verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Project Manager Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$120,910/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$58.13/hr
▲ 18% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
114,380
public U.S. Median
$102,320
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$109,203 #10 of 51

Project Manager pay in California, explained

Project managers in California earn a median of $120,910 per year ($58.13 per hour), which is 18% above the national median of $102,320. Entry-level workers earn around $69,180, while the most experienced project managers reach about $188,560. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $120,910 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $120,910 is worth about $109,203 in national buying power — ranking California #10 for real pay (vs #5 on the sticker number).

See the full Project Manager Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Project Manager pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$69,180
$33.26/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$120,910
$58.13/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$188,560
$90.65/hr

Project Manager pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $120,910 $109,203
Oregon $105,480 $102,050 +$15,430
Nevada $99,940 $99,961 +$20,970
Arizona $99,050 $98,384 +$21,860

Project Manager in California: FAQ

How much do project managers make in California?

Project managers in California earn a median of $120,910 per year ($58.13 per hour), compared with $102,320 nationally.

Does California pay project managers well?

At $120,910, California pays 18% above the national median for project managers. An estimated 114,380 work in the state.

Project Manager salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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