Professional Project Manager Salary in California

How much does a Professional Project Manager make in California?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Professional Project Manager in California is $132,520 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $154,787
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,932 to $144,175
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $104,650
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View as table View as graph 25% $117,932 10% $104,650 90% $154,787 75% $144,175 $132,520 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Professional Project Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $144,175 $12,015 $2,773 $69
Average $132,520 $11,043 $2,548 $64
25th Percentile $117,932 $9,828 $2,268 $57
Check out Professional Project Manager Job Openings in California
Senior Professional Engineer Project Manager

TKDA - Riverside, CA

Project Mgr

Global Channel Management, Inc. - Culver City, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Professional Project Manager Salaries

A Professional 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.

How Experience Level Affects Professional Project Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Professional 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): $86,072
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $107,582
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $131,663
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $148,303
  • Expert (over 8 years): $174,897
Levels Salary
Project M... Level Professional Project Manager$86,072
Project M... Level Professional Project Manager$107,582
Professio... Level Professional Project Manager$131,663
Project M... Level Professional Project Manager$148,303
Project M... Level Professional Project Manager$174,897
$86,072 0 yr
$107,582 < 2 yrs
$131,663 2-4 yrs
$148,303 5-8 yrs
$174,897 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Professional 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:

  • Los Angeles: $132,748
  • West Hollywood: $132,652
  • Dodgertown: $132,747

Professional Project Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Professional 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, Professional Project Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Professional Project Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Professional Project Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$159,024$76.020%
Pharmaceuticals$159,024$76.020%
Financial Services$152,398$73.015%
Software & Networking$152,398$73.015%
Biotechnology$145,772$70.010%

Professional Project Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Professional 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 August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Professional Project Manager Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Professional Project Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Socotec

    Irvine, CA

    Socotec | Irvine, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. About SOCOTEC. SOCOTEC is a provider of niche consulting services within the architecture, engineeri... more

    3 Days Ago

  • JBW Federal

    Marina, CA

    JBW Federal | Marina, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. JBW Federal is a subsidiary company of the Kanaka Foundation - An NHO who's mission is to support Native Hawaiians.You wi... more

    4 Days Ago

  • 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

    3 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

    5 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

    5 Days Ago

  • PathPoint

    Los Angeles, CA

    PathPoint | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Do you enjoy teaching others and seeing them succeed. Are you passionate about empowering people with disabilities to ach... more

    3 Days Ago

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