How Much Does a PMO Manager Make? (2025)
Project Management Office (PMO) managers manage and ensure that programs and projects of an organization meet business goals and requirements.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, project management specialists are relevant in insurance and finance industries, as well as in manufacturing, professional, scientific, and technical services. As of June 16, 2025, the average annual salary of PMO managers in the United States is $151,160.
Read this salary guide as we thoroughly discuss a PMO manager's roles and responsibilities, salary insights, factors that affect their compensation, and how to become one.
What Does a PMO Manager do?
PMO managers manage the daily activities in the project management office and supervise subordinate staff and the project team in their performance. They typically report to the PMO director.
Here is a list of the responsibilities that PMO managers do:
- Implement and guide in terms of PMO processes and policies
- Oversee the work and progress of the project management team
- Collaborate with department leaders to design projects and programs
- Coordinate budget and resource allocation, schedule, and other project details
- Communicate with clients to identify project goals and requirements
- Consult with project team to determine and solve issues
- Monitor project costs to stay within the budget
- Monitor project milestones and deliverables
- Propose, review, and approve modifications to project plans
- Use project management tools to streamline tasks and project delivery
What is PMO Manager Salary Overview?
As of June 16, 2025, the average salary for PMO manager in the United States is $151,160 per year. The range for PMO manager salary in the U.S. goes from $124,739 to $178,785, with earning mostly between $137,330 and $165,620.
The average monthly rate is $11,577 with a range from $9,661 to $14,218 while the average hourly rate is $67 with a range from $56 to $82.
2025 PMO Manager Salary: $151,160 per year ($67 per hour)
Depending on the percentile, a PMO manager's salary with bonus ranges from $132,874 to $198,326, with $163,670 as the average value.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $132,874 |
| 25th Percentile | $147,550 |
| 50th Percentile | $163,670 |
| 75th Percentile | $181,810 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,326 |
The average total compensation for PMO managers, including the core compensation and benefits, is $223,673. The median base salary for PMO managers makes up 62.1% of the total pay while benefits like social security, healthcare, and time off make up 18.3%.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $138,920 | 62.1% |
| Bonus | $24,750 | 11.1% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $12,521 | 5.6% |
| 401K/403B | $6,874 | 3.1% |
| Disability | $3,273 | 1.5% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 3.7% |
| Pension | $8,838 | 4.0% |
| Time Off | $20,144 | 9.0% |
| Total Compensation | $223,673 | 100% |
What Can Affect PMO Manager Salaries?
Several factors like experience level, geographic location, education, and skills can affect the salary for project management professionals like PMO managers. Here are the detailed effects of these factors in terms of annual compensation.
By Experience Level
The PMO manager’s salary increases as experience level advances. An entry-level PMO manager salary is $142,782 while an expert level with over 8 years of experience can expect $149,629 on average.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level PMO Manager | $142,782 |
| Intermediate Level PMO Manager | $143,429 |
| Senior Level PMO Manager | $144,937 |
| Specialist Level PMO Manager | $146,661 |
| Expert Level PMO Manager | $149,629 |
By Geographic Location
Key factors why geographic location affects salaries in the United States are the local economy, cost of living, and industry presence. Here are the hot cities in the US, where there are competitive PMO manager salaries:
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $155,777 | $188,790 | $223,274 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $152,050 | $167,370 | $183,370 |
| Miami, Florida | $131,940 | $145,240 | $159,130 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $141,910 | $156,210 | $171,150 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $153,160 | $168,590 | $184,710 |
| New York, New York | $159,150 | $175,180 | $191,930 |
| Dallas, Texas | $135,610 | $149,270 | $163,550 |
Based on the data by Salary.com, San Francisco has the most competitive pay among the hot cities, ranging from $155,777 to $223,274, while Miami has the least, with salaries ranging from $131,940 to $159,130.
By Skills
PMO managers with more acquired PMO skills receive higher salaries, especially those with competencies that meet higher demands.
Data from Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report suggests that for PMO managers, essential skills in financial management can give the highest pay increase at 6.78%, followed by stakeholder management at 6.05%.
Some important skills also include business operations, service delivery, business strategy, and change management.
| Skills | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Management | 4.19% | +6.78% |
| Stakeholder Management | 6.76% | +6.05% |
| Business Operations | 5.68% | +5.24% |
| Service Delivery | 5.47% | +5.22% |
| Business Strategy | 4.03% | +4.18% |
| Change Management | 19.68% | +3.67% |
By Education
In terms of education, PMO managers mostly have master's degrees at 51.0%, followed by those with bachelor’s degrees at 47.1%. Meanwhile, those with no diploma are at 2.0%.
| Degree Level | % of Users with This Level of Education |
|---|---|
| Master | 51.0% |
| Bachelor | 47.1% |
| No diploma | 2.0% |
How to Become a PMO Manager?
To become a PMO manager, one must have a bachelor’s degree in business, project management, or related fields. This position usually requires 5 years of prior experience in the related area as an individual contributor and 1 to 3 years of experience working in supervisory roles.
Some employers prefer those who have a degree in a technical field related to the industry they will work in, such as computer and information technology or engineering.
According to BLS, here are the relevant skills to become a PMO manager:
- Analytical skills: Able to understand large amounts of information and financial data.
- Technical skills: Able to navigate project management software.
- Communication skills: Can effectively convey information to staff, get input from clients and key stakeholders, and present project results.
- Critical-thinking skills: Able to assess goals and impact.
- Interpersonal skills: Can establish trust and good relationships with clients.
- Organizational skills: Can balance different responsibilities and oversee multiple projects at a time.
- Problem-solving skills: Able to handle difficulties and issues and come up with solutions.
- Time management skills: Can work under tight deadlines and efficiently use time to accomplish projects.
What are the FAQs about PMO Manager?
Here are some common questions about PMO manager salary:
Is PMO better than project manager?
The PMO manager job is better than project manager in terms of organizational hierarchy as PMO managers have broader responsibilities. Project managers report to the PMO and deliver specific projects with the project management standards and processes set by the PMO.
Experienced project managers can transition into PMO manager positions through seeking development opportunities and attaining professional certifications like PMO Certified Practitioner, Project Management Professional, or Program Management Professional.
Is PMO manager a good job?
Yes, being a PMO manager is a good job since it helps enhance your project management skills and project management practices, exposes you to senior executives and professional networks, and gain a better understanding of the organization through project management methodologies as PMO managers have an oversight across a company.
What is the highest position in PMO?
The highest position in PMO is usually the director of project management. The role supervises organizational planning and program management activities, including all executed company projects.
