As of May 18, 2021, the average hourly rate for an IT Project Manager I in the United States is $40, which translates to an annual salary of about $82,740.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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An IT Project Manager I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an IT Project Manager I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| IT Project Manager I | 0-2 years | $82,740 |
| IT Project Manager II | 2-4 years | $98,871 |
| IT Project Manager III | 4-7 years | $120,656 |
| IT Project Manager IV | 7+ years | $140,493 |
| IT Project Manager V | 7-10 years | $156,415 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract IT Project Manager Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Project Management | 21.61% |
| Scrum | 1.5% |
| Billing | 0.98% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Collaboration
|
$86,877 |
5%
|
|
Leadership
|
$86,877 |
5%
|
|
Change Management
|
$86,050 |
4%
|
|
Presentation
|
$86,050 |
4%
|
|
Agile
|
$86,050 |
4%
|
|
Innovation
|
$85,222 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many IT Project Manager Is enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an IT Project Manager I with a Associate's Degree is between $77,616 and $82,745).
IT Project Manager I Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.0% |
| High School | 7.7% |
| Associates | 8.4% |
| Bachelors | 48.5% |
| Masters | 34.2% |
| Doctorate | 0.2% |
Understanding how an IT Project Manager I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on May 18, 2021Salaries for an IT Project Manager I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $77,020 in 2023 to around $76,406 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of IT Project Manager I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $77,020 |
| 2024 | $76,779 |
| 2025 | $76,406 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Manages and oversees all aspects of a technology project to ensure it is completed on-time and within budget. Has overall responsibility for managing scope, cost, schedule, internal staffing, vendors, and contractual deliverables. Develops detailed project plans. Monitors project milestones and generate periodic status reports. Evaluates and manages risk. Incorporates quality measures and standards to project deliverables. Possesses strong knowledge of technology. Typically requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. May require project management certification. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Project Management: Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
Scrum: Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
Billing: Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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