Project Director Salary in Washington

How much does a Project Director make in Washington?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Director in Washington is $186,682 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $90.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $223,014
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $172,081 to $205,699
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $158,787
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
Recruit with AI
View as table View as graph 25% $172,081 10% $158,787 90% $223,014 75% $205,699 $186,682 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Project Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $205,699 $17,142 $3,956 $99
Average $186,682 $15,557 $3,590 $90
25th Percentile $172,081 $14,340 $3,309 $83
Check out Project Director Job Openings in Washington
Project Director

CONCRETE STRATEGIES - Marysville, WA

Project Director

Career TEAM - Everett, WA

Project Director

HNTB - Seattle, WA

Construction Project Director

BluSky Restoration - Seattle, WA

Search More Project Director Jobs in Washington

Key Factors That Influence Project Director Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Project Director Salaries?

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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $141,229
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $166,555
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $118,816
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $158,964
  • Expert (over 8 years): $185,284
Levels Salary
Project M... Level Project Director$141,229
Project M... Level Project Director$166,555
Project M... Level Project Director$118,816
Project M... Level Project Director$158,964
Project D... Level Project Director$185,284
$141,229 0 yr
$166,555 < 2 yrs
$118,816 2-4 yrs
$158,964 5-8 yrs
$185,284 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Project Directors

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:

  • Auburn: $186,453
  • Federal Way: $186,372
  • Bellevue: $190,203

Project Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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.

The top paying industries for a Project Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Telecom$233,352$112.025%
Energy & Utilities$224,018$108.020%
Aerospace & Defense$214,684$103.015%
Chemicals$205,350$99.010%
Financial Services$205,350$99.010%

Project Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Project Director Job

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.

United States
  • Confidential

    Seattle, WA

    Confidential | Seattle, WA

    Senior Director of Project Execution. About the Company. Organization focused on successful project delivery within budget and timelines. Industry. Renewab... more

    9 Days Ago

  • SERVPRO Team Friermuth

    Tacoma, WA

    SERVPRO Team Friermuth | Tacoma, WA

    Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. Health insurance. Paid time off. Vision insurance. 401(k). 401(k) matching. Dental insurance. About the Opportu... more

    9 Days Ago

  • HNTB

    Seattle, WA

    HNTB | Seattle, WA

    HNTB is seeking an Aviation Architecture Project Director – Terminal Planner in Seattle, WA. The candidate will lead large terminal planning efforts at sig... more

    6 Days Ago

  • WSP

    Seattle, WA

    WSP | Seattle, WA

    OverviewThis OpportunityWSP is currently initiating a search for a Federal Programs NAVFAC Project Director with the potential to work out of our office in... more

    8 Days Ago

  • SketchDeck

    Seattle, WA

    SketchDeck | Seattle, WA

    A dynamic creative agency is seeking a Project Director to lead high-value creative programs and manage client relationships effectively.This senior role i... more

    10 Days Ago

  • National Radio Astronomy Observatory

    NEWCOMB HALL, VA

    National Radio Astronomy Observatory | NEWCOMB HALL, VA

    National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: ALMA2040 Project Director Location: NRAO Headquarters, 520 Edgemont Rd, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, United State... more

    15 Days Ago

For Employees

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.

For Employers

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.

Cost of Living In Washington

Cost of Living in Washington is
8.4% Higher
than the National Average

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 Calculator
Empower Your Team

Salary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.

Find Salary.com Comp Consulting
See Salary Trends in 2025

Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.

Price Your Company Jobs and Make Pay Fair

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst