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Software Development Project Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Development Project Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Development Project Manager in the United States is $97,380 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $111,597
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,063 to $104,822
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,670
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Development Project Manager Salaries

A Software Development 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 Software Development Project Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Development 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): $82,136
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $98,097
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $119,769
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $139,467
  • Expert (over 8 years): $155,172
Levels Salary
IT Projec... Level Software Development Project Manager$82,136
Software ... Level Software Development Project Manager$98,097
IT Projec... Level Software Development Project Manager$119,769
IT Projec... Level Software Development Project Manager$139,467
IT Projec... Level Software Development Project Manager$155,172
View as Graph

How Do Software Development 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 Software Development Project Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $107,820.
  • California: $107,411.
  • Massachusetts: $105,979.

Top Paying Cities for Software Development 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: $122,826
  • San Francisco: $121,481
  • Oakland: $118,921

What Skills Can Increase a Software Development Project Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 21.41% 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.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 1.23% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 1.02% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 21.41%
Scrum 1.23%
Billing 1.02%
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 Software Development Project Manager's salary.

  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Project Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Program Management $100,302
3%
Risk Management $99,328
2%
Project Planning $99,328
2%
Get Latest Data

Software Development Project Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Development 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 Biotechnology and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Software Development Project Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Development Project Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Development Project Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$121,726$59.025%
Insurance$116,856$56.020%
Energy & Utilities$111,987$54.015%
Internet$111,987$54.015%
Pharmaceuticals$111,987$54.015%

How Education impacts a Software Development Project Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Development 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 a Software Development Project Manager with a Associate's Degree is between $96,956 and $103,264).

Software Development Project Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Development Project Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 3.4%
Associates 5.4%
Bachelors 49.9%
Masters 40.0%
Doctorate 0.8%
View as Graph

Software Development Project Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Development 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
$87,063
Average $97,380/year
$104,822
$7,255
Average $8,115/month
$8,735
$1,674
Average $1,873/week
$2,016
$42
Average $47/hour
$50
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $104,822 $8,735 $2,016 $50
Average $97,380 $8,115 $1,873 $47
25th Percentile $87,063 $7,255 $1,674 $42

Most common benefits for Software Development Project Manager

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

Common company salaries for Software Development Project Manager

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

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FAQ about Software Development Project Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Development Project Manager?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Development Project Manager roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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