How Much Do Program Managers Earn in the US?

Program Manager Salaries in USA

We’re examining how various job sites report salaries to answer the question, “How much do program managers make in the US?” Each site tells a different story because no one site has a complete picture of national salaries, relying instead on sources such as employee feedback or job postings. Ultimately, these are all estimates.

When considering total compensation (e.g., base pay, bonuses, incentives, profit sharing, etc.), the picture changes. For example, Glassdoor reports that project managers may earn an additional $22-$41K per year.

Salaries by Experience Level

The more experienced you are, the better the compensation. Here’s a breakdown of salaries reported by Glassdoor.

Salaries by Location

Salaries by US Cities and Metros

Here’s a breakdown of the top-paying US cities as shown by Indeed.

State Breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of the twelve top-paying states, as shown by Talent.com.

Additionally, ZipRecruiter reports that remote program managers earn about $107,460

Salaries by Industry

Different industries approach program management differently, including the importance they place on it, budget allocation, and other key considerations. Glassdoor reports the following best-paying industries:

• Aerospace & Defense: $157,104
• Financial Services: $154,210
• Energy, Mining, and Utilities: $150,760
• Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology: $150,728
• Construction, Repair, and Maintenance Services: $144,369

Technical Program Manager (TPM) vs. Program Manager (PM)

IT terminology can be tricky, with many terms overlapping or being used interchangeably. Let’s pause here and examine the differences between a technical program manager and a “regular” PM.

PMs are responsible for a series of related projects created to achieve the company’s strategic business goals. PMs focus on the program’s "what" and "why.” On the other hand, TPMs perform the same role but for more technically complex projects.

TPMs provide a deeper understanding of the "how" to ensure a project’s technical feasibility and efficient execution by engineering teams. A TPM possesses technical depth and actively participates in the engineering process. In contrast, the standard PM typically manages non-technical initiatives and employs a broader, less detailed approach to the technical aspects.

Whereas Indeed shows the average PM salary in the US to be $91,127, a technical program manager salary is about $149,930. Thus, due to its more complex, technical, and hands-on role, TPMs earn better compensation in the long run.

Fun Fact: A Program Manager is often the organization's "Strategic Glue." Their role is not just about completing tasks, but ensuring that all projects in their program align directly with the company's highest strategic goals.

Program Manager vs. Project Manager Salaries

We’ve discussed project managers at length, so let’s do a direct comparison of both roles in an easier-to-read format.

Additional Pay Components

The base salary may be the first thing that catches an applicant’s attention, but it’s the additional compensation perks that can truly seal the deal. Let’s see how Payscale breaks down its total compensation/additional pay components.

• Base Salary: $84K - $168K
• Bonuses: $3K - $25K
• Profit-sharing: $2K - $31K
• Total pay package: $86K - $181K

How to Increase Your Salary

No matter how sweet that initial compensation is, there’s always room for improvement. Here are some strategies you can employ to increase your salary:

1. Learn specialized skills: Technical skills like cloud infrastructure, DevOps, software development, or data science can command a higher salary, especially in technical program management roles. Round out these skills with improved budgeting, vendor management, and communication skills.

2. Earn certifications: Certifications like Program Management Professional (PgMP®), Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®), or Project Management Professional (PMP®) verify your expertise and may result in higher salaries. Look into online courses to help you.

3. Acquire expertise and additional responsibilities: Look for opportunities to lead more extensive and complex programs, since these often lead to greater visibility and better compensation. Go beyond your standard duties, exceed performance expectations, and take on more responsibility to demonstrate your value. 

4. Do your research: A well-informed negotiator is a force to be reckoned with. Leverage market data, make comparisons, and take note of what’s out there.

5. Focus on higher-paying industries: Find positions in high-paying sectors such as technology, finance, and aerospace.

6. Consider changing your location: If you move to a city with a higher cost of living, such as New York or San Francisco, you may increase your earning potential.

7. Become an effective negotiator: Practice hypothetical salary negotiations, especially if you’re planning on moving to a new company. Develop a strong professional network and make good contacts to find better-paying opportunities. 

8. Document your successes: Resumes and CVs aren’t enough. Create a personal professional portfolio and clearly document your successes and how you achieved them, demonstrating your value.

Gain Skills to Master Program Management

If you’re considering a career as a program manager, lay down some effective groundwork by gaining certification in some industry-appropriate skill sets. Candidates with skills and expertise have a distinct advantage over the rest of the pack.

The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM®) Certification Training course is an immersive program that provides core Scrum Master knowledge in areas such as framework application, event facilitation, event planning and delivery, team coaching, and more.

Additionally, the PMP® Certification Training course covers new industry trends, emerging practices, tailoring considerations, and core competencies that every Project Management professional needs. You will learn about Gantt charts, resource allocation, cost management, work breakdown structures, and a lot more.

These two valuable courses are key tools for enriching your current career or helping you transition into this exciting new role.

FAQs

1. Is a program manager a high-paying job in the US?

Yes, PMs earn better-than-average salaries in the United States, with some earning between $91,000 and $156,000. 

2. What is the average PM salary?

Payscale reports that a program manager’s salary in the US is about $128,254.

3. Which states pay program managers the most?

The top five best-paying states are:

• California
• New Jersey
• New York
• Washington
• Virginia

4. Do program managers get equity?

Yes, many PMs are eligible for equity (e.g., stock options or Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), especially in startups or private companies, or often as an element of a larger total compensation package offered by larger, publicly traded companies such as Amazon or Microsoft.

5. What’s the difference between TPM and PM salaries?

Indeed indicates that the average PM salary in the US is $91,127, while TPMs earn a base salary of approximately $149,930. 

6. How much do senior program managers earn?

Glassdoor reports that senior PM salaries range from $162,000 to $250,000.

7. Which industries pay PMs the best?

Here’s a breakdown of program manager salaries by industry:

• Aerospace & Defense: $157,104 per year
• Financial Services: $154,210 per year
• Energy, Mining, and Utilities: $150,760 per year
• Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology: $150,728 per year
• Construction, Repair, and Maintenance Services: $144,369 per year

8. What does an entry-level program manager's salary look like?

Glassdoor shows that entry-level PMs earn a range between $88,000 and $146,000.

9. How do salaries for program managers compare to those of project managers?

Program managers earn more than project managers, since they oversee multiple projects. Their salaries range from $91,000 to $156,000, while project manager salaries range from $80,000 to $130,000.

10. How can I negotiate a higher base pay?

Follow these program manager salary negotiation tips:

• Learn specialized skills 
• Earn certifications
• Acquire experience and additional responsibilities 
• Do your research
• Focus on higher-paying industries
• Consider changing your location
• Become an effective negotiator
• Document your successes