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General Manager Public Works Salary in the United States

How much does a General Manager Public Works make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Manager Public Works in the United States is $146,255 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $70.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $169,457
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $128,298 to $158,400
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $111,949
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence General Manager Public Works Salaries

A General Manager Public Works'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 General Manager Public Works Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General Manager Public Works'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): $145,524
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $174,611
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $147,502
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $191,496
  • Expert (over 8 years): $209,253
Levels Salary
Governmen... Level General Manager Public Works$145,524
Governmen... Level General Manager Public Works$174,611
General M... Level General Manager Public Works$147,502
Governmen... Level General Manager Public Works$191,496
Governmen... Level General Manager Public Works$209,253
View as Graph

How Do General Manager Public Works 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 General Manager Public Works. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $161,934.
  • California: $161,319.
  • Massachusetts: $159,169.

Top Paying Cities for General Manager Public Works

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: $184,471
  • San Francisco: $182,452
  • Oakland: $178,607

What Skills Can Increase a General Manager Public Works's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Initiative (Mentioned in 7.01% Job Postings): Taking decisive action and initiating plans independently to address problems, improve professional life, and achieve goals.
  • Community Relations (Mentioned in 1.5% Job Postings): Creating, managing, and establishing a good and beneficial relationship with the communities to promote the welfare of the community.
  • Community Engagement (Mentioned in 1% Job Postings): Community engagement seeks to engage community to achieve sustainable outcomes, equitable decision-making processes, and deepen relationships and trust between government organisations and communities.
Skills Demand Percentage
Initiative 7.01%
Community Relations 1.5%
Community Engagement 1%
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 General Manager Public Works's salary.

  • Business Development: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Financial Services: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Business Development $156,493
7%
Financial Services $155,030
6%
Insight $153,568
5%
Get Latest Data

General Manager Public Works Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Manager Public Works roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 95% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, General Manager Public Works positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Manager Public Works as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a General Manager Public Works

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$219,382$105.050%
Software & Networking$212,070$102.045%
MFG Durable$204,757$98.040%
Internet$190,132$91.030%
Hospitality & Leisure$182,819$88.025%

How Education impacts a General Manager Public Works's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many General Manager Public Works 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 General Manager Public Works with a Bachelor's Degree is between $140,258 and $152,280).

General Manager Public Works Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for General Manager Public Works
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.0%
High School 3.0%
Associates 0.8%
Bachelors 34.8%
Masters 37.1%
Doctorate 24.2%
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General Manager Public Works Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a General Manager Public Works'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
$128,298
Average $146,255/year
$158,400
$10,692
Average $12,188/month
$13,200
$2,467
Average $2,813/week
$3,046
$62
Average $70/hour
$76
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $158,400 $13,200 $3,046 $76
Average $146,255 $12,188 $2,813 $70
25th Percentile $128,298 $10,692 $2,467 $62

Most common benefits for General Manager Public Works

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

Common company salaries for General Manager Public Works

Here are companies hiring for General Manager Public Works and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about General Manager Public Works

1. What industry pays the highest salary for General Manager Public Works?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for General Manager Public Works 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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