Project managers (PMs) consistently earn above-average salaries across industries, and the field continues to grow. Whether you’re evaluating a career move or trying to understand where your current pay stands, this guide breaks down project management salaries by experience, industry, education and certification.
If you’re considering earning an advanced degree like the online MBA in Project Management from the University of Texas at Tyler, the sections below show where that investment tends to pay off. The figures are drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Project Management Institute (PMI) rather than self-reported job board estimates, so they hold up to scrutiny.
What Is the Average Project Management Salary?
The median annual wage for project management specialists is $100,750, according to May 2024 data from BLS. This is the national median across all experience levels, industries and geographies.
Total compensation for upper-level PM roles often exceeds the BLS median when factoring in bonuses, profit-sharing and performance pay. Results of the 2023 Earning Power survey published by the Project Management Institute (PMI) puts the U.S. annual median salary for PMs at $120,000 per year across its full sample of practitioners, a figure that reflects both base pay and the additional compensation many senior project managers earn.
How Does Experience Affect Project Management Salary?
Project management salary rises steadily with experience. PMI’s Earning Power survey shows that U.S. project professionals with less than three years of experience report a median annual salary of $80,000, while those with five to ten years earn a median of $110,000 per year. Professionals with 15 or more years of experience report an annual median between $140,000 and $150,000, depending on tenure.
Entry-level PM positions are commonly filled by professionals transitioning from roles such as project coordinator, business analyst or operations associate. These roles build the foundational skills that project managers use every day. The path to higher compensation is clear: experience, certification and advanced education each help contribute to measurable salary increases over the course of a career.
What Is the Project Manager Salary by Industry?
The industry you work in has a significant impact on PM salary levels. Technical and specialized sectors typically pay the most. According to BLS, median annual wages for project management specialists vary by industry as follows:
| Industry | Median Annual Wage |
| Finance and insurance | $111,350 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | $106,130 |
| Manufacturing | $101,920 |
| Administrative and support services | $97,100 |
| Construction | $96,700 |
Salaries for operations project managers and contract project managers vary widely based on organization size, scope of responsibility and sector. Finance, insurance and professional services tend to offer the highest base salaries, while construction and administrative roles sit closer to the national median.
How Does a Degree Affect Project Management Salary?
Project management salary data shows a premium for advanced training, mainly based on role rather than a flat percentage across the occupation. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry point, but PMI’s Earning Power survey shows that PM professionals who advance into program manager and portfolio manager roles report median salaries of $134,000 and $147,000 per year, well above the $85,000 to $120,000 range reported for project manager I through III positions.
An MBA can help accelerate advancement. UT Tyler’s online MBA in Project Management program combines business fundamentals in financial management, organizational leadership and strategic planning with project-specific coursework, positioning graduates for the senior and program-management roles where salaries are highest. The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction held by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide.
Salary data reflects degree level at the time of hiring. Candidates with graduate credentials are better positioned for higher-paying roles and quicker advancement.
How Much Does a PMP-Certified Project Manager Make?
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification impacts salary more than any other credential in the field. According to PMI’s 2023 salary survey, PMP holders in the U.S. earn a median annual salary of $135,000, compared with $109,157 for project managers without the certification, a difference of nearly 24%.
The premium grows with tenure: PMI’s salary survey showed respondents who were certified for more than ten years reported a median annual salary of $173,000, compared with $123,000 for those certified less than five years. The PMP certification salary advantage compounds with experience, and senior PMs who also hold a PMP consistently earn at the top of market ranges.
The PMP requires 35 hours of project management education as a prerequisite. The Project Management Certification course included in UT Tyler’s MBA program is built around the same Project Management Body of Knowledge the PMP exam covers, so students can work toward the credential while completing their degree.
What Is the Employment Outlook for Project Managers?
The employment outlook for project managers is strong. BLS projects 6% job growth from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average across all occupations, with approximately 78,200 new job openings per year. Growth is driven by demand in technology, construction, healthcare and professional services.
Project management careers offer upward mobility: project manager roles progress to senior PM, program manager and portfolio manager, each with a higher salary ceiling. PMI’s Earning Power survey shows that U.S. professionals managing teams of 20 or more report a median salary of $144,000 per year, compared with $106,000 for those managing teams of fewer than five.
Position Your Career for Increased Earning Potential With an Online MBA from UT Tyler
Project management professionals with a combination of graduate education and PMP certification typically qualify for upper-level roles sooner. UT Tyler’s 100% online, AACSB-accredited MBA in Project Management program covers both the business fundamentals and the project management frameworks that senior roles require.
Designed for working professionals looking to gain skills and credentials on a flexible schedule, the program features pay-by-the-course tuition, multiple start dates per year and can be completed in as few as 12 months. For a closer look at how project management processes are evolving, check out UT Tyler’s Top Trends and Innovations in Project Management.
Learn more about the online MBA in Project Management program and how it positions you for senior-level roles.
About UT Tyler’s Online MBA in Project Management Program
UT Tyler’s online MBA in Project Management program, offered by the Soules College of Business, equips students with a combination of traditional business management coursework and specialized competencies in career-relevant areas including the PMBOK framework and Agile practices. Graduates leave with both a business credential and direct preparation for PMP certification. The program’s multiple start dates each year and seven-week course terms are designed for working professionals who need to fit an MBA around a full-time job.
The University of Texas at Tyler is a public research university and member of the University of Texas System, located in Tyler, Texas. UT Tyler serves more than 11,500 students and offers more than 90 degree programs across its colleges of business, education, engineering and health sciences.
The Soules College of Business holds AACSB accreditation, a distinction earned by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide, and delivers graduate business programs fully online. UT Tyler’s online MBA program is included among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online MBA Programs for 2026, making it a strong choice for working professionals seeking a rigorous, career-focused degree.