Sustainability Manager Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$137,000
national median salary
$100,000 to $179,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $141,900 for Managers, All Other (SOC 11-9199) across the United States, based on 622,190 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$74,300
25th percentile
$102,880
Median
$141,900
75th percentile
$186,300
90th percentile
$238,270
Workers surveyed
622,190
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$136,550
May 2025 release
$141,900
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Managers, All Other (SOC 11-9199) rather than Sustainability Managerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 11-9199Highest Paying
$187,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$143,000
Boston, MA
Lowest Paying
$108,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 11-9199. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Sustainability Manager salary in the United States at $137,000 in 2026, within a range of $100,000 to $179,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $187,000, while Boston offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Industry sector, reporting framework expertise like GRI and SASB, and scope of responsibility create the widest pay gaps.
Sustainability Manager salary by city.
Skills that increase Sustainability Manager pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Sustainability Managers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $19,180 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$19,180 per year
≈ +$17,810 per year
≈ +$16,440 per year
≈ +$15,070 per year
≈ +$15,070 per year
≈ +$13,700 per year
≈ +$13,700 per year
≈ +$12,330 per year
What you should know.
Industry sector, reporting framework expertise like GRI and SASB, and scope of responsibility create the widest pay gaps. Managers at Fortune 500 companies overseeing enterprise-wide sustainability programs with regulatory compliance earn 25 to 40% more than those at smaller organizations.
Sustainability Coordinators start at $80,000 to $90,000. Managers leading programs and teams earn $100,000 to $120,000. Senior Directors of Sustainability reach $125,000 to $160,000, while Chief Sustainability Officers at major corporations command $180,000 to $300,000 in total compensation.
Annual bonuses of 10 to 20% tied to ESG metric achievement are common at large corporations. RSUs at public companies can add $15,000 to $40,000. Many roles include budgets for professional certifications and conference attendance.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Sustainability Managers typically earn $123,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Sustainability Manager pay.
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