Improvement Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Improvement Manager make in the United States? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Improvement Manager in the United States is $94,366 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $115,499
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $86,586 to $105,428
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $79,502

Key Factors That Influence Improvement Manager Salaries

An Improvement 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Improvement Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Improvement 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): $73,654
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $92,062
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $112,658
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $126,890
  • Expert (over 8 years): $149,645
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Project Manager I less than 1 year $73,654
Improvement Manager 1-2 years $92,062
Project Manager III 2-4 years $112,658
Project Manager IV 5-8 years $126,890
Project Manager V over 8 years $149,645

Top Paying Cities for Improvement 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:

  • San Jose: $119,024
  • San Francisco: $117,721
  • Oakland: $115,240

Improvement Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Improvement Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Improvement Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Improvement Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Improvement Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services $108,521 $52.0 15%
Pharmaceuticals $106,634 $51.0 13%
Biotechnology $103,803 $50.0 10%
Software & Networking $103,803 $50.0 10%
Internet $102,859 $49.0 9%

How Education impacts an Improvement Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Improvement Manager professionals enter the field with a Associate's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Improvement Manager with a Associate's is between $89,186 and $95,389.

Improvement Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Improvement Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.1%
High School 5.1%
Associate's Degree 4.5%
Bachelor's Degree 48.1%
Master's Degree or MBA 40%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 2.2%

Improvement Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Improvement 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$86,586
Average $94,366/year
$105,428
$7,215
Average $7,864/month
$8,786
$1,665
Average $1,815/week
$2,027
$42
Average $45/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $105,428 $8,786 $2,027 $51
Average $94,366 $7,864 $1,815 $45
25th Percentile $86,586 $7,215 $1,665 $42

Most common benefits for Improvement Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Improvement Manager

Here are companies hiring for Improvement Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Improvement Manager Job

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

  • The Wasserstrom Company | Columbus, OH

    The Wasserstrom Company | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. The Wasserstrom Company. is seeking a strategic, analytical, and forward-thinking leader to drive continuous improvement ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Kenan Advantage Group | Columbus, OH

    CDL

    Kenan Advantage Group | Columbus, OH

    KAG Specialty Products is hiring OTR CDL‐A Drivers who want to stay out, run hard, and earn BIG.If you're willing to stay "in system" for at least 14 conse... more

    6 Days Ago

  • University Health | Columbus, OH

    University Health | Columbus, OH

    About University Health: At University Health, we are dedicated to improving the health of our community through exceptional patient care, education, and i... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Cencora | Columbus, OH

    Cencora | Columbus, OH

    Our team members are at the heart of everything we do. At Cencora, we are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures, and every person here i... more

    7 Days Ago

  • OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and that everyone could... more

    7 Days Ago

  • OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and that everyone could... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about Improvement Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Improvement Manager?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Improvement Manager roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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