How Much Does a Product Line Manager Make? (2025)
Understanding the product line manager salary is important for employers and job candidates. As of October 2025, the average annual salary for product line manager in the United States is $111,501 per year, or approximately $54 per hour, according to recent data.
This salary guide explores the role of a product line manager, including job responsibilities, earnings, and factors influencing income, such as location, experience, and specialized knowledge.
What Does a Product Line Manager Do?
Product line manager oversees manufacturing operations, ensuring production goals are met efficiently, safely, and within budget.
Responsibilities include:
- Oversee production operations to ensure volume, cost, waste, and quality standards are met
- Follow production schedules to manage staffing and set daily/shift production goals
- Monitor shift metrics to identify and resolve issues, and drive process improvements
- Coordinate maintenance, turnarounds, and downtime to optimize efficiency and speed
- Ensure staff training, equipment, and tools meet health and safety requirements
- Coach teams on best practices for a safe and productive work environment
- Address and resolve escalated production problems and concerns
- Supervise and support staff in their daily job performance
- Ensure department goals and project milestones are achieved within budget
- Hold full authority over personnel actions and staffing decisions
According to Salary.com, this position usually requires a bachelor's degree, five years of industry experience, one to three years of supervisory experience, and solid knowledge of production processes and safety standards.
What is Product Line Manager Overview?
As mentioned above, the product line manager average salary in the United States is $111,501 per year or $54 per hour, as of October 2025.
Based on our data, the product line manager salary is between $88,194 to $140,158 per year, with most earning reported between $99,301 and $126,501. The product line manager salary per month is $9,292.
Moreover, a product line manager often earns an average of $54 per hour, with hourly rates ranging from $42 to $67. The average weekly product line manager salary is $2,144, with pay ranging from $1,696 to $2,695.
2025 Product Line Manager Average Salary: $111,501 per year ($54 per hour)
Meanwhile, the core median product line manager salary is $192,008 per year. This includes salary and bonuses and varies depending on the percentile.
The average total product line manager salary, including bonuses, is $192,008, according to our report. The total compensation package for the job title includes benefits like healthcare ($8,352), time off ($17,182), and Social Security ($10,679), which make up 18.8% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $111,501 | 58.1% |
| Bonus | $28,100 | 14.6% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Median | % of Total | |
| Social Security | $10,679 | 5.6% |
| 401K/403B | $5,863 | 3.1% |
| Disability | $2,792 | 1.5% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 4.3% |
| Pension | $7,538 | 3.9% |
| Time Off | $17,182 | 8.9% |
| Total Compensation | $192,008 | 100% |
This data highlights the competitive salaries and benefits offered by companies in the industry, making product line manager jobs highly attractive. In sales-driven environments, these roles can be even more rewarding.
What Can Affect Product Line Manager Salaries?
The salary of product line manager varies based on factors such as experience, geographical location, and skills. Here's a breakdown of these key factors:
By Experience Level
According to Salary.com, product line managers with less than one year of experience earn an average salary of $107,086 per year. In contrast, those with eight or more years of experience can expect to earn an average of $115,534 per year. More years of experience typically lead to higher salaries.
Product line manager with a strong track record earns more as they develop expertise:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Product Line Manager | $107,086 |
| Intermediate Level Product Line Manager | $107,628 |
| Senior Level Product Line Manager | $109,434 |
| Specialist Level Product Line Manager | $111,601 |
| Expert Level Product Line Manager | $115,534 |
By Geographic Location
Apart from experience level, the salary of product line manager in the United States also varies by location, influenced by factors such as cost of living, local economy, and industry presence.
For example, among major cities in the United States, San Jose has the highest average salary at $140,601 per year, while Miami and Dallas report lower median salaries of $107,101 and $110,101 per year, respectively. Other highest paying cities include San Francisco, CA ($139,201) and New York, NY ($129,201).
| City | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $125,201 | $140,601 | $159,501 |
| San Francisco, California | $124,001 | $139,201 | $157,901 |
| Washington, D.C. | $109,901 | $123,401 | $140,001 |
| Miami, Florida | $95,401 | $107,101 | $121,501 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $102,601 | $115,201 | $130,701 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $110,701 | $124,301 | $141,101 |
| New York, NY | $115,001 | $129,201 | $146,601 |
| Dallas, Texas | $98,001 | $110,101 | $124,901 |
By Skills
High-demand skills drive salary increases for product line managers. Our Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that those with Safety Policies and Procedures skills see a salary increase of +8.09%, while those with Instrumentation and Control skills see an increase of +8.05%. The demand for these skills is both 10.60%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Policies and Procedures | 10.60% | +8.09% |
| Instrumentation and Control | 10.60% | +8.05% |
| Make to Order | 10.80% | +8.04% |
| Manufacturing Standards | 10.80% | +8.04% |
| Just-in-Time (JIT) | 10.70% | +8.04% |
| Work Order Scheduling | 10.50% | +8.04% |
How to Become a Product Line Manager?
Starting a career as a product line manager involves a combination of formal education, technical skills, hands-on experience, and continuous learning. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started in this fast-growing field:
- Complete your education: Many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing management, or business administration, but hands-on experience with manufacturing processes and safety policies is equally valuable. Technical certifications in production management also strengthen your expertise.
- Earn certifications: Consider certifications or formal training that focus on manufacturing standards, production scheduling, and quality control systems. These demonstrate your commitment to industry best practices and can contribute to career advancement.
- Gain practical experience: Work as a production coordinator, manufacturing technician, or scheduling analyst to gain hands-on experience with work order scheduling, production planning, and safety procedures. This experience is key to understanding daily product line management challenges.
- Develop essential skills: Start by gaining a solid understanding of key industry skills such as Safety Policies and Procedures, Instrumentation and Control, Make to Order, Manufacturing Standards, and Just-in-Time (JIT) production. These competencies are crucial in managing product lines efficiently and safely.
- Advance your career: With experience and skill development, you can enter senior roles. Continued learning supports salary growth and keeps you aligned with industry trends. Today, it's easier than ever to search for and enter jobs worth pursuing that many professionals love and find rewarding.
What are the FAQs about Product Line Manager?
Here are some common questions about product line manager salary:
Is product line manager a good job?
Yes, a product line manager is a good job, especially in industries focused on manufacturing and production where skills like safety policies, manufacturing standards, and just-in-time processes are highly valued. The role offers strong career growth opportunities, and a salary increase potential of around 8%, reflecting its demand and importance.
What skills do you need to be a product line manager?
Key skills for a product line manager include knowledge of safety policies and procedures, instrumentation and control, manufacturing standards, make-to-order processes, just-in-time (JIT) production, and work order scheduling. These skills are critical to efficiently managing production lines, ensuring safety, and optimizing manufacturing workflows.
How do additional certifications impact salary?
Additional certifications related to manufacturing standards, production scheduling, or quality control can significantly enhance product line manager's credentials. According to the data, mastering relevant skills through certifications can contribute to a salary increase of over 8%, highlighting their value in career advancement and earning potential.
