Project Management Specialist Salary in State College, PA
Project Management Specialists in the State College, PA metro area earn a median $81,820 a year — 20% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,878 take-home, or $5,323 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median project management specialist salary in State College, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,170
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,073
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,186
- Pennsylvania income tax$2,512
- Take-home pay$63,878
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.07% state
Project Management Specialist pay by experience in State College, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,880 | $24.46 | $41,500 | $3,458 |
| 25th percentile | $64,810 | $31.16 | $52,265 | $4,355 |
| Median (50th) | $81,820 | $39.34 | $63,878 | $5,323 |
| 75th percentile | $107,900 | $51.88 | $81,425 | $6,785 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,930 | $62.95 | $96,737 | $8,061 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,820 buys in State College, PA
Prices in State College, PA are 3.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 14% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median project management specialist's $63,878 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,016 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Project Management Specialist jobs are about as common in State College, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.99).
Best-paying cities for project management specialists, adjusted for cost of living
State College, PA ranks #202 of 209 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peoria, IL | $123,730 | $89,856 | $98,492 |
| 2 | Kennewick, WA | $125,940 | $97,346 | $97,269 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $130,380 | $100,381 | $90,325 |
| 4 | Huntsville, AL | $112,130 | $82,372 | $88,503 |
| 5 | Beaumont, TX | $100,470 | $79,511 | $88,300 |
| 6 | Davenport, IA | $102,880 | $77,948 | $87,505 |
| 7 | Rochester, MN | $106,270 | $77,888 | $85,760 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $122,040 | $90,019 | $85,568 |
| 202 | State College, PA | $81,820 | $63,878 | $66,016 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 209 metros →
Project Management Specialist salaries elsewhere in Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, PA — $99,320
- York, PA — $100,170
- Erie, PA — $93,590
- Reading, PA — $98,040
- Philadelphia, PA — $104,160
- Allentown, PA — $100,050
- Harrisburg, PA — $97,850
- Scranton, PA — $91,820
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in State College, PA?
The median project management specialist salary in the State College, PA metro area is $81,820 a year, or about $39.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $64,810 and $107,900.
What is a project management specialist’s take-home pay in State College, PA?
On the median $81,820 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $63,878 a year ($5,323 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,512 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is State College, PA a good place to work as a project management specialist?
Pay here is 20% below the national median of $102,320. Local prices are 3.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,016 would in a typical U.S. city. State College, PA ranks #202 of 209 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a project management specialist afford rent in State College, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in State College, PA is $1,194 a month ($1,406 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median project management specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in State College, PA
- Accountant and Auditor — $73,040