01%
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 an Entry Level Project Manager's salary.

  • Scrum: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Scrum $83,163
8%
Program Management $83,163
8%
Agile $82,393
7%
Get Latest Data

Entry Level Project Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Level Project Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Project Manager positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Project Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Entry Level Project Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$115,504$56.050%

How Education impacts an Entry Level Project Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level Project Managers 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 an Entry Level Project Manager with a Associate's Degree is between $70,971 and $75,660).

Entry Level Project Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Level Project Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 8.7%
Associates 6.7%
Bachelors 54.1%
Masters 28.5%
Doctorate 1.7%
View as Graph

Entry Level Project Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$69,614
Average $77,002/year
$83,859
$5,801
Average $6,417/month
$6,988
$1,339
Average $1,481/week
$1,613
$33
Average $37/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,859 $6,988 $1,613 $40
Average $77,002 $6,417 $1,481 $37
25th Percentile $69,614 $5,801 $1,339 $33

Most common benefits for Entry Level Project Manager

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

Common company salaries for Entry Level Project Manager

Here are companies hiring for Entry Level Project Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Level Project Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Level Project Manager?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Level Project Manager roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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