How much does a Technical Manager make?

The average salary for a Technical Manager is $170,557 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 3531 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Technical Manager employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Technical Manager in United States is $221,450 per year.

The lowest salary for a Technical Manager in United States is $133,232 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Technical Manager or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Technical Manager.

Technical manager salaries vary widely with experience, education, geography, industry and firm. This pay range reflects the varying career backgrounds of technical managers as well as the range of sectors in which they find employment. Candidates with an extensive background in engineering or business, or a graduate degree in a related field, generally receive higher salaries. Pay is expected to grow over the next decade, as the digital transformation pushes new firms to develop complex products which benefit from skilled oversight.

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Currently, about 67% of active technical managers are content with their salary when taking into account total years of experience in addition to education and certifications. When combined with the potential to earn an additional $44,772.16, technical managers can receive good annual pay.

An average technical manager salary is $125,784.62, depending on where you are in your technical manager career path. From entry-level to experienced individuals, the salary range is between $106,791.52 and $277,689.71 with the potential to make $170,556.78 after building relevant experience. Extra compensation in the role typically comes from regular bonuses and stock options given based on personal or company performance that year.

Every technical manager career comes with promotions and new roles that can lead to higher pay. Moving up within your company or exploring options externally can be made easier by increasing the value you can create for the company. A bachelor's degree in a related field is a great first step that many managers complete prior to their first job. Furthering this degree or seeking out professional certifications that recognize your management skills and industry knowledge positions you as an expert in your field. The more in-demand your skills are, the more likely you are to earn a higher technical manager salary.

Salary negotiations are a part of any career progression, whether you're just starting out or looking for your next technical manager job promotion. In order to confidently negotiate for a higher base salary, it's important to know what other companies are paying for talent with your skill set and experience. Explore similar job postings to the one you're applying for and create a salary range you want to stick to during talks. Some effective talking points include "I understand other positions I'm qualified for are paying this amount" or "With my current skill set, I can qualify for this level of salary" to get started.