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Publications Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Publications Manager make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Publications Manager in the United States is $134,496 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $164,255
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,145 to $150,073
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,079
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Publications Manager Salaries

A Publications 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 Publications Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Publications 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): $94,479
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $108,357
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $101,875
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $118,179
  • Expert (over 8 years): $135,493
Levels Salary
Communica... Level Publications Manager$94,479
Communica... Level Publications Manager$108,357
Communica... Level Publications Manager$101,875
Communica... Level Publications Manager$118,179
Publicati... Level Publications Manager$135,493
View as Graph

How Do Publications 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 Publications Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $148,914.
  • California: $148,349.
  • Massachusetts: $146,372.

Top Paying Cities for Publications 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: $169,640
  • San Francisco: $167,782
  • Oakland: $164,247

What Skills Can Increase a Publications Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 7.14% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Public Service (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): A public service is any service intended to address specific needs pertaining to the aggregate members of a community. Improving the health of a population as opposed to the private sector.
  • Direct Mail (Mentioned in 1.15% Job Postings): Direct mail is a form of marketing that involves sending a physical piece of promotional material through the U.S. Postal Service or other courier service to a home or business. Some recipients refer to it as junk mail.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.14%
Public Service 1.61%
Direct Mail 1.15%
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 Publications Manager's salary.

  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Work Under Pressure: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Medical Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment $164,085
22%
Work Under Pressure $156,015
16%
Medical Communications $154,670
15%
Get Latest Data

Publications Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Publications Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Publications Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Publications Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Publications Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$161,395$78.020%
Biotechnology$154,670$74.015%
Software & Networking$154,670$74.015%
Aerospace & Defense$147,946$71.010%
Energy & Utilities$147,946$71.010%

How Education impacts a Publications Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Publications Managers 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 Publications Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $136,997 and $148,930).

Publications Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Publications Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 11.3%
Associates 7.5%
Bachelors 53.8%
Masters 25.5%
Doctorate 0.9%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Publications 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 October 01, 2026
$120,145
Average $134,496/year
$150,073
$10,012
Average $11,208/month
$12,506
$2,310
Average $2,586/week
$2,886
$58
Average $65/hour
$72
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $150,073 $12,506 $2,886 $72
Average $134,496 $11,208 $2,586 $65
25th Percentile $120,145 $10,012 $2,310 $58

Most common benefits for Publications Manager

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

Common company salaries for Publications Manager

Here are companies hiring for Publications Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Publications Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Publications Manager?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Publications Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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