Salary Data

Project Manager Salary in Raleigh

$99,000

median salary, 1% below the national average

According to Orbyt's 2026 salary analysis, the average Project Manager salary in Raleigh is $99,000. Salaries range from $77,000 (25th percentile) to $129,000 (75th percentile), adjusted for Raleigh's cost of living.

Get Your Salary Playbook

Salary range

25th Percentile

$77,000

per year

Median

$99,000

per year

75th Percentile

$129,000

per year

How Raleigh compares

Raleigh, NC

$99,000

Cost of living: 1% below average

National Average

$100,000

Raleigh is $1,000 below

Project Manager job market in Raleigh

Raleigh market overview

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.

What drives Project Manager salaries

Industry, project complexity, and budget size are the primary drivers. IT and construction project managers managing multimillion dollar initiatives earn significantly more than those on smaller engagements. PMP certification adds a measurable premium. Agile coaching experience and program level responsibility also push compensation upward.

Beyond base salary

Total compensation

Bonuses of 8 to 15% tied to project delivery milestones are common. Equity is available at tech companies, adding $10,000 to $50,000 annually. Benefits packages often include professional development budgets and certification exam reimbursement for PMP, Scrum Master, and related credentials.

Tax considerations in Raleigh

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.

Career progression

Associate project managers start at $60,000 to $80,000, advancing to PM at $90,000 to $125,000 in two to four years. Senior PMs earn $125,000 to $160,000. Program managers reach $150,000 to $200,000, and directors of PMO or VP level roles at large organizations can exceed $220,000.

Top industries in Raleigh

TechnologyBiotech & PharmaHigher EducationHealthcareGaming

Negotiating in Raleigh

Cite Research Triangle talent competition in your negotiation. Employers here compete directly with each other and with remote offers, creating favorable leverage for candidates.

Project Manager salary FAQ

PMP certified project managers earn approximately 20 to 25% more than non certified peers on average, according to PMI's salary survey. The certification signals a standardized knowledge base and commitment to the profession, making it one of the highest ROI credentials for project managers.

Technology project managers typically earn 10 to 20% more in base salary than construction counterparts, though construction PMs managing large capital projects can earn comparable total compensation with bonuses. Tech offers more equity upside, while construction provides steadier bonus structures.

Project Managers in Raleigh commonly receive benefits including health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, and professional development budgets. Many employers also offer remote work flexibility, signing bonuses, and performance based bonuses. Total compensation often exceeds base salary by 20% to 40%.

Raleigh offers competitive compensation for Project Managers relative to its cost of living. The local job market, industry presence, and quality of life all factor into whether Raleigh is the right fit. Consider using Orbyt's Salary Playbook to compare offers across cities and factor in your personal financial situation.

Entry level Project Manager positions in Raleigh typically start around $77,000 or slightly below, depending on the company and your educational background. Candidates with relevant internships, certifications, or portfolio projects can often negotiate toward the median of $99,000.

Project Manager salary in other cities

Other salaries in Raleigh

More resources

Negotiating a Project Manager offer?

Get a personalized Salary Playbook with negotiation strategies tailored to your offer, experience, and financial runway.

Get Started Free