What the numbers say
About 16,980 Project Management Specialists work in the Philadelphia metro, making it one of the larger concentrations of the role on the East Coast. The median annual wage came in at $102,050 in 2024, roughly 5% above the Pennsylvania median of $97,280 and just over 1% above the national median of $100,946.
The average wage of $108,700 runs noticeably higher than the median. That gap tells us a segment of senior or specialized PMs in the area pull the average up, while the typical worker sits closer to the $102,050 figure.
The spread across experience levels is wide. At the 10th percentile, Project Management Specialists in Philadelphia earned $62,250. At the 90th, they earned $160,900. Top earners make roughly 2.5 times what those starting out make, which reflects how much seniority, industry, and scope of portfolio can shift pay in this role. The 25th-to-75th-percentile band runs from $79,860 to $129,510, so the middle half of the workforce spans about $50,000 in annual pay.
Philadelphia's premium over the Pennsylvania median is real but modest. Workers in the metro have generally outpaced the state figure, likely because the city draws larger employers in healthcare, financial services, and consulting, where PM roles tend to carry more responsibility and pay accordingly. Still, the gap is not dramatic, and the national median is close enough that Philadelphia does not stand out as a high-wage outlier the way some coastal metros do for this occupation.
Salary distribution
Where Philadelphia 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 $82,200 and $133,100, with a median of $104,160.
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 Philadelphia metro compares to other major Pennsylvania metro areas for project management specialists.
- Pittsburgh$99,320
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Project Management Specialists in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Project Management Specialists in the Philadelphia metropolitan area is $104,160.
- Does Philadelphia pay more than the Pennsylvania state average for Project Management Specialists?
- The Philadelphia metro median is +4.0% versus the Pennsylvania state median of $100,150.
- How does Philadelphia compare to the national median for Project Management Specialists?
- The Philadelphia metro median is -0.8% versus the BLS national figure of $104,968.
- What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists in Philadelphia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $65,240 and the 90th-percentile at $167,770 for the Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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.