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Software Project Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Project Manager in the United States is $114,923 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $134,070
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $102,217 to $124,945
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,649
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Project Manager Salaries

A Software 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 Software Project Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software 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): $74,650
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,306
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $114,186
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $128,615
  • Expert (over 8 years): $151,679
Levels Salary
Project M... Level Software Project Manager$74,650
Project M... Level Software Project Manager$93,306
Software ... Level Software Project Manager$114,186
Project M... Level Software Project Manager$128,615
Project M... Level Software Project Manager$151,679
View as Graph

How Do Software 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 Software Project Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $127,243.
  • California: $126,760.
  • Massachusetts: $125,071.

Top Paying Cities for Software 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: $144,952
  • San Francisco: $143,365
  • Oakland: $140,344

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 20.54% 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.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.27% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
  • Quality Control (Mentioned in 1.01% Job Postings): Developing and implementing a set of procedures intended to maintain the quality of a product and reduce any risks or errors.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 20.54%
PowerPoint 1.27%
Quality Control 1.01%
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 Software Project Manager's salary.

  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Scrum: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Project Delivery: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Agile $120,669
5%
Scrum $120,669
5%
Project Delivery $119,520
4%
Get Latest Data

Software Project Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Project Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Project Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Project Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Project Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$137,908$66.020%
Pharmaceuticals$137,908$66.020%
Financial Services$132,161$64.015%
Software & Networking$132,161$64.015%
Biotechnology$126,415$61.010%

How Education impacts a Software Project Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Project Managers enter the field with a Associate'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 Software Project Manager with a Associate's Degree is between $108,444 and $115,598).

Software Project Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Project Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 5.7%
Associates 4.1%
Bachelors 42.2%
Masters 44.4%
Doctorate 3.4%
View as Graph

Software Project Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software 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 September 01, 2026
$102,217
Average $114,923/year
$124,945
$8,518
Average $9,577/month
$10,412
$1,966
Average $2,210/week
$2,403
$49
Average $55/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $124,945 $10,412 $2,403 $60
Average $114,923 $9,577 $2,210 $55
25th Percentile $102,217 $8,518 $1,966 $49

Most common benefits for Software Project Manager

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

Common company salaries for Software Project Manager

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

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FAQ about Software Project Manager

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

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Project Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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