How Much Does a Program Manager Make? (2025)
With the U.S. BLS reporting a 6% increase in program managers' projected employment for the years of 2023 to 2023, the job is seeing a positive trend for the next decade. Salary.com's Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Report also reports more job postings for the job title as well, which directly corresponds with the government's data.
Salary.com has also reported that the average program manager salary is $95,810 per year in the United States as of October 3, 2025. Read this salary guide to get a more comprehensive overview of program managers, job descriptions, FAQs, and job expectations.
What Does a Program Manager Do?
A program manager for a non-profit organization is mostly responsible for scheduling, implementing, and running a non-profit organization's events. Additionally, they are also tasked with addressing concerns regarding financing, like coordinating with sponsors and vendors to make sure the event runs smoothly.
What is a Program Manager's Salary Overview?
The average salary for program managers in the United States in 2025 is $95,810 per year or $46 per hour, as of October 3, 2025.
Based on Salary.com salary data, the average salary for a program manager is between $76,629 to $112,690 per year, with most program manager salaries averaging from $85,770 and $68,790. The Program Manager's salary per month is $7,984.
The salary for a program manager is an average of $46 per hour, with an hourly Program Manager salary ranging from $37 to $62. The average weekly program manager's salary is $1,843, with weekly pay ranging from $1,474 to $2,463.
2025 Program Manager Average Salary: $95,810 per year ($46 per hour)
Meanwhile, the median program manager salary is $109,770 per year, including salary and bonuses, and varies depending on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,075 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,750 |
| 50th Percentile | $109,770 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $145,667 |
On the other hand, the overall program manager compensation in the US is $149,808, according to Salary.com report. The total compensation package includes benefits like healthcare ($6,056), time off ($13,510), and Social Security ($8,397), which make up 18.6% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $95,810 | 64.00% |
| Bonus | $13,960 | 9.30% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Median | % of Total | |
| Social Security | $8,397 | 5.60% |
| 401K/403B | $5,159 | 3.40% |
| Disability | $878 | 0.60% |
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 4.00% |
| Pension | $6,037 | 4.00% |
| Time Off | $13,510 | 9.00% |
What Can Affect a Program Manager's Salary?
Various factors such as experience level, geographic location, education, and skills can significantly influence the salary of a program manager. Below is a breakdown of key salary components:
By Experience Level
Salary.com data shows that entry-level program manager compensation - or those who have just joined their organization within the year - is $91,922. Those with more than 8 years of experience are considered experts, and the salary of a Program Manager at that level is $99,980.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Program Manager | $91,922 |
| Intermediate Level Program Manager | $92,381 |
| Senior Level Program Manager | $93,912 |
| Specialist Level Program Manager | $95,750 |
| Expert Level Program Manager | $99,980 |
By Geographic Location
Salary for program managers in the United States vary by geographic location due to key factors like cost of living, the local economy, and industry presence.
Among the hot cities in the United States, San Francisco, California is among the highest paying cities, with average salary for program managers being $119,660, while Dallas, TX, and Miami, FL, reflect lower average income for senior software engineers at $94,610 and $92,050 respectively.
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $107,120 | $119,660 | $140,740 |
| Washington, District of Colombia | $94,970 | $106,080 | $124,770 |
| Miami, Florida | $82,410 | $92,050 | $108,280 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $88,640 | $99,010 | $116,460 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $95,660 | $106,860 | $125,690 |
| New York, New York | $99,400 | $111,030 | $130,600 |
| Dallas, Texas | $84,700 | $94,610 | $111,290 |
By Skills
Since being a program manager requires having a bachelor's degree, most start at a similar level. However, The Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Report has suggested that having replenishing and ordering knowledge and inventory control skills can boost the salary of a program manager by 10.51% and 9.45%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Replenishment and Ordering | 10.50% | 10.51% |
| Inventory Control | 10.40% | 9.45% |
| Purchase Order Management | 10.50% | 9.03% |
| Material Handling | 10.50% | 8.85% |
| Data Entry | 10.40% | 8.82% |
| Forecasting | 10.70% | 8.34% |
How to Become a Program Manager?
To become a fully-fledged program manager, consider following these steps:
- Acquire a project management degree or similar: Acquiring a degree in project management or other related field is a must for individuals interested in becoming a program manager. However, those who finished a degree in business or individuals with enough project management experience can also apply for the role.
- Gain relevant experience: Gaining the needed experience through on-the-job training and internships can help aspiring program managers gain the experience needed to do their role effectively and efficiently along with teaching them much-needed skills.
- Create a strong portfolio: Having a strong portfolio of your past work can also help project managers have a better shot of acquiring the role. Additionally, a strong portfolio can also help them negotiate a higher salary moving forward.
What are FAQs about Program Manager?
Here are some of the common questions about a program manager's salary:
How much does a Program Manager earn on average?
Last updated on October 3, 2025, Salary.com reports that the salary for a program manager is $95,810 per year, or $46 per hour. This means that the average program manager earns $7,984 monthly. The highest salary for a Program Manager is $99,980 for an expert level.
What city is best for Program Managers?
According to the data above, the best city for program managers is San Francisco, California. This is because the average yearly salary for program managers in the city is $119,660.
What does a Program Manager do?
A program manager is mainly responsible for several important roles regarding a non-profit organization's programs, which may include the following:
- Ensure that the non-profit organization's programs run smoothly.
- Coordinate with vendors, sponsors, and staff to make sure that the program runs smoothly.
- Develop project plans for non-profit organizations that include everything from objective, funding, and staff schedule.
