If you are searching for the City Manager salary in the USA, the pay can be quite different depending on the city, state, population of the community, experience and level of responsibility. As of September 2026, the average City Manager salary in the USA is around $116,793 per year, which is about $9,733 per month or $56 per hour. A city manager is one of the main administrative leaders of a city and usually works with the mayor, city council, department heads and the public to manage daily city operations. In larger cities, the salary can go much higher, while smaller cities and towns may offer lower pay. This City Manager salary guide covers average pay, salary by state, monthly and hourly income, job duties, experience, education, benefits and other important details for people interested in local government management.
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City Manager Salary in the USA
A City Manager is generally hired to manage the administrative side of a city government. The position is different from an elected mayor because the city manager is normally a professional administrator rather than an elected political official. Depending on the local government structure, the city manager can be responsible for budgets, employees, public services, infrastructure planning, contracts, department performance and putting city council decisions into action.
The average City Manager salary in the United States is about $116,793 per year based on current Salary.com salary data. The reported average works out to approximately $9,733 per month, $2,246 per week and $56 per hour. The typical middle salary range is around $106,245 to $125,899, while the reported 90th-percentile salary reaches about $134,190. These numbers are useful for understanding the general market, but an actual city manager salary can be very different from one city to another.
For example, city managers in large communities with bigger budgets, more employees and more complicated public services can receive substantially higher compensation. Current job listings collected by ICMA also show city manager positions with salary ranges above $200,000 and, in some larger or higher-paying communities, well above $250,000.
Average City Manager Salary, Monthly Pay and Hourly Pay
People searching for how much does a city manager make often want more than just the annual salary. The yearly amount can be broken down into monthly and hourly figures, although actual working hours are not always a normal 40-hour week for this type of senior government position.
- Average annual City Manager salary: About $116,793
- Average monthly pay: About $9,733
- Average weekly pay: About $2,246
- Average hourly equivalent: About $56
- 25th percentile salary: About $106,245
- 75th percentile salary: About $125,899
- 90th percentile salary: About $134,190
These figures should not be treated as a fixed government pay scale. City Manager compensation is normally decided by the individual local government and can depend on city population, budget size, professional experience, education, local labor market and the responsibilities written into the employment agreement. Salary.com says its estimates use employer job postings and other third-party compensation data.
City Manager Salary by State
The City Manager salary by state can change a lot across the country. States with higher living costs and large metropolitan areas often show higher salary estimates, but the salary of a specific city manager still depends heavily on the individual city. The following state figures are current salary estimates reported by Salary.com in September 2026 and are shown as annual average salary.
| State | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $107,298 |
| Alaska | $126,428 |
| Arizona | $113,803 |
| Arkansas | $105,511 |
| California | $128,823 |
| Colorado | $119,164 |
| Connecticut | $124,817 |
| Delaware | $118,276 |
| Florida | $110,510 |
| Georgia | $112,647 |
| Hawaii | $122,072 |
| Idaho | $109,026 |
| Illinois | $119,047 |
| Indiana | $112,110 |
| Iowa | $111,771 |
| Kansas | $111,210 |
| Kentucky | $109,902 |
| Louisiana | $111,047 |
| Maine | $113,873 |
| Maryland | $120,425 |
| Massachusetts | $127,106 |
| Michigan | $115,018 |
| Minnesota | $119,514 |
| Mississippi | $104,156 |
| Missouri | $110,965 |
| Montana | $110,264 |
| Nebraska | $110,031 |
| Nevada | $115,590 |
| New Hampshire | $118,071 |
| New Jersey | $126,592 |
| New Mexico | $108,174 |
| New York | $124,163 |
| North Carolina | $110,988 |
| North Dakota | $115,368 |
| Ohio | $113,721 |
| Oklahoma | $107,987 |
| Oregon | $118,603 |
| Pennsylvania | $116,267 |
| Rhode Island | $121,091 |
| South Carolina | $109,435 |
| South Dakota | $106,141 |
| Tennessee | $109,143 |
| Texas | $113,920 |
| Utah | $111,841 |
| Vermont | $114,632 |
| Virginia | $117,611 |
| Washington | $126,639 |
| West Virginia | $105,172 |
| Wisconsin | $114,889 |
| Wyoming | $112,004 |
According to this salary comparison, California, Massachusetts, Washington, New Jersey and Alaska are among the higher-paying states for City Managers. California is listed at about $128,823 per year, while Massachusetts is about $127,106 and Washington about $126,639. At the lower end of the state comparison, Mississippi is around $104,156, Arkansas around $105,511 and West Virginia around $105,172.
Highest Paying States for City Managers
When people search for the highest paying states for City Managers, California is one of the strongest results in the current salary comparison. This does not mean every California city manager earns the same amount. A manager working for a large city with a large population and complex services can earn much more than the state average.
California also has several metropolitan areas where city manager compensation is particularly high. Salary.com currently lists estimated average salaries of about $147,311 in San Jose, $145,698 in San Francisco and $142,628 in Oakland.
- California — about $128,823 average state salary
- Massachusetts — about $127,106
- Washington — about $126,639
- New Jersey — about $126,592
- Alaska — about $126,428
- Connecticut — about $124,817
- New York — about $124,163
- Hawaii — about $122,072
How Much Does a City Manager Make in California?
A City Manager salary in California is among the highest in the country. The current statewide estimate is about $128,823 per year. But California has a very wide range of city sizes, so actual compensation can move considerably above or below this number. Large cities and high-cost metropolitan areas generally have stronger salary packages because the manager may be responsible for a very large workforce, multi-million or billion-dollar budgets and complicated public infrastructure.
For someone searching how much does a city manager make in California, the better answer is that location inside the state matters almost as much as the state itself. San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland currently show some of the highest city-level salary estimates.
How Much Does a City Manager Make in Texas?
The City Manager salary in Texas is also relatively strong compared with many states. Current salary data places the Texas average at about $113,920 per year. Texas has many growing cities, and managers in larger communities may receive higher compensation than the state average.
The salary can also change based on whether the position is called City Manager, City Administrator or another chief local-government management title. In Texas, city managers can be responsible for a wide range of municipal services, including public works, finance, human resources, public safety coordination and long-term city planning.
What Does a City Manager Do?
A City Manager is basically the person who manages the day-to-day business of a city government. The mayor and city council usually deal with elected leadership and policy direction, while the city manager handles the professional administration and makes sure the approved plans actually get done.
The exact City Manager job duties are different from one city to another. A small city may have a manager working with a limited number of employees, while a large city manager can oversee many departments, large budgets, major infrastructure projects and hundreds or thousands of employees.
Professional local government managers are normally appointed by an elected governing body and work with the mayor and council. ICMA describes the manager as a professional, nonpartisan administrator who oversees daily operations and helps turn council goals into practical programs and services.
- Managing daily city government operations
- Working with the mayor and city council
- Preparing and managing the city budget
- Supervising department heads and senior staff
- Overseeing public services and municipal programs
- Managing city employees and human resources
- Planning infrastructure and capital improvement projects
- Reviewing contracts and major city purchases
- Working on economic and community development
- Answering questions and concerns from residents
- Preparing reports and presentations for the city council
- Making recommendations about city programs and policies
City Manager Responsibilities
The City Manager responsibilities can be wide because this is normally a senior executive position. The manager may be responsible for finance, public works, utilities, parks, planning, economic development and coordination with police and fire departments. In some cities, the manager also has direct authority over department heads and other senior employees.
Budget management is one of the most important parts of the job. A city manager may help prepare the annual operating budget, present it to the council, monitor spending and make sure city departments stay within approved financial plans. ICMA guidelines also identify preparation and administration of the council-approved budget as a central management responsibility.
The manager also has to think about things that may not become a problem today but could become a problem five or ten years later. Roads, water systems, public buildings, employee needs, housing, economic growth and changing community needs can all become part of the manager's planning work.
How Much Does a City Manager Make a Year?
If you are asking how much does a City Manager make a year, the current national salary estimate is around $116,793 per year. However, this is an average market estimate and not a fixed salary for every city manager.
Actual city manager pay can be much higher in some communities. For example, an ICMA-listed City Manager position in Statesboro, Georgia, posted in September 2026 has a salary range of $210,000 to $255,000. Another current City Manager opening in Douglas, Wyoming lists $140,000 to $180,000. This shows why city size, responsibility and experience matter a lot when looking at this career.
- Small cities may offer salaries below the national average.
- Medium-size cities can offer six-figure compensation.
- Large and high-budget cities may pay well above $150,000.
- Highly experienced city managers can receive $200,000 or more in some communities.
- Employment contracts can include benefits and other compensation in addition to base salary.
City Manager Salary by Experience
Experience is one of the biggest factors in City Manager salary. This is not normally a job where someone finishes college and immediately becomes the city manager. Most people first work in local government administration, finance, planning, public works or another management position and then move into higher leadership roles.
A person starting in an administrative or analyst position may earn much less than an experienced city manager. After becoming an assistant city manager or department director, salary can rise as the person takes responsibility for bigger programs and teams.
ICMA notes that many city and county managers build their careers through administrative positions and assistant manager roles. Practical local government experience is considered very important, not only the degree.
- Early career: Administrative, management analyst or local government positions.
- Mid career: Department director, assistant city manager or senior administrator.
- Experienced: City manager or chief administrative officer.
- Senior executive: Manager of a large city or complex local government organization.
For experienced managers, the salary negotiation can become a major part of the hiring process. ICMA recommends that executive compensation consider job requirements, community complexity, experience, comparable public-sector salaries, local cost of living and the organization's ability to pay.
City Manager Salary by City Size
There is no single salary rule saying a city manager must earn a certain amount based only on population. But city size can have a major effect on compensation. A manager of a city with a small population may manage a relatively small workforce and budget. A manager in a large city may be responsible for a much larger organization and more complicated public services.
This is one reason a City Manager salary by city search can give very different results even inside the same state. Two cities located only a few hours apart may have very different budgets, tax bases, employee counts and responsibilities.
- Population of the city
- Annual city budget
- Number of city employees
- Number of departments managed
- Complexity of public services
- Cost of living in the area
- Local economic conditions
- Manager's education and experience
- Scope of the employment contract
City Manager Salary and Benefits
The City Manager benefits package can be an important part of total compensation. The salary shown in a job posting is usually the base salary, while the complete employment package can include health insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave and other executive benefits.
Because city managers are senior government employees, compensation is often handled through an employment agreement with the city. The exact package depends on the local government and the terms negotiated with the manager.
- Health and medical insurance
- Retirement or pension benefits
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- Life insurance
- Professional development opportunities
- Deferred compensation in some positions
- Vehicle or vehicle allowance in some communities
- Relocation assistance for some executive hires
- Other benefits specified in the employment contract
Not every City Manager receives every benefit listed above. A candidate should always check the actual employment agreement and official job posting instead of assuming a benefit is included.
What Degree Do You Need to Become a City Manager?
People searching what degree do you need to become a City Manager will usually find public administration, business administration, political science and related fields among the common educational backgrounds.
A bachelor's degree is commonly required for City Manager positions, while a master's degree can be strongly preferred, especially for larger communities. ICMA says many professional local government managers hold degrees in public administration, political science or business, and master's degrees such as an MPA or MBA are increasingly common.
- Public Administration
- Business Administration
- Political Science
- Public Policy
- Finance
- Economics
- Urban Planning
- Related government or management fields
A Master of Public Administration (MPA) is especially useful because the program can cover public finance, government management, policy, budgeting and organizational leadership. An MBA may also be useful for candidates who have a strong management and financial background.
How to Become a City Manager
There is no one universal path to becoming a City Manager in the United States. Requirements are set by each local government, and the experience expected can be very different depending on the city.
A common career path starts with a bachelor's degree followed by an entry-level government administration or management position. After gaining experience, a person may become a management analyst, department manager, assistant department director or assistant city manager. From there, the person can compete for a City Manager position.
Some current City Manager job postings show how much experience can be expected. For example, a recent Douglas, Wyoming posting asks for master's-level public administration coursework and at least five years of local government experience with progressive supervisory responsibility. Another recent Statesboro, Georgia position asks for at least ten years of progressively responsible local government management experience, including five years as a department head or assistant city manager.
- Earn a bachelor's degree in a related field.
- Consider an MPA, MBA or related master's degree.
- Get experience inside local government.
- Build skills in budgeting and public finance.
- Learn employee and department management.
- Move into an assistant manager or department leadership position.
- Develop strong communication and public speaking skills.
- Build experience working with elected officials and communities.
- Apply for City Manager or Chief Administrative Officer positions.
City Manager Skills That Can Increase Salary
A good City Manager needs much more than government knowledge. This is a leadership job where the person may have to explain difficult financial decisions to residents in the morning, discuss an infrastructure project with engineers in the afternoon and present a budget to the council later in the day.
Strong management, communication and financial skills can therefore be very valuable. A city manager also needs to stay calm when there is public disagreement because many local government decisions directly affect people's daily life.
- Leadership and executive management
- Budget preparation and financial management
- Strategic planning
- Public speaking
- Negotiation and conflict management
- Human resources management
- Project management
- Economic development knowledge
- Public relations and community engagement
- Problem solving and decision making
- Knowledge of municipal laws and regulations
- Ability to work with elected officials
City Manager vs Mayor
City Manager vs Mayor is a common question because both positions can look like the top leadership job in a city. But the two positions are usually very different.
The mayor is generally an elected political leader, while a City Manager is normally a professional administrator appointed by the city council or other governing body. The manager focuses on administration and implementation, while the mayor's authority depends on the form of government used by that particular city.
In a council-manager form of government, the council makes policy decisions and appoints the professional manager to handle daily administration. ICMA describes the manager as the principal professional management position, with responsibility for implementing council-approved policies and supervising municipal administration.
- Mayor: Usually elected by voters.
- City Manager: Usually appointed by the city council.
- Mayor: Provides political leadership and represents the community.
- City Manager: Handles professional administration and daily operations.
- Mayor: Authority depends on the city's form of government.
- City Manager: Works under the direction of the governing body.
Is City Manager a Good Career?
For people who enjoy leadership, government, finance and community development, becoming a City Manager can be a strong career option. The pay can reach well into six figures, especially for experienced managers working in larger communities. The position also gives a person the chance to directly influence public services and long-term community development.
But it is not an easy job. City managers deal with budgets, employees, elected officials, residents, media, contractors and sometimes very difficult public issues. Decisions can be criticized from different sides, and the manager still has to keep the organization running.
So, the City Manager career can be financially attractive, but it is best for someone who is comfortable with responsibility, public accountability and long-term management rather than someone only looking for a high salary.
City Manager Salary Per Month
If you are searching for City Manager salary per month, the current average annual salary of $116,793 comes to about $9,733 per month. The monthly amount is simply an annual salary divided across 12 months, so actual paychecks can look different because of taxes, retirement contributions, insurance and other deductions.
At the lower end of the current common salary range, a City Manager earning around $106,245 would make about $8,854 per month. At the 75th percentile of $125,899, the monthly equivalent is about $10,492. This shows that a professional city manager can earn around ten thousand dollars per month or more in many higher-paying positions.
- Average annual salary: about $116,793
- Average monthly salary: about $9,733
- 25th percentile monthly pay: about $8,854
- 75th percentile monthly pay: about $10,492
- 90th percentile annual salary: about $134,190
City Manager Salary Per Hour
The current average City Manager salary per hour is about $56 an hour when the annual salary is converted to an hourly equivalent. The 25th percentile is around $51 per hour and the 75th percentile is around $61 per hour.
It is important to understand that this hourly number is mainly a way to compare annual salary with other jobs. City Managers are normally salaried executives and their working schedule is not necessarily based on a simple 40-hour work week. Meetings, public events, emergencies, council sessions and community issues can require work outside normal office hours.
How Much Does a City Manager Make in a Small City?
A City Manager salary in a small city can be lower than the national average, but there is no fixed small-city salary. A smaller community can still pay a very competitive salary if the manager has major responsibilities or if the local government is trying to attract an experienced professional.
Population is only one part of the salary decision. ICMA points out that compensation should also consider organizational size and complexity, the challenges facing the community, political and organizational conditions, cost of living, labor-market competition and the government's ability to pay.
- Population and geographic size
- City operating budget
- Number of employees
- Number of departments
- Local cost of living
- Experience expected from the manager
- Difficulty of the local government's current challenges
- Competition for qualified candidates
How Much Does a City Manager Make in a Large City?
A City Manager salary in a large city can be much higher than the national average because the job itself becomes more complicated. A large municipality may have a large workforce, major public infrastructure, multiple utilities, extensive public services and a very large annual budget.
ICMA notes that city and county managers can oversee organizations with hundreds or sometimes thousands of employees and budgets ranging from a few million dollars to hundreds of millions. This level of responsibility is one reason senior local-government managers can receive high executive compensation.
Large-city managers may also have to deal with economic development, housing, transportation, public safety, major construction projects and relationships with regional, state and federal agencies. So the salary is paying for management responsibility, not simply the job title.
Highest Paid City Managers
The highest paid City Managers in the USA are generally found in larger or more complex local governments, although there is no single national salary list that covers every city manager in exactly the same way.
Current City Manager job advertisements can show how high compensation can go. For example, a recent ICMA-listed position in Statesboro, Georgia, advertised a salary range of $210,000 to $255,000. That is considerably above the national average estimate and shows that experienced city managers can earn well into the $200,000 range.
These very high salaries should not be used as the normal salary for the occupation. They usually represent specific executive positions with larger responsibilities, stronger experience requirements or difficult recruitment conditions.
- Large population and organization size
- Large operating and capital budgets
- High level of executive responsibility
- Many years of local government management experience
- Advanced education and professional credentials
- High cost of living
- Competitive executive recruitment market
- Special challenges facing the community
City Manager Salary Factors
There are many things that can change a City Manager salary. It is not like a standard entry-level government job where everybody starts at a fixed pay grade. City Manager compensation is normally discussed and approved by the local governing body, often as part of an employment agreement.
ICMA recommends using comparable public-sector compensation and considering the requirements and complexity of the position, cost of living, labor-market conditions, community resources and the candidate's qualifications and experience.
- Experience: More senior local-government management experience can increase earning potential.
- Education: A master's degree can strengthen a candidate's qualifications for senior positions.
- City population: Larger communities often have more complex management needs.
- Budget size: Managing a very large budget can increase the level of responsibility.
- Employee count: Larger organizations require more executive management.
- Location: Cost of living and regional salary competition can affect pay.
- Community challenges: Difficult financial, infrastructure or growth issues can influence compensation.
- Contract terms: Salary and benefits may be negotiated as part of an employment agreement.
City Manager Employment Contract
A City Manager employment contract can be an important part of the compensation package. Unlike many normal jobs, a city manager's relationship with the governing body can change when elected leadership changes. For this reason, senior local-government executives often have written employment agreements covering salary, benefits, duties and termination terms.
ICMA provides model employment agreements and explains that these agreements can define the manager's duties and authorities as well as commitments between the manager, city and governing body.
The agreement may cover more than just the basic salary. Depending on the community and contract, it can include insurance, retirement benefits, leave, automobile arrangements, relocation assistance, professional development and severance provisions.
City Manager Salary and Retirement Benefits
Retirement can be an important part of the total compensation for a City Manager. Local governments may offer pension plans, defined-contribution retirement programs or other retirement arrangements. The exact system depends on the state and municipality.
An ICMA compensation survey of local government chief administrative officers found that retirement benefits were common, along with health insurance, life insurance and annual leave. The survey is older, so it should be treated as background rather than a current national benefit rate, but it shows the type of benefits often associated with these senior local government jobs.
- Pension or defined-benefit retirement plan
- 401(k), 401(a) or similar contribution plans
- 457 deferred compensation plans
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid vacation and annual leave
- Sick leave
- Disability coverage
City Manager vs City Administrator
City Manager vs City Administrator can be confusing because different cities use different titles for senior local-government executives. In some communities, City Administrator is effectively the top appointed administrative position. In other communities, the title and authority can be different.
The important thing is not only the title. A person researching a job should look at the actual job description, reporting relationship, budget authority, number of employees supervised and responsibilities assigned by the governing body.
- Both positions can manage daily municipal operations.
- Both may work directly with the mayor and city council.
- Both can oversee department heads and city staff.
- Both may prepare or manage the city budget.
- The exact authority depends on the local government's structure.
- Salary can vary significantly between municipalities even when titles are similar.
City Manager vs Town Manager
The difference between a City Manager and Town Manager is often more about the name of the municipality than the basic management concept. A town can hire a professional manager just like a city can. In both cases, the manager may be responsible for administration, budgets, employees, public services and implementation of governing-body decisions.
Because towns are often smaller, some town manager positions may have fewer employees and smaller budgets. But this is not always true. A growing town can have major development, infrastructure and financial responsibilities, so salary should always be judged from the actual position rather than the word "town."
City Manager Career Outlook
The career outlook for local government management is connected with the continuing need for professional people who can manage public organizations. Cities need people who understand budgeting, employees, technology, infrastructure, public services and strategic planning.
ICMA says the local government management skill set is transferable between jurisdictions and that many managers move between communities during their careers. The organization also notes that many people begin in local government as management or budget analysts before moving into higher management roles.
This means the career path does not always have to be one straight line. Someone may start as a budget analyst, move into department management, become an assistant city manager and later become a City Manager in another community.
Pros and Cons of Being a City Manager
Like any senior career, being a City Manager has good and difficult sides. The salary is attractive, but money is not the only thing to consider. This is a very public job and the person can be held responsible for problems that involve many departments.
Pros
- Six-figure salary is possible.
- Strong executive-level career path.
- Good government benefits in many positions.
- Opportunity to improve a local community.
- Management experience transfers to other local governments.
- Work can include many different areas instead of one narrow task.
- Experienced managers can compete for higher-paying communities.
Cons
- High level of public responsibility.
- Long or irregular working hours can happen.
- Public criticism can be part of the job.
- Political changes can affect the working environment.
- Job security may depend on the governing body.
- Major city problems can become the manager's responsibility.
- Moving between cities may be required for career growth.
Is Being a City Manager Worth It?
For someone who wants a senior career in public administration, being a City Manager can be worth it. The average salary is above $100,000, and experienced managers in larger communities can earn substantially more. The job can also provide strong benefits and a chance to work on projects that directly affect residents.
But this career is not for everybody. A City Manager needs patience, leadership, financial knowledge and the ability to work with people who may strongly disagree with each other. The manager also has to accept that public decisions are visible and sometimes controversial.
If a person likes government management and wants to make practical changes in a community, this can be one of the better-paid careers in local government.
City Manager Salary: Key Takeaways
The City Manager salary in the USA is currently estimated at around $116,793 per year, or about $9,733 per month and $56 per hour. But the average number does not tell the whole story. Salary can rise significantly with experience, city size, organizational complexity and the responsibilities attached to the position.
- Average U.S. City Manager salary: about $116,793 per year
- Average monthly pay: about $9,733
- Average hourly equivalent: about $56
- California is among the highest-paying states in the current state comparison.
- Large cities and complex local governments can pay substantially more.
- Experienced managers can reach $200,000+ in some executive positions.
- Public administration, business and political science are common educational backgrounds.
- Local government experience is very important for reaching the position.
- Benefits can include healthcare, retirement, leave and other executive compensation.
- City Manager pay is normally determined by the individual local government and employment agreement.
Final Thoughts on City Manager Salary
A City Manager is much more than a person sitting in a city office and signing papers. The position is responsible for helping an entire local government work properly, from budgets and employees to public services and long-term community projects. That responsibility is the main reason the salary can reach a strong six-figure level.
For people searching how much does a City Manager make, the simple answer is around $116,793 per year on the current national salary estimate. But an experienced professional working for a large or complex municipality can make far more. The best way to understand a specific City Manager salary is to look at the city, population, budget, job requirements and employment contract together rather than looking only at the national average.