Rail Project Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Rail Project Manager in the United States is $117,333 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $139,595
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,300 to $128,986
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $100,076
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View as table View as graph 25% $108,300 10% $100,076 90% $139,595 75% $128,986 $117,333 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Rail Project Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $128,986 $10,749 $2,481 $62
Average $117,333 $9,778 $2,256 $56
25th Percentile $108,300 $9,025 $2,083 $52
Check out Rail Project Manager Job Openings in the United States
Project Manager

Manifest Solutions - Columbus, OH

Project Manager

Miles-McClellan Construction - Columbus, OH

Project Manager

ComResource - Columbus, OH

Project Manager

Limbach Company LLC - Columbus, OH

Search More Rail Project Manager Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Rail Project Manager Salaries

A Rail 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 Rail Project Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Rail 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): $100,626
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $126,236
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $116,476
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $145,181
  • Expert (over 8 years): $199,749
Levels Salary
Project C... Level Rail Project Manager$100,626
Project C... Level Rail Project Manager$126,236
Rail Proj... Level Rail Project Manager$116,476
Project M... Level Rail Project Manager$145,181
Project D... Level Rail Project Manager$199,749
$100,626 0 yr
$126,236 < 2 yrs
$116,476 2-4 yrs
$145,181 5-8 yrs
$199,749 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Rail 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 Rail Project Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $129,911.
  • California: $129,418.
  • Massachusetts: $127,694.

Top Paying Cities for Rail 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: $147,992
  • San Francisco: $146,372
  • Oakland: $143,287

What Skills Can Increase a Rail Project Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 20.62% 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.
  • Procurement (Mentioned in 1.22% Job Postings): Procurement is the process of finding and agreeing to terms, and acquiring goods, services, or works from an external source, often via a tendering or competitive bidding process. Procurement is used to ensure the buyer receives goods, services, or works at the best possible price when aspects such as quality, quantity, time, and location are compared. Corporations and public bodies often define processes intended to promote fair and open competition for their business while minimizing risks such as exposure to fraud and collusion. Almost all purchasing decisions include factors such as delivery and handling, marginal benefit, and price fluctuations. Procurement generally involves making buying decisions under conditions of scarcity. If sound data is available, it is good practice to make use of economic analysis methods such as cost-benefit analysis or cost-utility analysis.
  • Project Planning (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Project planning is part of project management, which relates to the use of schedules such as Gantt charts to plan and subsequently report progress within the project environment. Project planning can be done manually or by the use of project management software.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 20.62%
Procurement 1.22%
Project Planning 1.03%
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 Rail Project Manager's salary.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Project Delivery: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Program Management
$123,200
5%
Project Delivery
$122,026
4%
Collaboration
$120,853
3%
Change Management
$120,853
3%
Process Improvement
$120,853
3%
Leadership
$120,853
3%
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Rail Project Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Rail Project Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Rail Project Manager positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Rail Project Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Rail Project Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$146,666$71.025%
Biotechnology$140,800$68.020%
Software & Networking$140,800$68.020%
Pharmaceuticals$138,453$67.018%
Healthcare$134,933$65.015%

How Education impacts a Rail Project Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Rail Project Managers enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Rail Project Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $112,709 and $121,043).

Rail Project Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Rail Project Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 17.3%
Associates 10.0%
Bachelors 55.7%
Masters 15.7%
Doctorate 0.5%
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Rail Project Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Rail 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

Salary Trends for Rail Project Manager

Salaries for a Rail Project Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $91,812 in 2023 to around $91,670 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Rail Project Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Rail Project Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$91,812
2024
$91,881
2025
$91,670
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $91,812
2024 $91,881
2025 $91,670
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Rail Project Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Rail Project Manager

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

Find Your Next Rail Project Manager Job

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

United States
  • Green Key Resources

    Columbus, OH

    Green Key Resources | Columbus, OH

    Construction Project Manager | Columbus, OH. This is an opportunity to join a reputable builder with a strong pipeline of work across commercial, education... more

    4 Days Ago

  • GH Engage

    Columbus, OH

    GH Engage | Columbus, OH

    Owner’s Representative – Data Centre Construction. We are seeking an experienced. Owner’s Representative / Project Manager. to take a leading role in the d... more

    4 Days Ago

  • CESO, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    CESO, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Are you a Project Manager in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction field seeking purpose, challenge, and talent... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Create Salon Collective

    Columbus, OH

    Create Salon Collective | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Position Description: The Opportunity:This role is a fantastic opportunity to use your detail orientation and project man... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Churchill

    Columbus, OH

    Churchill | Columbus, OH

    About the Company. Churchill is seeking a Project Manager to support hyper-scale data center design and construction projects on behalf of a Fortune 100 te... more

    6 Days Ago

  • FirstOption Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    FirstOption Staffing | Columbus, OH

    As identified and assigned What We Are Looking For. High school diploma or GED with experience required, associate or bachelors degree preferred. Certified... more

    6 Days Ago

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FAQ about Rail Project Manager

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

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Rail 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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