Project Management Specialists Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a project management specialists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $136,250/year ($65.5/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $82K at the entry level to $212K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $123,393 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 43.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $136K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About project management specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level project management specialists (10th percentile) start around $82K. Mid-career wages sit at $136K.Top earners bring in $212K or more - a $130K spread from bottom to top.
Project Management Specialists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $117K | +16% | 35,660 |
| Virginia | $115K | +14% | 46,960 |
| Delaware | $114K | +13% | 2,200 |
| New Jersey | $113K | +12% | 26,850 |
| California | $111K | +10% | 113,980 |
| New York | $110K | +10% | 68,340 |
| Massachusetts | $109K | +8% | 19,790 |
| Alaska | $105K | +5% | 1,590 |
| Connecticut | $105K | +4% | 8,390 |
| Maryland | $104K | +3% | 32,840 |
| District of Columbia | $103K | +2% | 6,120 |
| New Mexico | $103K | +2% | 5,890 |
| Rhode Island | $103K | +2% | 3,300 |
| Illinois | $102K | +2% | 23,850 |
| Georgia | $101K | +0% | 29,180 |
Track project management specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do project management specialists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $136,250 a year - that works out to about $65.5 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $82,220, and experienced project management specialists can clear $212,480. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $136K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,923/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 44% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a project management specialists salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median project management specialists salary is worth about $123,393 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do project management specialists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.