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Creative Program Manager Salary in California

How much does a Creative Program Manager make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Creative Program Manager in California is $136,026 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.

However, a Creative Program Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $165,104
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $119,938 to $151,247
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,290
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Creative Program Manager Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Creative Program Manager Salaries

A Creative Program Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Creative Program Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Creative Program Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $126,265
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $127,056
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $129,692
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $132,856
  • Expert (over 8 years): $136,450
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Creative Program Manager less than 1 year $126,265
Early Career Level Creative Program Manager 1-2 years $127,056
Mid-Level Level Creative Program Manager 2-4 years $129,692
Senior-Level Level Creative Program Manager 5-8 years $132,856
Expert Level Creative Program Manager over 8 years $136,450

How Do Creative Program Manager Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Creative Program Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $136,544.
  • California: $136,026.
  • Massachusetts: $134,214.

Top Paying Cities for Creative Program Manager

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $136,261
  • West Hollywood: $136,162
  • Dodgertown: $136,259

Creative Program Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Creative Program Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Creative Program Manager positions in Media or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Creative Program Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Creative Program Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $176,834 $85.0 30%
Internet $163,232 $78.0 20%
Healthcare $156,430 $75.0 15%
Biotechnology $149,629 $72.0 10%
Chemicals $149,629 $72.0 10%

Creative Program Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Creative Program Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$119,938
Average $136,026/year
$151,247
$9,995
Average $11,336/month
$12,604
$2,307
Average $2,616/week
$2,909
$58
Average $65/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $151,247 $12,604 $2,909 $73
Average $136,026 $11,336 $2,616 $65
25th Percentile $119,938 $9,995 $2,307 $58

Find Your Next Creative Program Manager Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Creative Program Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Lockheed Martin | Palmdale, CA

    Integrated Program Planning Mgr

    Lockheed Martin | Palmdale, CA

    Program Planning And Integration Manager. Standard Job Description Partners with Program & Senior Management and directs all phases of Program Planning & I... more

    6 Days Ago

  • DCS Corporation | Port Hueneme, CA

    Senior Program Mgr

    DCS Corporation | Port Hueneme, CA

    DCS is looking for a Senior Program Manager that will play a key leadership role overseeing complex research, development, engineering, and integration eff... more

    7 Days Ago

  • HireTalent | Northridge, CA

    Quality Systems Program Mgr

    HireTalent | Northridge, CA

    Project Manager In The Medical Device Industry. Must have: 15+ years of experience in medical device industry Bachelors Degree in Engineering Project Manag... more

    9 Days Ago

  • City National Bank | San Francisco, CA

    Wealth Management Product and Program Strategy Mgr

    City National Bank | San Francisco, CA

    WEALTH MANAGEMENT PRODUCT AND PROGRAM STRATEGY MGRWHAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY. Responsible for CNB's Wealth Management Product and Program Strategy. This indiv... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Virgin Galactic | Tustin, CA

    Engineering Mgr Tech Policy&amp Program Integration

    Virgin Galactic | Tustin, CA

    We are seeking an experienced aerospace engineer to lead the critical activities that ensure regulatory compliance related to our vehicles and mission oper... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Intuitive | Sunnyvale, CA

    Sr Product Mgr Global Program Services

    Intuitive | Sunnyvale, CA

    Company DescriptionIt started with a simple idea:what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful. Nearly 30 years later, that question sti... more

    5 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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