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Project Management Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Project Management Specialist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Management Specialist in the United States is $133,179 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $157,524
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $126,223 to $145,922
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $119,890
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Project Management Specialist Salaries

A Project Management Specialist'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 Project Management Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Management Specialist'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): $96,985
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $115,613
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $132,242
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $155,172
  • Expert (over 8 years): $81,664
Levels Salary
Project E... Level Project Management Specialist$96,985
Project E... Level Project Management Specialist$115,613
Project M... Level Project Management Specialist$132,242
Project E... Level Project Management Specialist$155,172
Project E... Level Project Management Specialist$81,664
View as Graph

How Do Project Management Specialist 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 Project Management Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $147,456.
  • California: $146,896.
  • Massachusetts: $144,939.

Top Paying Cities for Project Management Specialists

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: $167,979
  • San Francisco: $166,139
  • Oakland: $162,638

What Skills Can Increase a Project Management Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 7.83% 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.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
  • Land Development (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): Land development is the alteration of landscape in any number of ways such as: Changing landforms from a natural or semi-natural state for a purpose
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 7.83%
Installation 2.71%
Land Development 1.46%
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 Project Management Specialist's salary.

  • CAD: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Hydraulics: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Civil Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CAD $143,833
8%
Hydraulics $142,502
7%
Civil Engineering $141,170
6%
Get Latest Data

Project Management Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Management Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Project Management Specialist positions in MFG Durable or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Management Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Management Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$186,451$90.040%
Aerospace & Defense$173,133$83.030%
Media$166,474$80.025%
Construction$159,815$77.020%
Insurance$153,156$74.015%

How Education impacts a Project Management Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Project Management Specialists enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Project Management Specialist with a No Diploma is between $130,619 and $138,337).

Project Management Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Project Management Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.6%
High School 33.3%
Associates 5.6%
Bachelors 33.3%
Masters 61.1%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Project Management Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Project Management Specialist'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
$126,223
Average $133,179/year
$145,922
$10,519
Average $11,098/month
$12,160
$2,427
Average $2,561/week
$2,806
$61
Average $64/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $145,922 $12,160 $2,806 $70
Average $133,179 $11,098 $2,561 $64
25th Percentile $126,223 $10,519 $2,427 $61

Most common benefits for Project Management Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Project Management Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Project Management Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Project Management Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Project Management Specialist?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Management Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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