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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Director in South Dakota is $156,466 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $75.
However, a Project Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Project Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $172,406 | $14,367 | $3,315 | $83 |
| Average | $156,466 | $13,039 | $3,009 | $75 |
| 25th Percentile | $144,228 | $12,019 | $2,774 | $69 |
National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory - NEWCOMB HALL, VA
Mercy - MANCHESTER, MO
Kaiser Permanente - COUNTRY PARK ACRES, NC
A Project Director'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 Project Director'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 |
|---|---|
| Project M... Level Project Director | $118,371 |
| Project M... Level Project Director | $139,597 |
| Project M... Level Project Director | $99,585 |
| Project M... Level Project Director | $133,234 |
| Project D... Level Project Director | $155,294 |
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 Project Directors. 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 Project Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Telecom and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Project Director positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telecom | $195,583 | $94.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $187,760 | $90.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $179,936 | $87.0 | 15% |
| Chemicals | $172,113 | $83.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $172,113 | $83.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Project Director'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 | $172,406 | $14,367 | $3,315 | $83 |
| Average | $156,466 | $13,039 | $3,009 | $75 |
| 25th Percentile | $144,228 | $12,019 | $2,774 | $69 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Project Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Piedmont Healthcare
BOGART, GA
Mercy
ARNOLD, MO
Piedmont Healthcare
AUGUSTA, GA
Wake County Public School System
WILDERS GROVE, NC
ManTech International
LAUREL, MD
ManTech International | LAUREL, MD
ManTech International seeks a Project Close Out Manager to lead end‑of‑project activities for IT programs supporting U.S. federal and national security cus... more
7 Days Ago
Lutheran Social Services of WI & UP MI
MEQUON, WI
Lutheran Social Services of WI & UP MI | MEQUON, WI
Lutheran Social Services of WI & UP MI seeks a detail-oriented Project Accountant to support finance, accounting, and administration for our nonprofit prog... more
17 Days Ago
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