Program Manager.
Raleigh.
$152,000
median salary, at the national average
$118,000 to $198,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Program Manager offer in Raleigh, NC, here is the reality: $118,000 to $198,000, with $152,000 as the midpoint. Right at the national average. Portfolio complexity and the number of concurrent workstreams are the strongest predictors of program manager pay. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $137,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$99,000
to $122,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$129,000
to $160,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$167,000
to $198,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$190,000
to $236,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $38,000 to the total package.
Base
$152,000
Equity
$21,000
Bonus
$14,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $190,000
How Raleigh compares
Raleigh, NC
$152,000
Cost of living: 1% below average
National Average
$152,000
Same as local rate
Program Manager salary by city
Salary by role in Raleigh
What you should know
Here is what the Program Manager market actually looks like in Raleigh. Raleigh sits at the heart of the Research Triangle, one of America's premier tech and life sciences corridors. Cisco, Red Hat, Epic Games, and numerous biotech firms drive strong demand for engineering, research, and product roles. The combination of top tier universities and moderate living costs creates an exceptionally favorable salary to expense ratio. Portfolio complexity and the number of concurrent workstreams are the strongest predictors of program manager pay. Industry matters significantly: defense and healthcare program managers earn 15 to 25% premiums due to regulatory overhead. PMP certification and experience managing budgets above $10 million further widen the range.
Associate program managers start around $90,000 to $110,000. Mid-level program managers earn $130,000 to $165,000, while senior and principal program managers reach $175,000 to $220,000. Directors of program management can exceed $240,000 in total compensation at large enterprises. In Raleigh, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Annual bonuses of 10 to 20% are standard, often tied to milestone delivery and budget adherence. RSUs are common at tech firms, adding $20,000 to $60,000 annually at senior levels. And on the tax side: north Carolina's flat 4.5% income tax keeps the burden low. Raleigh has no city income tax, and the Triangle's affordable housing amplifies your take home purchasing power. When someone quotes you $152,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Cite Research Triangle talent competition in your negotiation. Employers here compete directly with each other and with remote offers, creating favorable leverage for candidates. The range for Program Managers in Raleigh runs from $118,000 to $198,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI UX Designer in Raleigh earns $151,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Raleigh is Chief AI Officer at $316,000
Common questions.
Program Manager salary in other cities
Other salaries in Raleigh
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