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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Release Manager in California is $160,246 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $77.
However, a Release Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Release Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $168,783 | $14,065 | $3,246 | $81 |
| Average | $160,246 | $13,354 | $3,082 | $77 |
| 25th Percentile | $143,943 | $11,995 | $2,768 | $69 |
AVUM INC - Malibu, CA
C3 AI Inc. - Redwood City, CA
Omni Inclusive - Santa Clara, CA
Waymo - Mountain View, CA
A Release 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Release 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Release E... Level Release Manager | $106,945 |
| Release E... Level Release Manager | $132,428 |
| Release E... Level Release Manager | $149,890 |
| Release E... Level Release Manager | $185,131 |
| Release M... Level Release Manager | $159,618 |
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 Release Managers. 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 Release 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 Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Release Manager positions in Telecom or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Release Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $208,320 | $100.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $200,308 | $96.0 | 25% |
| Financial Services | $192,295 | $92.0 | 20% |
| Hospitality & Leisure | $184,283 | $89.0 | 15% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $179,476 | $86.0 | 12% |
Understanding how a Release 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $168,783 | $14,065 | $3,246 | $81 |
| Average | $160,246 | $13,354 | $3,082 | $77 |
| 25th Percentile | $143,943 | $11,995 | $2,768 | $69 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Release Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Air Apps
San Francisco, CA
Air Apps | San Francisco, CA
Release EngineerAt Air Apps, we believe in thinking biggerand moving faster. We're a family-founded company on a mission to create the world's first AI-pow... more
2 Days Ago
Zoox
Foster City, CA
Zoox | Foster City, CA
Job Description. Job Description. At Zoox, the release teams handle the complex orchestration of releases spanning vehicle, cloud, and client code bases. F... more
4 Days Ago
Zoox
San Diego, CA
Zoox | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. At Zoox, the release teams handle the complex orchestration of releases spanning vehicle, cloud, and client code bases. F... more
4 Days Ago
OpenAI
San Francisco, CA
OpenAI | San Francisco, CA
Release EngineerThe Release Engineer team is responsible for building and maintaining the systems that power software deliveryfrom CI/CD pipelines and arti... more
2 Days Ago
Network Optix
Walnut Creek, CA
Network Optix | Walnut Creek, CA
Release Engineering LeadNetwork Optix (Nx) is a global powerhouse in video software development, driven by a mission to empower the creation of intelligent... more
2 Days Ago
Omni Inclusive
Fountain Valley, CA
Omni Inclusive | Fountain Valley, CA
Mandatory Skills: SAFe Scaled Agile, Scrum, IterationAgile Framework Expertise:The RTE must be well-versed in Agile principles, frameworks, and processes. ... more
2 Days Ago
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