What does the average proposal manager make in 2025?
In our latest RFP Careers & Salaries Report, we asked 1,500+ teams about compensation, demographics, and day-to-day responsibilities, and the results were eye-opening. 👀 (Spoiler: One-third of proposal managers received a promotion last year.)
Read on to see if what you’re earning is on par with other professionals in your field. Plus, get tips on how to advocate for the raise you deserve.
Note: This article focuses on the 37% of respondents to our RFP Trends & Benchmarks survey whose job title is RFP manager or proposal manager.
The Average Proposal Manager Salary is…🥁
The average proposal manager salary in 2025 is $88,815 USD, with most professionals earning between $76,000 and $125,000 USD. That’s a noticeable drop from last year’s average of $96,626 USD. What’s behind the dip?
One explanation: smaller raises. According to Salary.com’s National Salary Budget Survey, the average salary increase in 2024 was 3.9%, down from 4.3% in 2023.
So, even though one-third of proposal managers were promoted in the past year (a slight uptick from 29% in 2023), those raises weren’t enough to maintain the average from the year prior. Nor boost it into six-figure territory.
Bottom line? It’s more important than ever to know your worth—more on that below.
For comparison, the average salary for all RFP roles is $94, 184 USD.
Proposal Managers Earn 19% More Than Writers
Of course, average pay varies by type of role, as well as seniority. Our research shows that as responsibilities increase, so too does pay. Those at the leadership level should expect to enter the six-figure range (at the low end), while proposal managers earn 19% more than writers on average.
| Type of Role | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| RFP/Proposal Writer | $73,129 USD |
| RFP/Proposal Manager | $88,815 USD |
| Marketing Leader/Executive | $109,744 USD |
The pay difference between proposal writers and proposal managers reflects their scope of influence. Proposal writers primarily focus on crafting winning RFP responses, whereas proposal managers oversee the bigger picture. They collaborate with cross-functional teams, streamline the RFP process, and drive consistent success across the entire proposal function.
In order of importance, here’s a breakdown of a proposal manager’s responsibilities:
- Response writing
- Response submission
- Content management
- RFP project management
- People management
- Answering questions
- Proposal design
- Process mapping
- Market analysis (or competitor analysis)
- Managing software or tools
- Capture planning
- Reporting results
Other Perks & Benefits for Proposal Managers
🏥 67% receive medical benefits
🌟 40% get a bonus for non-sales target reasons
🎯 35% get a bonus for hitting sales targets
🧑🍼 34% receive parental leave benefits
📈 21% have stock options
With that Salary, Are Proposal Managers Happy in Their Careers?
Yes, proposal managers seem to be happy in their careers, with nearly half (48%) saying they enjoy their work.
Of course, no job is without its challenges. Collaborating with SMEs is their biggest pain point (no surprise there), with not being able to find RFP answers quickly as a close second. Still, the overall outlook is positive. A majority (53%) say their stress levels are manageable, which likely contributes to their overall job satisfaction.
That might help explain why 66% of proposal managers plan to stay on this career path and work toward a more senior role. Chronic stress often dampens career motivation—but in this case, it’s not a major factor that’s holding them back.
Thumbs Up or Down? How Proposal Managers Feel About…
- Staying at their current company for more than a year 👍
- Having the tools and resources they need to do their job 👍
- Collaboration between the proposal and sales team 👍
- The overall efficiency of their RFP response process 👍
- How much their go/no-go process is followed 👍
- The overall quality of the RFP responses they submit 👍
How Do You Advocate for that Well-Earned Compensation Increase?
Asking for a raise isn’t easy–in fact, it can be downright uncomfortable. You might not know what’s reasonable to ask for or whether your contributions warrant more.
But here’s the thing—if you don’t speak up, you might miss out. When annual reviews roll around, staying silent could mean settling for an inflation raise (a.k.a cost of living adjustment), or even less. This can leave you feeling undervalued and unmotivated.
To advocate for the compensation you deserve, start with these steps:
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1. Know Your Worth
Research salary benchmarks specific to proposal managers in your industry, region, and company size. Use sources like Loopio’s RFP Careers & Salaries Report, Payscale, or LinkedIn Salary Insights to understand what others in similar roles are earning. This will give you a starting point for knowing what’s reasonable to ask for.
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2. Track Your Wins
Don’t just track your RFP win rate—look for metrics that tell the full story of your impact. For example, a low average response time signifies operational efficiency. High team satisfaction scores reflect strong leadership. Use these kinds of data points to build a well-rounded, compelling case for your value to the organization.
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3. Choose the Right Moment
Timing matters. Bring up your compensation during annual reviews, after a major RFP win, or when your role has grown significantly. When you do, be ready with research, key accomplishments, a clear ask, and confidence. And remember, focus on the value you bring—not just your desire for more money.
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4. Keep Your Options Open
At the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you. If you feel like you’ve reached the ceiling with your current salary, it might be time to explore new opportunities. Not that we’re suggesting it 😉, but job interviewing can be a great way to negotiate higher pay at a new company—or used as leverage at your current one.
As a proposal manager, you may also play a role in facilitating raises for other members on your team. Understanding what it’s like to be in their shoes, you can set the tone by normalizing conversations about salaries alongside professional growth.
Good Salaries, But Still Plenty of Room to Improve
Proposal managers earn competitive salaries, but as their role continues to evolve and take on more strategic responsibilities, their compensation should better reflect the increased impact. It’s time for the industry to recognize the full value of proposal managers and ensure their pay keeps pace with the expanding scope of their work.
So, how can you do your part?
Download the RFP Careers & Salaries Report👇 to understand current benchmarks, normalize salary transparency within your professional network, and advocate for the compensation you—and your team—deserve.