How Much Can I Make as a Creative Project Manager?
Sep 08, 2024
Creative project management is an exciting and rewarding career, offering professionals the opportunity to manage innovative projects in industries like advertising, media, and tech. But how much can you make as a creative project manager? Salaries can vary widely depending on location, industry, experience, and company size.
This article breaks down salary expectations for creative project managers across key U.S. cities and metro areas, highlights employers in the creative, advertising, media, and tech industries, and explains how senior-level roles can unlock even higher earning potential. A section on remote opportunities is also included to reflect the growing demand for creative project managers who can work from anywhere.
Average Salary for a Creative Project Manager
The average salary for a creative project manager in the United States ranges from $65,000 to $95,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at around $50,000, while senior roles can exceed $120,000, especially in high-demand markets. Industry, company size, and location all significantly influence salary levels.
Creative Project Manager Salaries by U.S. Cities and Metro Areas
1. New York City, NY
- Average Salary: $95,000 – $125,000
- High End: $140,000+
- Entry-Level: $60,000 – $70,000
- Notable Employers: In New York City, creative project managers can find roles at leading advertising and media companies such as Ogilvy, Spotify, HBO, McCann Erickson, Vice Media, Grey Global Group, BBDO, NBCUniversal, ViacomCBS, and Conde Nast.
New York City is the epicenter of the U.S. advertising, media, and entertainment industries, offering top-tier salaries for creative project managers. Senior professionals can easily command six-figure salaries, particularly when working on global campaigns for major brands.
2. Los Angeles, CA
- Average Salary: $85,000 – $115,000
- High End: $130,000+
- Entry-Level: $55,000 – $65,000
- Notable Employers: In Los Angeles, top employers for creative project managers include Disney, Netflix, TBWA\Chiat\Day, BuzzFeed, Sony Pictures, Hulu, Warner Bros., RPA, DreamWorks Animation, and Blizzard Entertainment.
Los Angeles offers high-paying opportunities in the entertainment industry, particularly for creative project managers involved in film, TV, and streaming content production. Senior roles in these fields can reach upwards of $130,000 annually.
3. San Francisco, CA
- Average Salary: $90,000 – $120,000
- High End: $135,000+
- Entry-Level: $65,000 – $75,000
- Notable Employers: San Francisco is home to leading tech companies that employ creative project managers, including Apple, Google, Facebook (Meta), Airbnb, BBDO, Salesforce, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Electronic Arts (EA).
As a tech hub, San Francisco offers some of the highest salaries for creative project managers. Senior roles, particularly those managing creative strategies for product launches or marketing campaigns, often pay over $130,000 annually.
4. Chicago, IL
- Average Salary: $75,000 – $105,000
- High End: $120,000+
- Entry-Level: $50,000 – $60,000
- Notable Employers: In Chicago, creative project managers can find roles at top companies like Leo Burnett, United Airlines, Grubhub, Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide, Groupon, Arc Worldwide, DDB Worldwide, FCB, Morningstar, and Uptake.
Chicago is a major player in advertising and corporate branding, with notable employers offering competitive salaries for creative project managers. Senior positions can command over $120,000 in high-profile marketing and creative roles.
5. Austin, TX
- Average Salary: $70,000 – $100,000
- High End: $110,000+
- Entry-Level: $50,000 – $60,000
- Notable Employers: Austin’s growing tech scene includes creative project management roles at companies such as Dell, Indeed, Whole Foods Market, GSD&M, RetailMeNot, Dropbox, Vrbo, BigCommerce, Atlassian, and IBM.
Austin is a growing tech and creative hub, with salaries for creative project managers remaining competitive, especially in the tech and digital marketing sectors.
6. Seattle, WA
- Average Salary: $80,000 – $110,000
- High End: $125,000+
- Entry-Level: $55,000 – $65,000
- Notable Employers: Seattle’s tech and creative industries employ creative project managers at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Zillow, Expedia, Tableau, Redfin, Nintendo of America, Valve Corporation, and Getty Images.
Seattle’s combination of tech giants and creative firms offers high-paying opportunities for creative project managers. Senior roles can easily exceed $125,000, particularly in tech-driven creative projects.
7. Atlanta, GA
- Average Salary: $70,000 – $95,000
- High End: $110,000
- Entry-Level: $50,000 – $60,000
- Notable Employers: Creative project managers in Atlanta often work for companies like Coca-Cola, Turner Broadcasting, Mailchimp, Home Depot, Moxie, Delta Airlines, NCR Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group, Kimberly-Clark, and CNN.
Atlanta is a major hub for corporate branding, digital media, and marketing, with salaries for creative project managers being strong, especially in the media and advertising sectors.
8. Washington, D.C.
- Average Salary: $80,000 – $105,000
- High End: $115,000+
- Entry-Level: $55,000 – $65,000
- Notable Employers: Washington, D.C. is home to many creative project management opportunities at companies like The Washington Post, Discovery Communications, Smithsonian Institution, National Geographic, Booz Allen Hamilton, PBS, Gallup, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Politico, and The Atlantic.
D.C. offers a strong creative job market, with opportunities in media, non-profit, and government sectors, where senior creative project managers can earn competitive salaries.
9. Miami, FL
- Average Salary: $65,000 – $90,000
- High End: $100,000+
- Entry-Level: $45,000 – $55,000
- Notable Employers: Miami’s growing media and marketing sectors employ creative project managers at companies like Univision, Royal Caribbean, NBCUniversal Telemundo, Carnival Cruise Line, SapientRazorfish, Burger King, Bacardi, Norwegian Cruise Line, MARC USA, and MDG Advertising.
Miami is a multicultural hub for media and marketing, with many creative project managers working in industries like tourism, entertainment, and digital media.
10. Denver, CO
- Average Salary: $70,000 – $95,000
- High End: $110,000+
- Entry-Level: $50,000 – $60,000
- Notable Employers: Denver offers creative project management roles at companies like Arrow Electronics, SendGrid (Twilio), Vail Resorts, Chipotle, Gates Corporation, Crocs, Ball Corporation, DaVita, Frontier Airlines, and Ibotta.
Denver’s combination of tech startups and outdoor recreation brands makes it a great location for creative project managers, with salaries reflecting the city’s rising demand for digital marketing and branding expertise.
11. Remote
- Average Salary: $65,000 – $110,000
- High End: $120,000+
- Entry-Level: $50,000 – $65,000
- Notable Employers: Remote work opportunities for creative project managers are growing, with major employers like Toptal, Automattic, GitLab, InVision, Zapier, Buffer, Basecamp, Doist, Hotjar, and Trello offering fully remote roles.
Remote roles are becoming increasingly common, especially as more companies embrace flexible work arrangements. Creative project managers working remotely can expect salaries that are competitive with in-office positions, particularly in tech and digital marketing.
Creative Project Manager Salary Summary by U.S. Cities and Metro Areas
| City | Average Salary | High End | Entry Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | $95,000 – $125,000 | $140,000+ | $60,000 – $70,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $85,000 – $115,000 | $130,000+ | $55,000 – $65,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | $90,000 – $120,000 | $135,000+ | $65,000 – $75,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $75,000 – $105,000 | $120,000+ | $50,000 – $60,000 |
| Austin, TX | $70,000 – $100,000 | $110,000+ | $50,000 – $60,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $80,000 – $110,000 | $125,000+ | $55,000 – $65,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | $70,000 – $95,000 | $110,000 | $50,000 – $60,000 |
| Washington, D.C. | $80,000 – $105,000 | $115,000+ | $55,000 – $65,000 |
| Miami, FL | $65,000 – $90,000 | $100,000+ | $45,000 – $55,000 |
| Denver, CO | $70,000 – $95,000 | $110,000+ | $50,000 – $60,000 |
| Remote | $65,000 – $110,000 | $120,000+ | $50,000 – $65,000 |
How Senior Creative Project Managers Can Earn More
Senior creative project managers can significantly increase their earning potential by taking on larger projects, overseeing multiple teams, and developing creative strategies that shape the direction of the organization. As creative professionals move up in their careers, their responsibilities expand, and so do their compensation packages.
Senior-Level Responsibilities:
- Managing Multiple Projects: Senior creative project managers typically juggle several high-profile projects simultaneously, each with its own team and objectives. They are responsible for ensuring that these projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of clients or stakeholders.
- Overseeing Larger Teams: Senior project managers often supervise junior project managers and larger cross-functional teams that include designers, copywriters, developers, and marketers. Their leadership ensures that creative projects maintain consistent quality across multiple teams and deliverables.
- Developing Creative Strategies: In senior roles, creative project managers are more involved in the overall creative direction of the organization. They work closely with creative directors, executives, and key stakeholders to set the tone for campaigns, product launches, and branding initiatives.
- Client and Stakeholder Management: Senior project managers are the primary point of contact for clients, ensuring that expectations are met and addressing concerns. They also represent the company in client presentations and pitches, guiding the creative vision while maintaining a focus on the client’s goals.
- Budget Oversight: Senior creative project managers manage larger budgets, allocating resources efficiently to ensure projects stay on track financially. They’re also responsible for forecasting budgets and providing detailed reports to clients or executives.
Potential Salary Upside:
- Mid-level Managers: $90,000 – $120,000
- Senior Creative Project Managers: $120,000 – $160,000+
- Directors of Creative Project Management: $150,000 – $200,000+
In senior positions, there’s substantial room for salary growth, especially in major markets like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, where project budgets are larger and the stakes are higher. Many senior managers also receive performance bonuses, profit-sharing, and equity, which can significantly boost their total compensation.
In addition to higher salaries, senior creative project managers often enjoy other benefits such as leadership roles in setting creative strategies, the opportunity to mentor junior staff, and direct input into the future direction of the company’s creative efforts.
Conclusion
Creative project managers can earn competitive salaries across the U.S., with cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco offering the highest pay. As you gain experience and take on more responsibilities, especially in senior roles, you can expect to see significant growth in your earning potential.
If you’re looking to maximize your salary and career potential, gaining additional certifications, mastering project management tools, and working in high-demand industries like tech, advertising, and media are crucial.
Ready to advance your creative project management career? Explore CPMA's comprehensive training and certification program to gain the skills needed to excel in this rewarding field.