Proposal manager salary guide: What you should earn in 2025

In 2025, engagement bid/proposal managers earn an average annual salary of nearly $99,490. This reflects the strong value organizations place on skilled professionals in this role. Proposal managers play a key part in business development. They often work alongside business development and contract managers to secure new opportunities and manage the proposal process.

Demand for proposal management roles continues to rise. Job postings across industries show steady hiring, making this a strong and growing career path.

Entry-level roles like proposal coordinator or proposal specialist start at around $55,000. With more experience, location advantages, and larger employers, proposal manager salaries can reach up to $125,000. The role’s impact on business growth keeps salaries competitive across sectors.

This guide will break down what you can expect to earn as a proposal manager in 2025. It covers salary ranges by experience, location, and company size. Whether you’re starting out or aiming to advance, understanding these trends will help you navigate your career path and negotiate better pay.

Understanding the proposal manager salary in 2025

The market for proposal professionals remains strong in 2025, with organizations continuing to value the skills that drive business acquisition. A thorough analysis of current compensation data across platforms like Indeed and Glassdoor reveals compelling insights into salary trends across the profession, including roles like RFP managers and bid managers.

Average salary in the US

In 2025, the average engagement bid/proposal manager salary spans a notable range according to multiple industry sources. Indeed reports an average base salary of $108,303 per year, Ladders places the average slightly higher at $118,492 annually. Glassdoor, a popular platform for salary information, estimates the average proposal manager salary at $106,332.

This variation stems from differences in data collection methodologies and the specific companies surveyed. Nevertheless, most credible sources (Glassdoor and likes) position the typical engagement bid/proposal manager's compensation between $90,000 and $120,000 per year. Many professionals also receive additional pay beyond base pay, contributing to a higher total pay package. Using a salary calculator can help you determine where your compensation falls within these ranges and perform a salary comparison with similar roles. Some companies may offer competitive salaries in the form of weekly pay to attract top talent in the field.

Salary range by job title and seniority

Experience significantly impacts earning potential in proposal management. Entry-level professionals with less than one year of experience, often starting as a proposal coordinator or proposal specialist, earn approximately $64,796. The proposal specialist's salary on Glassdoor typically ranges from $55,000 to $73,052, reflecting their role in assisting with proposal writing and coordination tasks.

At the senior level, compensation rises substantially. The senior proposal manager's salary commands an average of $131,342 annually, with top earners reaching $185,053. The career progression shows clear financial benefits and opportunities for economic advancement:

• RFP/Proposal writer salary: $81,248 average salary
• RFP/Proposal manager salary: $87,914 average salary
• RFP/Proposal bid manager salary: $107,540 average salary

For those aspiring to leadership roles, the bid director's salary can exceed $150,000 in some organizations, reflecting the strategic importance of the position. Other related roles include proposal team lead, proposal lead, and senior bid writer, each with varying salary ranges based on responsibilities and experience. The RFP manager's salary and the bid specialist's salary often fall within similar ranges, depending on the specific job responsibilities and industry.

How proposal manager’s pay compares to national averages

Proposal management remains a lucrative career path compared to national income standards. The median U.S. annual salary for individuals stands at $61,984, making the average engagement bid/proposal manager salary ($87,914) approximately 42% higher than what typical American workers earn.

This substantial difference underscores the specialized nature of proposal management work. Furthermore, the salary gap widens further at senior levels, where compensation packages can exceed $130,000, almost double the national median income.

Most proposal professionals earn between $65,412 and $118,000 (25th percentile to 75th percentile) according to Glassdoor, placing even mid-career professionals well above average earners in the general workforce. When considering hourly wage or monthly pay, engagement bid/proposal managers often earn significantly more than professionals in many other job categories.

Key factors that influence proposal manager pay

Several key variables determine what you'll earn as an engagement bid/proposal manager in 2025. Understanding these factors helps you negotiate better compensation and plan your career trajectory effectively. A thorough job analysis can provide insights into the specific qualifications and experience requirements that impact salary.

Experience and age progression

Your years in the field directly impact your earning potential. Entry-level proposal managers with less than one year of experience typically earn around $68,683 annually, while professionals with 1-4 years of experience see their earnings rise to approximately $77,205.

As you advance through your career, your salary increases steadily:

• 5-8 years of experience: $123,129
• Over 8 years of experience: $125,368

Age also correlates strongly with compensation levels. First-time RFP writers often earn nearly $8522 less than the industry average of $77,205, reflecting the value organizations place on seasoned professionals.

Industry Type

Certain industries offer substantially higher compensation. The top-paying sectors for proposal managers, according to Glassdoor, include:

• Energy, Mining & Utilities: $133,139
• Aerospace & Defense: $131,917
• Manufacturing: $127,810

Moreover, federal sector proposal managers earn approximately $100,000 annually, which exceeds the $82,000 median in commercial sectors. This premium reflects the complexity of government contracting and the specialized skills required in federal consulting, including managing bids for large-scale projects.

Location-based salary differences

Geographic location creates some of the most dramatic variations in engagement bid/proposal manager compensation. Location-based salary differences range from 3% for entry-level positions to as much as 90% for specialized roles.

The highest paying (annually) cities for proposal managers in the US, as per Indeed, include:

• Herndon, VA: $126,761
• Fairfax, VA: $122,471
• San Diego, CA: $122,069

Gender and diversity pay gaps in proposal management

Despite overall high salaries in proposal management, persistent pay disparities exist across gender and racial lines. Understanding these gaps is crucial for professionals navigating career advancement and salary negotiations.

Current gender-based salary disparities

The gender pay gap in proposal management follows troubling patterns seen across industries. Female engagement bid/proposal managers earn approximately 92 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. In real terms, this translates to female proposal managers earning an average of $82,390 compared to male earnings of $89,674 annually.

Career growth and long-term earning potential

The proposal management field offers clear advancement opportunities with substantial salary growth potential. Unlike many careers, proposal management presents well-defined progression steps for ambitious professionals, contributing to economic advancement in the field.

Typical career path from coordinator to director

Most professionals begin as proposal coordinators ($64,000-94,049) before advancing to specialists ($75,870-116,694) or writers ($79,196-118,225). Subsequently, they progress to engagement bid/proposal manager ($108,114-158,433), senior proposal manager ($131,232-184,506).

In practical terms, proposal managers typically earn ~69% more than coordinators but ~26% less than directors. One professional example documented a rapid six-year journey from coordinator to associate director level, demonstrating the potential for swift advancement in this field.

Maximizing your earning potential as a proposal manager

Navigating your career growth and compensation as an engagement bid/proposal manager calls for strategic thinking and proactive planning. Understanding the levers that influence salary, from your experience and expertise to the industries you serve, can help you make confident, informed decisions.

Strong negotiation skills are key. Whether you're in a job interview or an annual review, come prepared to showcase your impact. Be ready to speak to outcomes you’ve driven, like increased win rates, shortened proposal cycles, or measurable business contributions.

Professional certifications can also strengthen your position. They often signal credibility, commitment, and a deeper understanding of best practices, all of which are valuable to employers and can influence compensation conversations.

Industry specialization matters. If you’ve built expertise in high-value or highly regulated sectors, that experience is often seen as a premium, even if you transition into adjacent industries. It reflects adaptability and a depth of knowledge that generalists may not offer.

Location can play a significant role in compensation strategy. In some cases, relocating or working remotely under a location-agnostic policy can open up new salary opportunities. If flexibility exists in where or how you work, it may be worth exploring roles in regions or companies that offer stronger compensation packages.

Ultimately, optimizing your earning potential means taking a well-rounded approach:

• Keep track of your performance metrics and business impact
• Invest in certifications that align with your career goals
• Build deep expertise in niche or high-value sectors
• Research compensation trends ahead of reviews or negotiations
• Stay open to roles that offer flexibility, growth, and balance

And remember - base pay is just one piece of the puzzle. Career growth, benefits, autonomy, and culture can be equally important drivers of long-term job satisfaction and success.

Future trends that could impact proposal manager pay

Looking ahead, several emerging trends are poised to reshape engagement bid/proposal manager salary structures in the coming years. As the RFP landscape evolves, forward-thinking professionals must prepare for these shifts to maximize their earning potential.

The role of AI and automation in RFP processes

AI and automation are redefining the RFP process and with them, the expectations placed on proposal managers. Platforms like SiftHub are leading this shift by eliminating repetitive tasks, streamlining workflows, and enabling more intelligent, collaborative responses. As organizations adopt these technologies, the role of the proposal manager is becoming more strategic, requiring a deeper understanding of AI-powered tools and how to leverage them for competitive advantage.

Proposal professionals who embrace this shift with tools like SiftHub position themselves as forward-thinking contributors to revenue growth capable of driving efficiency, improving response quality, and scaling output across the sales cycle. As a result, their influence and earning potential is expected to rise in tandem with the adoption of next-gen RFP software. You can read more about RFPs here.