What the numbers say
About 26,620 Project Management Specialists worked in the Seattle metro in 2024, making it one of the larger concentrations of this role in the country. The median annual wage was $125,390, which is 7% above the Washington state median of $117,030 and about 24% above the national median of $100,946.
The mean and median sit close together at $126,180 and $125,390. That narrow gap is worth noting. In metros where a small group of very high earners pulls the average up sharply, the two figures diverge. Seattle's alignment suggests the middle of the distribution is fairly representative of what most people in this role actually earn.
The range tells a different story. At the 10th percentile, wages came in at $67,230. At the 90th, they reached $180,740. Top earners in Seattle make about 2.7 times what those starting out or in lower-paying settings make. That kind of spread usually reflects real differences in seniority, industry, and scope of responsibility rather than just title variation. A project manager running a two-person software rollout and one coordinating a multi-year infrastructure program both fall under this SOC code.
The 75th percentile lands at $156,650, meaning a quarter of Seattle's project managers earned above that threshold. Getting past the midpoint into the upper half of the distribution appears to be achievable here at scale, given the size of the local workforce and the concentration of industries that tend to pay above the state baseline.
Salary distribution
Where Seattle 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 $97,410 and $168,460, with a median of $130,380.
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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Explore coursesFrequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Project Management Specialists in Seattle, Washington?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Project Management Specialists in the Seattle metropolitan area is $130,380.
- Does Seattle pay more than the Washington state average for Project Management Specialists?
- The Seattle metro median is +5.0% versus the Washington state median of $124,160.
- How does Seattle compare to the national median for Project Management Specialists?
- The Seattle metro median is +24.2% versus the BLS national figure of $104,968.
- What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists in Seattle?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $78,780 and the 90th-percentile at $209,220 for the Seattle 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 Seattle 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.