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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Freelance Project Manager in California is $125,275 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.
However, a Freelance Project Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Freelance Project Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $135,897 | $11,325 | $2,613 | $65 |
| Average | $125,275 | $10,440 | $2,409 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,722 | $9,143 | $2,110 | $53 |
Syneos Health Careers - Santa Monica, CA
Syneos Health Careers - Santa Monica, CA
Creative Vision Graphics Inc - Burbank, CA
Global Channel Management, Inc. - Culver City, CA
A Freelance 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Freelance 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Project M... Level Freelance Project Manager | $82,603 |
| Project M... Level Freelance Project Manager | $103,246 |
| Freelance... Level Freelance Project Manager | $126,356 |
| Project M... Level Freelance Project Manager | $142,326 |
| Project M... Level Freelance Project Manager | $167,847 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Freelance Project Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Freelance Project Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Freelance Project Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Freelance Project Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $150,331 | $72.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $150,331 | $72.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $144,067 | $69.0 | 15% |
| Software & Networking | $144,067 | $69.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $137,803 | $66.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Freelance 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $135,897 | $11,325 | $2,613 | $65 |
| Average | $125,275 | $10,440 | $2,409 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,722 | $9,143 | $2,110 | $53 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Freelance Project Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Assa Abloy Group
Baldwin Park, CA
Assa Abloy Group | Baldwin Park, CA
New Construction Sales / Project Mgr. Lawrence Doors, Inc., a leader in the commercial door industry, and a part of Amarr / ASSA ABLOY Group (the global le... more
4 Days Ago
A-STAFFING, INC.
Torrance, CA
A-STAFFING, INC. | Torrance, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Title: Web Project Manager & Front-End Engineer. Industry: IT Consulting Company. Location: Torrance, California (On-site... more
6 Days Ago
A-STAFFING, INC.
Torrance, CA
A-STAFFING, INC. | Torrance, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Title: Web Project Manager & Digital Marketer. Industry: IT Consulting Company. Location: Torrance, California (On-site o... more
6 Days Ago
BUILDRITE LLC
Los Angeles, CA
BUILDRITE LLC | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Summary/Objective. The Per Project Project Manager is responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of assig... more
6 Days Ago
KSP Studio
Irvine, CA
KSP Studio | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Project Architect & Senior Project Manager | Full-Time | Southern California. Industry: Architecture. Location. Lake Fore... more
7 Days Ago
KSP Studio
San Diego, CA
KSP Studio | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Project Architect & Senior Project Manager | Full-Time | Southern California. Industry: Architecture. Location. Lake Fore... more
7 Days Ago
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