Ask Dave #004 — How Much Do Product Managers Actually Get Paid? 💰

Hey Friends! 👋

If you’re thinking about a career in product management, you’ve probably wondered:

🤔 How much do PMs actually make?

🤔 Does it pay better than other roles like software engineering or consulting?

🤔 What’s the long-term earning potential in PM?

Let’s break it down.

🌍 PM Salaries Depend on Where You Live

Product management salaries vary a lot based on location. The U.S. is the highest-paying market (especially San Francisco), but other regions offer solid compensation too.

Here’s how different countries compare:

• 🇺🇸 U.S. → $215K median, with top PMs making $413K+
• 🇬🇧 U.K. & Europe → $123K median
• 🇦🇺 Australia → $115K median
• 🇨🇳 China → $87K median
• 🇮🇳 India → $50K median

In San Francisco, the median jumps to $281K, and top PMs can hit $500K+. But remember, cost of living is insane there.