What is the Average Knowledge Manager Salary?
According to estimates from Glassdoor, the average knowledge manager salary in the US is $150,325. The salary estimates vary depending on several factors such as experience, location, and industry.
The requirement for knowledge manager jobs is expected to increase by 11% annually. It is a lucrative career path whose importance will only increase as more and more companies recognize the importance of dedicated knowledge managers for safeguarding and optimizing the use of their intellectual capital.
Knowledge Manager Salary by Location
Location affects salaries in two ways: cost of living and demand.
The cost of living depends on location and specifically on the cost of housing. This is partly why salaries in some urban areas, such as Silicon Valley and San Francisco, are higher than salaries for similar roles in other urban locations, such as Houston, Texas.
Job markets with higher demand allow professionals to demand higher levels of compensation. You can expect to receive a higher level of compensation in locations where the demand for your skillset and experience outweighs the supply.
One thing to note is that the adequate salary (minus the cost of living) is higher in areas where the wages are high but the average cost of living is low. In contrast, salaries in the highest-paying cities can be offset by the higher cost of living.
Another thing to note is that with the increase in remote work, many employers have shifted to role-based compensation rather than location-based. Again, research can help you target job markets where you can benefit from a high average salary and low expenses (cost of living).
To develop an accurate estimate of the practical knowledge manager salary, it makes sense to consider both the median wages and cost of living when reviewing knowledge manager salary offerings.
US West Coast
Median salaries for knowledge managers:
- Los Angeles: $147,333
- San Francisco: $191,113
- Seattle: $169,714
US Midwest/Rocky Mountains
Median salaries for knowledge managers:
- Chicago: $94,016
- Denver: $88,795
- Minneapolis: $96,082
US East Coast
Median salaries for knowledge managers:
- Boston: $112,625
- New York: $108,153
US South
Median salaries for knowledge managers:
- Atlanta: $83,000
- Dallas: $115,000
Australia
The median salary for knowledge managers in Australia is A$89,814. The average salary for knowledge managers in major Australian cities remains relatively close to the national average.
- Sydney: A$111,176
- Melbourne: A$74,450
- Canberra: A$88,085
- Perth: A$110,000
Australia’s average cost of living tends to be higher than the rest of the world. It is 7 percent higher than the cost of living in the U.S. Worldwide, Sydney ranks as the 34th most expensive city and Perth as the 71st.
New Zealand
The average salary for knowledge managers in New Zealand is NZ$98,000. Like Australia, the average knowledge manager salary in New Zealand’s major cities is similar to the national average.
Worldwide, Auckland ranks as the 67th and Christchurch as the 88th most expensive city.
Experience
The salary of a knowledge manager also depends on the level of experience. The total compensation – average base salary plus add-ons – for professionals with more experience falls in the higher salary ranges. The median knowledge manager salary for various experience levels is shown below:
- 0 to 1 year: $84,764
- 1 to 3 years: $87,105
- 4 to 7 years: $93,429
- 7 to 9 years: $101,583
- 10 to 14 years: $121,441
- 15+ years: $142,624
Education
Strictly speaking, a degree is not a requirement for knowledge manager roles. However, most organizations do prefer candidates with degrees.
College Degrees
Most universities don’t offer degrees in knowledge management. However, a business administration or information technology degree is highly beneficial for those interested in taking on the knowledge manager role.
According to surveys conducted by Zippia, the most common degree for knowledge managers is a Bachelor’s degree. Approximately 63% of knowledge managers have a Bachelor’s degree, 22% have a Master’s degree, and 2% have a Doctorate (Ph.D.).
Approximately 23% of knowledge managers major in business, 11% in English, 6% in Computer Science, and 6% in Computer Information Systems.
The level of education also affects salaries: Knowledge managers with a Master’s degree earn a median annual income of $126,274 compared to $115,976 for knowledge managers with a Bachelor’s degree.
Certifications
Certifications are another way a knowledge manager can improve credibility in the marketplace. Below, we highlight some of the valuable certifications for a knowledge manager.
Certified Knowledge Manager by TWHQ
The Knowledge Management Certification Course offered by Technical Writer HQ is designed to equip participants with a thorough understanding of knowledge management principles and techniques. This self-paced, online course covers topics like knowledge creation, organization, sharing, and application to enhance organizational effectiveness and foster innovation. Students engage with over 95 video lessons, complete assignments, and tackle quizzes.
They also undertake a capstone project, receiving instructor feedback to ensure content mastery. Upon completion, participants receive a certification, enhancing their credentials in knowledge management.
For more details, you can visit the course page.
Certified Knowledge Manager (CKM®)
The Certified Knowledge Manager (CKM®) is the Flagship Certification course from the Knowledge Management Institute (KMI).
The CKM is ideal for a knowledge manager tasked to lead or improve a Knowledge Management initiative. Whether public or private sector, large or small – the CKM is the leading international standard for all knowledge management professionals and the top choice for anyone interested in gaining a solid grasp of common KM principles at an advanced level with actual “hands-on” experience performing KM. There are no prerequisites, and no technical background is required.
IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL)
The ITIL Foundations Certification course is designed for all IT service and support staff members. It helps you understand how IT service and support can be best organized to align IT with business needs, improve service quality, and reduce long-term costs.
The main benefits of this ITIL certification for a knowledge manager are
- Understand the ITIL framework and its relationship with the 10 foundational processes and Service Desk function.
- Learn how ITIL processes can be utilized in organizations of any size.
- Promote a shared vision and language within the IT infrastructure.
Industry
Some industries have a higher demand for knowledge managers. If you have knowledge and experience in the following fields, companies are willing to pay for it.
- Management & Consulting: $128,631
- Financial Services: $124,511
- Aerospace & Defense: $123.460
- Information Technology: $121,643
- Government & Public Administration: $102,126
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about knowledge managers.
What is the Knowledge Manager Role?
Organizational knowledge is a vital asset. Organizations rely on knowledge management to safeguard this asset and to create a culture of knowledge sharing that ultimately benefits the business’s bottom line.
Professionals with a knowledge manager job title head a knowledge management department. Knowledge managers oversee and control all knowledge management aspects of a business. They lead a team of knowledge management professionals that develops and implements knowledge management systems. The systems are based on processes and procedures based on knowledge management best practices.
In coordination with the IT department, knowledge managers oversee the selection and implementation of electronic knowledge management tools for knowledge capture, storage, and sharing. Some examples of knowledge management tools are document management systems and content management systems.
How do you become a Knowledge Manager?
If you want to become a knowledge manager, the first step should be obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business management or a related discipline. A degree carries credibility in the job market and will also help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly.
Based on the degree, you can start your career at an entry-level position in the knowledge management department of an organization. After a few years of experience in the technical- and management-related aspects of knowledge management, and with continued education such as certifications, you can take on the role of a knowledge manager.
