Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Program Manager III in California is $157,594 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $76.
However, a Program Manager III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered HR
Program Manager III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $174,962 | $14,580 | $3,365 | $84 |
| Average | $157,594 | $13,133 | $3,031 | $76 |
| 25th Percentile | $142,839 | $11,903 | $2,747 | $69 |
Kaiser Permanente - San Diego, CA
Pinnacle Group - Cupertino, CA
Akkodis - Cupertino, CA
ACL Digital - San Jose, CA
A Program Manager III'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 Program Manager III'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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Program Manager III | $153,495 |
| Intermediate Level Program Manager III | $154,110 |
| Senior Level Program Manager III | $155,135 |
| Specialist Level Program Manager III | $156,569 |
| Expert Level Program Manager III | $158,619 |
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 Program Manager IIIs. 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 Program Manager III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 68% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Program Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Program Manager III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $204,873 | $98.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $196,993 | $95.0 | 25% |
| Financial Services | $189,113 | $91.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $182,810 | $88.0 | 16% |
| Biotechnology | $181,234 | $87.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Program Manager III'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 | $174,962 | $14,580 | $3,365 | $84 |
| Average | $157,594 | $13,133 | $3,031 | $76 |
| 25th Percentile | $142,839 | $11,903 | $2,747 | $69 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Program Manager III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Kratos Unmanned Systems
Roseville, CA
Kratos Unmanned Systems | Roseville, CA
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., is a leading defense technology company focused on unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/wa... more
9 Days Ago
Akraya
Santa Clara, CA
Akraya | Santa Clara, CA
Primary Skills: CPQ Expert, CRM Knowledgeable, M&A Integration Proficient, Stakeholder Management Skilled, Programming FamiliarContract Type: W2Duration: 5... more
9 Days Ago
Special Service for Groups- APAIT
Los Angeles, CA
Special Service for Groups- APAIT | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. . Title. Clinical Program Manager III (Hollywood). Division. APAIT. FLSA. Exempt/Salary/Full-time (40 hrs./wk.). Salary R... more
8 Days Ago
Good Samaritan Family Resource Center of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Good Samaritan Family Resource Center of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. ExpL Program Manager: Bryant Elementary Beacon. Reports To. Bryant Elementary Beacon Director. Classific... more
11 Days Ago
Alan B. Miller Medical Center
Corona, CA
Alan B. Miller Medical Center | Corona, CA
Program Manager - OrthopedicsCome Join the Team. Program Manager/Orthopedics FT/DAYS Corona Regional Medical Center in Corona, CaThe Program Manager - Orth... more
9 Days Ago
Think Together
Whittier, CA
Think Together | Whittier, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Overview. Program Supervisor III. Founded in 1997, Think Together partners with schools to change the odds for kids by pr... more
8 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
