What the numbers say
About 6,710 Project Management Specialists worked in the Riverside metro in 2024, making it a meaningful local employer for the field. The median annual wage was $99,630, which runs about 10.5% below the California median of $111,300 and roughly in line with the national median of $100,946.
The gap with the state figure is worth pausing on. California's statewide median is pulled up by Bay Area and Los Angeles concentrations of higher-paying tech and finance work. Riverside sits inland, where the mix of employers skews toward logistics, healthcare, and public-sector roles. Those tend to pay closer to the national baseline than to San Francisco rates.
The spread here is wide. The bottom tenth of earners took home $61,020, while the top tenth reached $160,090. That's a ratio of about 2.6 to 1 from floor to ceiling. In practical terms, a project manager early in their career in this metro earns something close to the national entry-level figure, while a seasoned specialist with a strong track record can reach a salary that competes with mid-tier markets well above the California coast. The mean wage of $105,560 sits about $5,900 above the median, which tells us a smaller group of higher earners pull that average up.
For a metro of Riverside's size, 6,710 employed specialists is a solid base. It suggests consistent demand across industries rather than a market built around a single large employer.
Salary distribution
Where Riverside project management specialists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $75,110 and $131,040, with a median of $100,770.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
Less than 5 years
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
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How the Riverside metro compares to other major California metro areas for project management specialists.
- San Jose$135,120
- San Francisco$135,040
- Sacramento$124,350
- San Diego$117,460
- Los Angeles$108,310
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Project Management Specialists in Riverside, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Project Management Specialists in the Riverside metropolitan area is $100,770.
- Does Riverside pay more than the California state average for Project Management Specialists?
- The Riverside metro median is -16.7% versus the California state median of $120,910.
- How does Riverside compare to the national median for Project Management Specialists?
- The Riverside metro median is -4.0% versus the BLS national figure of $104,968.
- What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists in Riverside?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $58,110 and the 90th-percentile at $161,380 for the Riverside metro area.
- What education is required for Project Management Specialists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the Riverside CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.