Product Manager: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Product Managers earn a national median of $161,030/yr with 6.6% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Sales and Marketing, English Language, Administration and Management.

Median Salary

$161,030

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

6.6%

About as fast as average

Employed Nationally

384,980

2024 data

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Product Manager

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Product Manager candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Reading Comprehension 2 Active Listening 3 Speaking 4 Critical Thinking 5 Active Learning 6 Social Perceptiveness 7 Monitoring 8 Persuasion 9 Judgment and Decision Making 10 Negotiation

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Product Manager performance, based on verified occupational data.

Sales and Marketing English Language Administration and Management Customer and Personal Service Communications and Media

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Product Manager roles.

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Salesforce software Adobe Acrobat Adobe After Effects Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 6.6% for Product Manager roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
384,980
Projected Growth
6.6%
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree

Top Employers

Companies actively hiring for Product Manager roles, ranked by disclosure volume. Salaries reflect base pay from employer disclosure records.

Company Median Disclosed Salary Filings
Splunk Inc $150,000 1
The Walt Disney Company $125,362 1

Base salary only — excludes equity and bonuses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Product Manager do?
Product Managers apply expertise in Sales and Marketing, English Language, Administration and Management to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking.
How much does a Product Manager make?
The national median salary for a Product Manager is $161,030 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Product Manager a good career in 2026?
Employment for Product Manager roles is projected to grow 6.6% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 384,980 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Product Manager?
The typical entry-level education for a Product Manager is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Product Managers need?
The most important skills for Product Manager roles based on verified occupational data: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Social Perceptiveness, Monitoring, Persuasion, Judgment and Decision Making, Negotiation. Key tools and technologies include: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Salesforce software, Adobe Acrobat.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

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Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.