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2026 Salary Data — Houston, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Project Manager Salary in Houston: $101K Median

Project Managers in Houston, TX earn between $68K and $173K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $96,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Project Manager salary in Houston, TX is $100,800 per year — +5% above the US national median of $96,000. Salaries range from $68,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $173,250 (90th percentile). Project Managers in Houston earned approximately $21,913 in 2025, representing 360.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$100,800
+360.0% YoY · $8,400/mo
Entry
$68,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$152,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$173,250
Senior/lead
Project Manager Salary — Houston vs Nearby
Houston
$101K
San Antonio
$89K
+13% vs Houston
Dallas
$101K
+0% vs Houston
Austin
$110K
-9% vs Houston

Free ATS scan · Houston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Project Managers in Houston

Project managers plan, execute, and close projects on time and within budget, coordinating teams and stakeholders.

Core Responsibilities

  • Project planning
  • Stakeholder management
  • Risk and issue management
  • Budget tracking
  • Status reporting

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (PMP for senior roles)

In-demand certifications

PMPAgile/Scrum (PSM, CSM)PRINCE2Six Sigma

Houston Job Market

Energy capital with massive medical center and growing tech presence.

Population
2320K
Cost of Living
96
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$320K

Top Industries in Houston

Energy/Oil & GasHealthcareAerospace (NASA)Manufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Project Managers

Major employers active in Houston or hiring remotely from this metro.

Consulting firms
Construction companies
IT departments
Healthcare systems
Government

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Project Manager listings.

Agile/ScrumPMPAI tools for PMRisk managementHybrid work coordination

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PMPAgileScrumJiraMS Projectrisk managementbudget managementstakeholder communication
Career Outlook
+7% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

PM roles growing 7%. PMI estimates 25M PM-related roles globally by 2030.

Project Manager Salary Breakdown — Houston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$68,250$100,800$173,250
Monthly$5,688$8,400$14,438
Weekly$1,313$1,938$3,332
Hourly$33$48$83

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($96,000) adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Project Manager Take-Home Pay in Houston

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$79,210.8
Per month$6,601
Biweekly paycheck$3,047
Effective tax rate21.4%

Tax Breakdown on $100,800

Gross salary$100,800
Federal income tax−$13,878
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,711.2
Take-home (net)$79,210.8

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Project Manager Salary by Experience — Houston

Career-stage progression for Project Managers in Houston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$62,790
2–3 yr$68,250
4–6 yr$110,250
7–10 yr$152,250
11–15 yr$179,655
15+ yr$162,750

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Houston's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+360.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$21,913
2026 median:$100,800
Change:+$78,887

Operations sector growth driven by demand for Agile/Scrum and PMP.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$105,000
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Project Manager Salary in Houston

Walk-away anchor: $91,636 (offers below this are below market for Houston).

Leverage Points

  • Quantified savings: dollars cut from COGS, hours of process time saved
  • Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, CSCP certifications carry pay premiums
  • P&L responsibility and headcount managed
  • ERP / automation experience (SAP, NetSuite, Workday, RPA tooling)

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Annual performance bonus tied to operational KPIsPMP, Six Sigma, CSCP certification reimbursementProfit-share or long-term incentive plan (LTIP)Relocation package for plant / DC rolesTuition reimbursement (often MBA-eligible)

What To Say

"I delivered $X in annualized savings in my last role through process redesign. With my PMP and Black Belt, I'm targeting $X base plus a performance bonus tied to operational KPIs."

Anchor on $152K–$173K for experienced roles, citing Houston market data and your specific Agile/Scrum/PMP expertise.

Project Manager Salary FAQ — Houston

What is the average Project Manager salary in Houston, TX?
The average Project Manager salary in Houston is $100,800 per year as of April 2026 — $8,400/month, $1,938/week, or about $48/hour. Salaries range from $68,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $173,250 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $100,800 a good Project Manager salary in Houston?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Houston's cost-of-living index is 96 (vs 100 nationally), giving $100,800 a real purchasing power of approximately $105,000 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $100,800 in Houston?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Houston specifically (median home price $320,000), a $100,800 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $100,800 enough for a single person in Houston?
A single adult in Houston typically needs ~$43,200 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $100,800 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $100,800 enough for a couple in Houston?
A couple (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$69,120 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $100,800 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $100,800 each ($201,600 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $100,800 enough for a family of 4 in Houston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$105,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $100,800 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Houston. Childcare costs in Houston typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Project Manager in Houston?
On a $100,800 Project Manager salary in Houston, TX, you take home approximately $79,210.8 per year ($6,601/month, $3,047 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $13,878, state $0, FICA $7,711.2. Effective tax rate: 21.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Project Managers in Houston earn compared to the US average?
Project Managers in Houston earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($96,000 nationally vs $100,800 in Houston). However, Houston's cost-of-living index of 96 means real purchasing power is approximately $105,000 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Project Manager earn in Houston?
Entry-level Project Managers in Houston typically start at around $68,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Project Managers earn $152,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $173,250+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Project Manager salaries in Houston increase in 2026?
Yes — Project Manager salaries in Houston grew approximately 360.0% year-over-year, from $21,913 in 2025 to $100,800 in 2026 (+$78,887). This reflects the broader Operations sector's compensation trend, driven by Agile/Scrum and PMP demand.
What's the job outlook for Project Managers in Houston?
PM roles growing 7%. PMI estimates 25M PM-related roles globally by 2030. Houston's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Aerospace (NASA), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Project Managers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Project Managers are: Agile/Scrum, PMP, AI tools for PM, Risk management, Hybrid work coordination. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Houston.
Who are the top employers hiring Project Managers in Houston?
Top employers hiring Project Managers in or near Houston include: Consulting firms, Construction companies, IT departments, Healthcare systems, Government. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Project Manager salary in Houston?
I delivered $X in annualized savings in my last role through process redesign. With my PMP and Black Belt, I'm targeting $X base plus a performance bonus tied to operational KPIs. Key leverage points for Operations negotiations: Quantified savings: dollars cut from COGS, hours of process time saved; Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, CSCP certifications carry pay premiums; P&L responsibility and headcount managed. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Annual performance bonus tied to operational KPIs, PMP, Six Sigma, CSCP certification reimbursement, Profit-share or long-term incentive plan (LTIP), Relocation package for plant / DC roles.
How can I increase my Project Manager salary in Houston?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Agile/Scrum, PMP, AI tools for PM) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PMP or Agile/Scrum (PSM, CSM)). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Project Manager in Houston?
Bachelor's degree (PMP for senior roles) is the typical path. However, Houston's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Operations roles.

Methodology & Sources

Project Manager salary figures for Houston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($96,000) by Houston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (360.0%) reflects the Operations sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Houston

Product Manager →Business Analyst →Operations Manager →

Project Manager Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$101KPhiladelphia, PA$100KSan Antonio, TX$89KDallas, TX$101KAustin, TX$110KFort Worth, TX$98KCharlotte, NC$98KEl Paso, TX$82K

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