US
Akron, OH
Ohio salary market
$112K
Avg / Year
+11% vs U.S.
vs National
1,990
Employment
$9.3K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Project Management Specialist Salary in Akron, OH (2026)

The Project Management Specialist salary in Akron, OH for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Akron, OH market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Akron, OH city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$112K
per year
Entry Level
$65.3K
starting range
Senior Level
$149K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$114K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$9.3K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$47
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
Advertisement
Advertisement

Project Management Specialist Salary Overview in Akron, OH

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Project Management Specialist pay in Akron, OH at about $111,585 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $57,550.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $158,280.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Akron, Oh metropolitan area.

If you’re comparing Project Management Specialist salaries in Akron, OH, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Akron, OH vs. U.S. National Average

Akron, OH pays +11% vs u.s. for Project Management Specialist roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$101K
all U.S. markets combined
+11%
Akron, OH Premium
Akron, OH City Average
$112K
Project Management Specialist
MarketProjected Salaryvs Akron, OHMarket Maturity
Akron, OH (this guide)$111,585BaselineLocal market
United States$100,750-10% vs U.S.National baseline
Dayton, OH$101,180-9% vs U.S.Comparable city
Columbus, OH$100,640-10% vs U.S.Comparable city
Cincinnati, OH$97,090.0-13% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Akron, OH pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Project Management Specialist Salary by Experience Level in Akron, OH

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Akron, OH, this breakdown shows how aProject Management Specialist can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$83.4K
$54/hr median equivalent
$65.3K - $112K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$112K
$54/hr median equivalent
$83.4K - $149K
Senior
6-10 years
$149K
$54/hr median equivalent
$112K - $180K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$180K
$54/hr median equivalent
$149K - $219K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Project Management Specialist0-2 years$83,354.0$65,275.0 - $111,585-17% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Project Management Specialist3-5 years$111,585$83,354.0 - $148,685+11% vs U.S.
Senior Project Management Specialist6-10 years$148,685$111,585 - $179,525+48% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Project Management Specialist10+ years$179,525$148,685 - $219,021+78% vs U.S.
Advertisement

Best Salary Areas Near Akron, OH

Nearby metro areas help show how Project Management Specialist pay changes around Akron, OH. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Akron, OH
$112K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Akron, Oh metropolitan area.
This guide
#2
Dayton, OH
$101K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Project Management Specialist salaries around Akron, OH.
-9% vs U.S.
#3
Columbus, OH
$101K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Project Management Specialist salaries around Akron, OH.
-10% vs U.S.
#4
Cincinnati, OH
$97.1K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Project Management Specialist salaries around Akron, OH.
-13% vs U.S.
#5
Cleveland, OH
$93.9K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Project Management Specialist salaries around Akron, OH.
-16% vs U.S.

Project Management Specialist Salary by Industry in Akron, OH

Industry premiums in Akron, OH usually come from employers that place the Project Management Specialist role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Utilities$127,550$77,540.0 - $172,710Stronger salary
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction$124,210$65,150.0 - $181,660Stronger salary
Management of Companies and Enterprises$114,660$70,030.0 - $167,920Stronger salary
Finance and Insurance$111,350$69,360.0 - $169,870Competitive
Information$109,740$64,990.0 - $183,660Competitive
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$106,130$61,490.0 - $172,390Competitive
Manufacturing$101,920$60,610.0 - $166,700Competitive
Transportation and Warehousing$98,870.0$56,480.0 - $157,720Competitive

Entry-Level Project Management Specialist Salary in Akron, OH

Entry-level Project Management Specialist jobs in Akron, OH are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Project Management Specialist salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Project Management Specialist roles in Akron, OH is about $83,354.0.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Project Management Specialist Pay in Akron, OH

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Project Management Specialist candidates in Akron, OH. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$111,585
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$113,817
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$109,353Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$113,817Metro dependentAkron, OH employersMedium
Onsite$111,585Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Akron, OH

A salary in Akron, OH should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.5K
$2.0K
$2.6K
Transport / commute
$325.5
$372.0
$418.4
Food and groceries
$697.4
$743.9
$836.9
Utilities and internet
$325.5
$372.0
$418.4
Estimated remainder
$3.2K
$4.8K
$6.0K
Advertisement

Top Employers Hiring Project Management Specialists in Akron, OH

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Project Management Specialist pay tends to be strongest in Akron, OH, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Utilities employers
$128K
Industry benchmark for Project Management Specialist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction employers
$124K
Industry benchmark for Project Management Specialist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$115K
Industry benchmark for Project Management Specialist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Finance and Insurance employers
$111K
Industry benchmark for Project Management Specialist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Information employers
$110K
Industry benchmark for Project Management Specialist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$106K
Industry benchmark for Project Management Specialist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Akron, OH Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherAkron, OH is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Project Management Specialist work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Akron, OH
This guide
$112K
Baseline
Dayton, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$101K
-9% vs U.S.
Columbus, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$101K
-10% vs U.S.
Cincinnati, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$97.1K
-13% vs U.S.
Cleveland, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$93.9K
-16% vs U.S.
Springfield, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$87.8K
-21% vs U.S.
Lima, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$86.9K
-22% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Akron, OH

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$58.4K - $78.6K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$72.5K - $95.7K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$90.7K - $113K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$109K - $141K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$129K - $163K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$151K - $207K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 5.6% from 2024 to 2034.
Faster than averageAnnual openings: 78.2 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment1,046.3k → 1,105k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor1,990 jobs with a median of $111,585

Factors Affecting Project Management Specialist Salary in Akron, OH

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Project Management Specialist Salary in Akron, OH

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
Advertisement

Project Management Specialist Salary in Akron, OH: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Project Management Specialist" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Project Management Specialist in Akron, OHs salary?
The latest national baseline for Project Management Specialists is about $100,800 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Project Management Specialist in Akron, OHs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Project Management Specialists are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $59,800 per year nationally.
How much can senior Project Management Specialist in Akron, OHs professionals earn?
Senior Project Management Specialists estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $131,700 per year nationally.
Does location affect Project Management Specialist in Akron, OHs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Project Management Specialist in Akron, OHs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
Salary Anchor Ad
Salary Anchor Ad