Project Manager in Wichita Falls, TX

The Salary Picture: Where Wichita Falls Stands

Let's cut right to the numbers. As a Project Manager in Wichita Falls, you're operating in a market that offers a strong value proposition. The median salary for the role here is $97,907/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $47.07/hour. It's important to understand what this means in context. Nationally, the average Project Manager earns $101,280/year, meaning Wichita Falls sits slightly below the national average. However, this gap is almost entirely explained by the city's significantly lower cost of living.

The local job market is tight but stable. There are currently 205 Project Manager positions in the metro area, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 6%. This isn't explosive growth, but it's steady and sustainable, reflecting the region's reliance on established industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and defense.

To give you a clearer picture of how experience translates into pay here, I've broken down the salary bands based on local market data and BLS trends.

Experience Level	Typical Title	Estimated Annual Salary Range	Key Local Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-3 years)	Project Coordinator, Junior PM	$65,000 - $80,000	Assisting senior PMs, tracking schedules, managing documentation, stakeholder communication.
Mid-Career (4-8 years)	Project Manager, Senior PM	$85,000 - $110,000	Leading full project lifecycles, budget oversight, cross-functional team management.
Senior-Level (9-15 years)	Senior PM, Program Manager	$110,000 - $135,000	Managing large-scale programs, strategic planning, risk management, mentoring junior staff.
Expert/Leadership (15+ years)	Director of PMO, Program Director	$135,000+	Overseeing the entire PMO, setting departmental strategy, executive reporting, portfolio management.

Insider Tip: The $97,907 median is a solid anchor. If you're a mid-career PM with a PMP certification and experience in a high-demand sector like healthcare or aerospace, you can command a salary at the upper end of that mid-career bracket, possibly even approaching the senior range. The lower cost of living means you have more negotiating power for benefits like additional PTO or a flexible work schedule, which can be just as valuable as base salary.

When you compare us to other Texas cities, Wichita Falls holds a unique position. It's not competing with the high-cost, high-salary hubs of Austin or Dallas. Instead, it offers a lifestyle-friendly alternative. You won't find the $101,280 national average here, but your $97,907 will stretch much further than it would in a city where the median salary might be $120,000 but a one-bedroom apartment costs $2,000/month.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get practical. Earning a median salary of $97,907 doesn't mean you take home that amount. After federal taxes, Social Security, and Medicare (FICA), a single filer can expect to take home roughly $74,000 - $78,000 annually, or about $6,167 - $6,500 per month, depending on deductions.

Now, factor in rent. The average cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Wichita Falls is $843/month. Let's break down a monthly budget for a Project Manager earning the median.

Monthly Expense	Estimated Cost	Notes & Local Context
Take-Home Pay	$6,300	(After taxes, median value)
Rent (1BR)	$843	Well below the US average. A nice 1BR in a good area won't break $950.
Utilities	$200	Electricity, water, gas, internet. Summer AC bills can spike.
Groceries	$450	Competitive prices at H-E-B, Market Street, and local farmers' markets.
Car Payment/Insurance	$550	Essential in a car-dependent city. Insurance is lower than coastal cities.
Gas/Transport	$250	Average commute is short, but you'll drive everywhere.
Health Insurance	$350	Varies by employer; this is a common premium contribution.
Miscellaneous	$1,000	Dining out (lots of great local BBQ & Tex-Mex), entertainment, savings, debt.
Total Expenses	$3,643
Remaining / Savings	$2,657	Over $2,600/month for savings, investments, or a mortgage payment.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With $2,657 in discretionary income after a comfortable budget, buying a home is very feasible. The median home price in Wichita Falls is approximately $175,000. A 20% down payment is $35,000. With your savings rate, you could feasibly save for a down payment in 12-15 months. A 30-year mortgage on a $140,000 loan (after a $35k down payment) at current rates would be around $900 - $1,100 per month, plus taxes and insurance. This is often comparable to or even less than renting a larger home.

Where the Jobs Are: Wichita Falls's Major Employers

The job market is anchored by a few key sectors. While you won't find the tech startup scene of Austin, you'll find stable, well-funded organizations that value experienced project management.

1. Sheppard Air Force Base (SAFB): As one of the largest training bases in the Air Force, SAFB is a massive employer. They hire PMs directly as civilians (GS employees) and through a dense network of defense contractors. Focus areas include aviation training programs, facility construction, and IT system implementations. Hiring is constant but can be slow due to federal processes.

2. United Regional Health Care System: The region's primary hospital network. They are constantly running projects for new medical wings, electronic health record (EHR) migrations, and process improvement initiatives. PM roles here often require healthcare-specific knowledge (like HIPAA compliance) and experience with large-scale clinical systems.

3. Midwestern State University (MSU): A growing public university that invests in campus infrastructure and technology. They hire PMs for building projects, IT upgrades (like new learning management systems), and program development. It's a great environment for PMs who prefer an academic setting.

4. The City of Wichita Falls: The municipal government manages a constant stream of public works projects, from water treatment plant upgrades to park renovations and public safety communications systems. These jobs offer excellent benefits and stability but often require navigating public procurement and stakeholder management with city council and residents.

5. Major Energy & Industrial Companies: Companies like Crown Cork & Seal (packaging) and Tyson Foods (processing plant) have significant facilities in the area. They need PMs to manage operational efficiency projects, equipment installation, and supply chain logistics. This is a core part of the local manufacturing base.

6. Texas Health & Human Services Commission: With offices in the city, HHSC manages large-scale IT and process projects for public health and social services programs across the region.

Hiring Trend Insight: The trend is toward project managers with hybrid skills. A PM who can handle a construction project for a new clinic (United Regional) and also manage the IT integration for the new facility is highly valuable. The defense sector (SAFB) is always looking for PMs with security clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas does not have a state-specific license required to practice as a Project Manager. Unlike professions like engineering or architecture, you don't need a state board certification. However, the industry standard—and what employers overwhelmingly prefer for mid-to-senior roles—is the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI).

The Process & Costs:

1. Meet Eligibility: You need either a four-year degree with 36 months of leading projects and 35 hours of project management education, or a high school diploma with 60 months of leading projects and the same education hours.
2. Complete Training: Many local community colleges (like North Texas Central College in Wichita Falls) and online providers offer the required 35-hour training course. Cost: $300 - $1,000.
3. Apply & Sit for the Exam: The PMP exam fee for PMI members is $405 (non-members: $555). PMI membership itself is $129/year + $10 application fee.
4. Maintain Certification: You must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years to keep your PMP active.

Timeline: From starting study to earning your PMP, expect a 3-6 month process, depending on your study pace. If you're starting from scratch, you can budget $800 - $1,500 for training, exam, and membership.

Insider Tip: While not required, having your PMP is often a de facto requirement for jobs at United Regional, the City, and major contractors. For roles at SAFB, it can be a significant differentiator. Start the process before you move if you can.

Best Neighborhoods for Project Managers

Wichita Falls is a car-centric city, but your choice of neighborhood affects your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a local’s guide:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Average 1BR Rent	Best For...
Central / Downtown	Historic, revitalizing, walkable to cafes and the River Creek Trail. Commute to the core is under 10 mins.	$850 - $1,100	Young professionals who want a short commute and a bit of nightlife.
Northwest	Established, family-friendly, excellent public schools. Commute to SAFB or central offices is 10-15 mins.	$900 - $1,200	PMs with families or those who prioritize school districts and quiet streets.
Southwest / Scotland Park	Older, more affordable, close to MSU and Lake Wichita Park. Commute is 10-20 mins to most employment centers.	$700 - $950	Budget-conscious professionals or those who want quick access to parks and the lake.
Eastside / Near Sheppard AFB	Convenient for base employees, with a mix of older and newer developments. Commute to SAFB is under 10 mins.	$750 - $1,000	PMs working at or near the base who want to minimize daily drive time.
Burkburnett / North	A separate small town 15 mins north of WF. More rural, larger lots, very low cost of living.	$700 - $900	PMs who prefer a small-town feel with a short commute to the city.

Neighborhood Pro Tip: Traffic in Wichita Falls is minimal. You can live in almost any neighborhood and still have a reasonable commute (typically 10-20 minutes). The trade-off is between the urban feel of Central, the school quality of Northwest, and the affordability of Southwest. Most PMs I've met prioritize a short drive to the office over a specific "scene."

The Long Game: Career Growth

With a 6% 10-year job growth, Wichita Falls is not a boomtown, but it offers a clear path for advancement if you're strategic. Growth here is less about jumping between startups and more about deepening expertise and expanding responsibility within the region's core industries.

• Specialty Premiums: You can earn a salary premium by developing niche expertise. For example, a PM with a PMP and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification is highly sought after by manufacturing firms like Crown Cork & Seal. A PM with experience in federal contracting and security clearance can command a premium of 10-15% above the median, especially for SAFB-related projects. Healthcare IT project management (EHR systems) also carries a premium.
• Advancement Paths: A typical path might look like this: Project Coordinator at a mid-sized company -> Project Manager at United Regional (handling clinic rollouts) -> Senior Program Manager at Sheppard AFB (overseeing a multi-year training program) -> Director of the PMO at a local industrial firm or the City of Wichita Falls. The key is to build a portfolio that mixes project types (IT, construction, process).
• 10-Year Outlook: The 6% growth ensures steady demand. The major wildcards are defense spending (affecting SAFB and its contractors) and the expansion of the healthcare sector (driven by regional population growth). A PM who can adapt to these macro-trends will be well-positioned. The low cost of living also allows for a strategic move to a higher-paying city later with a financial cushion, if desired.

Insider Tip: The most successful PMs in Wichita Falls are "generalist specialists." They have a broad PM skill set but anchor it in one local industry. For example, a PM who understands both construction and IT can thrive on facility expansion projects for the hospital system.

The Verdict: Is Wichita Falls Right for You?

Deciding on Wichita Falls is a trade-off between affordability and amenities. It's not for everyone, but for a particular type of professional, it's an excellent choice.

Pros	Cons
Extremely Low Cost of Living: Your $97,907 salary provides a life of financial comfort and the ability to save aggressively or buy a home quickly.	Limited Cultural & Entertainment Scene: Compared to Austin, Dallas, or even Fort Worth, options for concerts, major league sports, and diverse dining are limited.
Stable Job Market: Anchored by government (SAFB, City), healthcare (United Regional), and education (MSU), the market is resilient to economic cycles.	Geographic Isolation: It's a 2-hour drive to Dallas/Fort Worth and 3.5 hours to Oklahoma City. Travel often requires a connection.
Short Commutes: A 10-15 minute commute is the norm, freeing up significant personal time.	Slower Pace of Life: The city moves at a deliberate, sometimes slow, pace. This can be a pro or a con depending on your personality.
Community Feel: It’s easy to build a network and feel connected. You’re not an anonymous face in a crowd.	Limited High-Skill Job Diversity: If your career path is in tech, finance, or media, you will find far fewer opportunities.
Outdoor Access: Easy access to lakes (Lake Wichita), parks, and hunting/fishing. The weather is generally favorable.	Hot, Dry Summers: August is consistently over 100°F, which can be draining if you're not used to it.

Final Recommendation:
Wichita Falls is an ideal choice for a mid-career Project Manager who prioritizes financial stability, homeownership, and a manageable work-life balance over a bustling urban lifestyle. If you value knowing your neighbors, having a short commute, and being able to save over $2,600 a month while enjoying a comfortable lifestyle, this city delivers. It’s less suitable for a young professional seeking a vibrant nightlife or someone whose career requires a dense ecosystem of tech startups and specialized industries. For the right person, it’s a place where a $97,907 salary doesn't just cover the bills—it builds a life.

FAQs

1. Is it hard to find a Project Manager job in Wichita Falls without local experience?
It's not easy, but it's possible. The key is to highlight transferable skills from your current industry. If you're in manufacturing, target companies like Crown or Tyson. If you're in IT, look at the City of Wichita Falls or United Regional for digital transformation projects. Having your PMP will help overcome the lack of local ties. Apply 2-3 months before a planned move.

2. What's the real estate market like for buying a home on a PM's salary?
Very favorable. As outlined above, a median salary comfortably supports a home purchase. The market is not as competitive as major metros, with more inventory and less bidding wars. It's a buyer-friendly environment for a professional with stable income, especially if you have a down payment saved.

3. How important is a security clearance for jobs at Sheppard AFB?
For civilian GS positions, it's often required and you must be a U.S. citizen. For contractor jobs, many are "cleared" but some are "uncleared" and work on projects that don't require it. If you don't have a clearance, focus on contractor roles that state "ability to obtain a clearance" is a plus, and work on getting your PMP first. The process to obtain a clearance can take 6-12 months.

4. What's the dating/social scene like for a single Project Manager in their 30s-40s?
It's what you make of it. The social scene is centered around hobbies: sports leagues, church groups, running clubs, and local events at places like The Falls. It's not a "swipe-right" city; building a social circle happens through shared interests and work. You'll meet people through your job, gym, or local community events. Be prepared to be more proactive about socializing.

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