City Manager Salary Overview
The City Manager is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $122,800. Compensation typically ranges from $68,400 for entry-level positions to $196,400 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical City Manager in the US earns between $68,400 and $196,400 per year, with a median of $122,800.
City Manager Salary by Experience
Entry-level city managers earn around $79,820, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $165,780 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $84,732 | $41/hr | $63,977 |
| Mid | $122,800 | $59/hr | $87,129 |
| Senior | $165,780 | $80/hr | $112,508 |
| Lead | $175,604 | $84/hr | $118,310 |
City Manager Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a City Manager in each US state.
Pay for city managers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,975 | $9,394 | $88,712 | 27.8% |
| Alaska | $122,800 | $18,719 | $0 | $9,394 | $94,687 | 22.9% |
| Arizona | $122,800 | $18,719 | $2,705 | $9,394 | $91,982 | 25.1% |
| Arkansas | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,177 | $9,394 | $89,510 | 27.1% |
| California | $122,800 | $18,719 | $7,558 | $9,394 | $87,129 | 29.0% |
| Colorado | $122,800 | $18,719 | $4,743 | $9,394 | $89,944 | 26.8% |
| Connecticut | $122,800 | $18,719 | $6,118 | $9,394 | $88,569 | 27.9% |
| Delaware | $122,800 | $18,719 | $6,874 | $9,394 | $87,813 | 28.5% |
| District of Columbia | $122,800 | $18,719 | $7,597 | $9,394 | $87,090 | 29.1% |
| Florida | $122,800 | $18,719 | $0 | $9,394 | $94,687 | 22.9% |
| Georgia | $122,800 | $18,719 | $6,083 | $9,394 | $88,604 | 27.8% |
| Hawaii | $122,800 | $18,719 | $9,203 | $9,394 | $85,484 | 30.4% |
| Idaho | $122,800 | $18,719 | $6,276 | $9,394 | $88,411 | 28.0% |
| Illinois | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,941 | $9,394 | $88,746 | 27.7% |
| Indiana | $122,800 | $18,719 | $3,745 | $9,394 | $90,941 | 25.9% |
| Iowa | $122,800 | $18,719 | $4,666 | $9,394 | $90,020 | 26.7% |
| Kansas | $122,800 | $18,719 | $6,343 | $9,394 | $88,344 | 28.1% |
| Kentucky | $122,800 | $18,719 | $4,786 | $9,394 | $89,901 | 26.8% |
| Louisiana | $122,800 | $18,719 | $4,638 | $9,394 | $90,049 | 26.7% |
| Maine | $122,800 | $18,719 | $7,242 | $9,394 | $87,444 | 28.8% |
| Maryland | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,710 | $9,394 | $88,977 | 27.5% |
| Massachusetts | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,920 | $9,394 | $88,767 | 27.7% |
| Michigan | $122,800 | $18,719 | $4,981 | $9,394 | $89,706 | 26.9% |
| Minnesota | $122,800 | $18,719 | $6,943 | $9,394 | $87,744 | 28.5% |
| Mississippi | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,194 | $9,394 | $89,493 | 27.1% |
| Missouri | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,023 | $9,394 | $89,663 | 27.0% |
| Montana | $122,800 | $18,719 | $6,138 | $9,394 | $88,549 | 27.9% |
| Nebraska | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,651 | $9,394 | $89,036 | 27.5% |
| Nevada | $122,800 | $18,719 | $0 | $9,394 | $94,687 | 22.9% |
| New Hampshire | $122,800 | $18,719 | $0 | $9,394 | $94,687 | 22.9% |
| New Jersey | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,696 | $9,394 | $88,991 | 27.5% |
| New Mexico | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,022 | $9,394 | $89,664 | 27.0% |
| New York | $122,800 | $18,719 | $6,639 | $9,394 | $88,048 | 28.3% |
| North Carolina | $122,800 | $18,719 | $4,952 | $9,394 | $89,735 | 26.9% |
| North Dakota | $122,800 | $18,719 | $2,110 | $9,394 | $92,577 | 24.6% |
| Ohio | $122,800 | $18,719 | $2,828 | $9,394 | $91,859 | 25.2% |
| Oklahoma | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,343 | $9,394 | $89,344 | 27.2% |
| Oregon | $122,800 | $18,719 | $10,220 | $9,394 | $84,467 | 31.2% |
| Pennsylvania | $122,800 | $18,719 | $3,770 | $9,394 | $90,917 | 26.0% |
| Rhode Island | $122,800 | $18,719 | $4,597 | $9,394 | $90,089 | 26.6% |
| South Carolina | $122,800 | $18,719 | $6,232 | $9,394 | $88,455 | 28.0% |
| South Dakota | $122,800 | $18,719 | $0 | $9,394 | $94,687 | 22.9% |
| Tennessee | $122,800 | $18,719 | $0 | $9,394 | $94,687 | 22.9% |
| Texas | $122,800 | $18,719 | $0 | $9,394 | $94,687 | 22.9% |
| Utah | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,710 | $9,394 | $88,977 | 27.5% |
| Vermont | $122,800 | $18,719 | $6,221 | $9,394 | $88,466 | 28.0% |
| Virginia | $122,800 | $18,719 | $6,545 | $9,394 | $88,142 | 28.2% |
| Washington | $122,800 | $18,719 | $0 | $9,394 | $94,687 | 22.9% |
| West Virginia | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,399 | $9,394 | $89,288 | 27.3% |
| Wisconsin | $122,800 | $18,719 | $5,421 | $9,394 | $89,266 | 27.3% |
| Wyoming | $122,800 | $18,719 | $0 | $9,394 | $94,687 | 22.9% |
Top Cities for City Manager Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for city managers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $135,080 |
| Newark, NJ | $135,080 |
| New York, NY | $135,080 |
| Hartford, CT | $135,080 |
| Arlington, VA | $135,080 |
Calculate City Manager Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Gross Annual
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Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
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Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a City Manager
Becoming a city manager typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.City Manager Career Outlook
Employment of city managers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.City Manager Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for city managers in the US is $122,800, with a typical range from $68,400 to $196,400 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for city managers include CA, NJ, NY. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level city managers can expect to earn around $79,820 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a city manager can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for city managers is approximately $59.04, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.