Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Project Manager vs Sales Manager salary

In United States, a sales manager earns about 17% more than a project manager — $140,000 vs $120,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Finance & Business
Project Manager
$120,000/yr
Monthly
$10,000
Hourly
$58
Range
$76,800–$172,800
10-yr outlook
+7%
Pays more
Finance & Business
Sales Manager
$140,000/yr
Monthly
$11,700
Hourly
$67
Range
$77,000–$217,000
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileProject ManagerSales Manager
Entry (10th)$76,800$77,000
25th$98,400$108,500
Median$120,000$140,000
75th$146,400$178,500
Senior (90th)$172,800$217,000

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

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Frequently asked questions

Does a project manager or sales manager earn more in United States?
A sales manager earns more, at about $140,000 per year vs $120,000 for a project manager — roughly 17% ($20,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A project manager typically earns $76,800–$172,800, while a sales manager earns $77,000–$217,000 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a project manager averages about $10,000 and a sales manager about $11,700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a project manager earns about $76,800 while a sales manager earns about $77,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a project manager earns about $172,800 while a sales manager earns about $217,000 per year.
Are project manager and sales manager similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Finance & Business category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.