Elizabeth HarrinDirector| RebelsGuideToPM.comLondon, England, United Kingdom
That study shows that UK salaries are around £60k. Arras People in the UK do an annual 'state of PM' survey and theirs shows that most project managers earn £35-50k.
On average an experienced Senior Project Manager in the UK can get between £50k - £80k - The Private Sector pay higher salaries than the Public Sector. Projects Managers can earn between £40k - £50k depending on experience and Junior! Project Managers it is between £25k - £35k. Due to the economic downturn and high unemployment especially of last year into this year 2010 2009 the UK salaries have dropped significantly to what they were in 2007/2008. Saving Changes...
Are you noticing an uptick trend? State and local governments (in the US) pay PMs on the lower scale, while private contractors tend to pay over the $90K a year, or in the $50-$60/h pay range. Saving Changes...
During 2009 especially the market was awful for seeking employment; we had hundreds of potentials applying for 1 job role alone, the competition was intense. Many employers took advantage and had reduced the contractor hourly rates of pay and also reduced the salaries on jobs advertised. Things have picked since one year ago, what is interesting PMs are not moving into and out of jobs so therefore the market has a potential shortage of top PMs with relevant experience employers are looking for to employ. As for the Public Sector it same here in the UK they always pay far less than the Private Sector. My own experience stems from Private Sector, have never worked for Public Sector and would not want to !
State and local governments pay a decent salary for PMs which includes generous benefits like training, health, dental, vision and more. Also, most positions are funded for required desktop/laptop and ergonomic cubicle space which amounts to about anywhere from 8 - 15% additional on top of the salary.
Private sector PM wages will vary from state to state based on prevaling economic rates, type of contract and customer needs.
Saving Changes...
Hi. With my current municipal employer, my health benefits are actually quite heavily based on the state of my health. There are three separate health plans with different levels of co-pay and deductibles. As a result, the work force is 'forced' to improve lifestyle and general health in order to qualify for the less co-pay and deductibles plan. Regardless, my prior employer in the property and casualty insurance business paid me better benefits than my municipal employer. Is it the same in your case? Saving Changes...
I've noticed that the more my salary increases in the private sector, the higher my stress level becomes. There is this general expectation that if you are making over $90K, you should be a 100% rock star, 100% of the time. This persistent push to delivery and especially to multi-task, has proven to be quite distructive over the long haul. I find my projects in the government industry, employed as 'govie' to trend lower in terms of stress. Of course, my pay follows the same path.
Do you think there is a link between stress and pay scale? Saving Changes...
There is always some stress in the workplace whether being Public or Private Sector. The pay scale or the salary earned by an individual is in line with their job role and responsibility. There are expectations be fulfilled to perform and deliver it all comes down to the level of experience, skill-sets and know-how hence the pay scales for different job grades. I dont think there is a link between stress and pay scale, it is about whether a person has the skill-sets and experience the employer is looking for and they are prepared to pay the salary to get that person. Saving Changes...
State/city/county employees have choices in our health care plans. Also, California has two of the largest pension plans in the country. Along with these benefits, Californias two cities; Sacramento and San Francisco; were named by the American College of Sports Medicine on their top ten Healthiest cities in the country. We're not called the Golden State for nothing. Saving Changes...
I think the rate depends on location within the US - I have seen W2 rates on either coast of $65-75/hr with a bill rate of $95-105.Those were for positions where you went through a staffing firm. As a consultant, I've seen bill rates of between $125-250/hr depending on type of project.
In Florida however, I've seen W2 rates for PM as low as $30/hr though I do wonder what experience you get for that rate. There are however positions that I've seen rates here in FL for $65/hr (though few and far between) - the avg that I've heard is about $55/hr for an experienced PM with PMP.
From a salary perspective, I've seen PM positions as low as $35k per annum (again, you get what you pay for) to $150k - some of it depends on location within the country and obviously certain industries pay their PMs more. I've had good experience in both private financial institutions and working as a government contractor at both the county and federal level.
Regarding stress levels - I agree with Vasoula's comments. As a PM you have stress only if you allow yourself to be stressed. As a PM, we are supposed to be masters at scheduling and organizing. I've been busy and sometimes I've been a tad concerned about different projects but I don't ever remember being so stressed out that I thought it was unbearable. If that ever happened, I think it would be time for me to hang up my project management gloves... Saving Changes...
