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Strategic Communications Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Strategic Communications Manager make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Strategic Communications Manager in the United States is $125,102 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $144,950
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $113,137 to $135,491
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $102,243
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Strategic Communications Manager Salaries

A Strategic Communications 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 Strategic Communications Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Strategic Communications 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): $119,699
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $156,079
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $124,338
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $183,757
  • Expert (over 8 years): $247,218
Levels Salary
Communica... Level Strategic Communications Manager$119,699
Communica... Level Strategic Communications Manager$156,079
Strategic... Level Strategic Communications Manager$124,338
Communica... Level Strategic Communications Manager$183,757
VP of Com... Level Strategic Communications Manager$247,218
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How Do Strategic Communications 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 Strategic Communications Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $138,513.
  • California: $137,988.
  • Massachusetts: $136,149.

Top Paying Cities for Strategic Communications 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: $157,791
  • San Francisco: $156,063
  • Oakland: $152,775

What Skills Can Increase a Strategic Communications Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 7.72% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Strategic Communication (Mentioned in 3.02% Job Postings): Strategic communication refers to policy-making and guidance for consistent information activity within an organization and between organizations.
  • Executive Communications (Mentioned in 1.24% Job Postings): Exchanging of information between leadership, senior management, or an executive team, and employees in an organization.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 7.72%
Strategic Communication 3.02%
Executive Communications 1.24%
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 Strategic Communications Manager's salary.

  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Executive Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Employee Engagement: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting $136,361
9%
Executive Communications $131,357
5%
Employee Engagement $130,106
4%
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Strategic Communications Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Strategic Communications Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 113% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 80% above the average. In contrast, Strategic Communications Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Strategic Communications Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Strategic Communications Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$225,184$108.080%
Internet$200,163$96.060%
Financial Services$175,143$84.040%
Biotechnology$162,633$78.030%
Pharmaceuticals$156,378$75.025%

How Education impacts a Strategic Communications Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Strategic Communications 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 Strategic Communications Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $121,712 and $129,458).

Strategic Communications Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Strategic Communications Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 2.4%
Associates 1.9%
Bachelors 59.8%
Masters 34.5%
Doctorate 0.9%
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Strategic Communications Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Strategic Communications 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 October 01, 2026
$113,137
Average $125,102/year
$135,491
$9,428
Average $10,425/month
$11,291
$2,176
Average $2,406/week
$2,606
$54
Average $60/hour
$65
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $135,491 $11,291 $2,606 $65
Average $125,102 $10,425 $2,406 $60
25th Percentile $113,137 $9,428 $2,176 $54

Most common benefits for Strategic Communications Manager

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

Common company salaries for Strategic Communications Manager

Here are companies hiring for Strategic Communications Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Strategic Communications Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Strategic Communications Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Strategic Communications Manager roles, with salaries approximately 80% 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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