The Ultimate Guide to a Control Account Manager Salary at...

Are you a meticulous planner with a knack for numbers and a passion for seeing complex, high-stakes projects succeed? Do you envision yourself at the financial helm of groundbreaking initiatives in defense, energy, and advanced technology? If so, a career as a Control Account Manager (CAM), particularly at a prestigious organization like General Atomics in San Diego, might be your ideal destination. This role is not just a job; it's a critical function that ensures billion-dollar projects stay on track, on budget, and on schedule, making it one of the most vital and rewarding positions in project-driven industries.

The compensation for such a critical role is, as you might expect, substantial. A Control Account Manager at General Atomics in San Diego can expect a highly competitive salary, often ranging from $110,000 to over $185,000 annually, depending on experience, specific qualifications, and the complexity of the projects they manage. But the salary figure alone is just the tip of the iceberg.

I once worked alongside a senior program director on a notoriously complex aerospace program. Halfway through, scope creep and unforeseen technical hurdles threatened to derail our budget entirely. It wasn't the top-level executives who saved the day; it was the quiet, diligent Control Account Manager who had meticulously tracked every single dollar and every earned value metric. Her early warnings and precise variance analyses gave us the data we needed to pivot, renegotiate, and ultimately deliver the project successfully. It was a powerful lesson in how the CAM is the true financial guardian of a project's success.

This guide will serve as your definitive resource, exploring every facet of the Control Account Manager career path, with a specific focus on the opportunities at General Atomics in the strategic hub of San Diego. We will dissect salary expectations, uncover the factors that drive compensation, map out your career trajectory, and provide a step-by-step plan to help you land this prestigious role.

### Table of Contents

[What Does a Control Account Manager Do?](#what-does-a-control-account-manager-do)
[Average Control Account Manager Salary: A Deep Dive](#average-control-account-manager-salary-a-deep-dive)
[Key Factors That Influence Your Salary](#key-factors-that-influence-your-salary)
[Job Outlook and Career Growth for CAMs](#job-outlook-and-career-growth)
[How to Become a Control Account Manager](#how-to-get-started-in-this-career)
[Is a CAM Career at General Atomics Right for You?](#conclusion)

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What Does a Control Account Manager Do?

A Control Account Manager (CAM) is the single point of authority and accountability for managing the cost, schedule, and technical performance of a specific, discrete segment of a project, known as a "control account." Think of a massive government contract to build a new drone system. That overall project is broken down into smaller, manageable pieces—the propulsion system, the surveillance package, the software, the fuselage. The CAM is the designated owner of one of these pieces.

They operate at the critical intersection of project management, finance, and engineering. While the Program Manager oversees the entire project, the CAM is deep in the trenches, ensuring their specific part of the puzzle is executed flawlessly. Their primary framework for doing this is Earned Value Management (EVM), a systematic project management process required on most large government contracts. EVM is used to find variances in projects based on the comparison of work performed to work planned.

Core Responsibilities of a Control Account Manager:

Budgeting and Planning: The CAM works with the project team to establish a detailed, time-phased budget and schedule for their control account, creating a Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB).
Performance Measurement: They diligently track the work being performed and measure it against the plan. This involves quantifying "earned value"—the value of the work completed to date.
Variance Analysis: This is the heart of the CAM's role. When deviations occur—when costs are higher than budgeted for the work performed (Cost Variance) or the project is behind schedule (Schedule Variance)—the CAM is the first to know. They must investigate the root cause of the variance. Was it an under-bid, a technical problem, an inefficient process, or a supplier delay?
Forecasting and Reporting: Based on current performance and future plans, the CAM develops a new financial forecast, known as an Estimate at Completion (EAC). They must formally report on their control account’s status, variances, root causes, and corrective action plans to program management.
Corrective Action: The CAM is responsible for developing and implementing action plans to mitigate the impact of any negative variances and get the project back on track.
Change Management: When changes to the scope of work are required, the CAM manages the process of re-planning and re-budgeting their control account, ensuring full traceability.

### A Day in the Life of a CAM at General Atomics

To make this more concrete, let's imagine a typical day for a CAM managing the "Sensor Integration" control account for a new reconnaissance drone program at General Atomics.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Data Review & Status Check. The day begins not with coffee, but with data. The CAM logs into the company's project management software (like Oracle Primavera P6 or Deltek Cobra) to review the latest cost reports from the finance department and progress updates from the engineering team. They are checking for any new variances that have appeared since yesterday.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Integrated Project Team (IPT) Meeting. The CAM meets with the engineers, schedulers, and supply chain specialists responsible for the sensor integration work. They discuss the previous week's progress, identify upcoming roadblocks, and review the plan for the next two weeks. If a part from a supplier is late (a potential schedule variance), the CAM presses for a recovery plan.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Variance Analysis. A cost report shows that labor hours for software testing are 15% over budget. The CAM pulls the lead software engineer aside to understand why. They discover a complex bug required an extra 40 hours of senior-level developer time to fix. The CAM documents this as the root cause for the variance report.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch & Networking. Often, this is a working lunch with other CAMs or a financial analyst to discuss best practices or shared resource issues.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Report Generation & Forecasting. This is "heads-down" time. The CAM updates their formal Variance Analysis Report (VAR), explaining the software testing issue, its cost impact, and the corrective action (none needed, as it was a one-time event, but it must be explained). They also update their EAC for the control account based on this new information.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Program Management Review. The CAM presents their control account's status to the Program Manager and other key stakeholders. They must confidently and clearly explain their performance, justify any variances, and defend their forecast. Strong communication and data-driven arguments are essential here.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Planning & Follow-Up. The CAM spends the last hour of the day responding to emails, updating their detailed work plan, and coordinating with the scheduler to ensure the master project schedule reflects the latest status of their control account.

This role is demanding and requires an individual who is both analytical and an excellent communicator, comfortable holding technical experts accountable to financial and schedule commitments.

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Average Control Account Manager Salary: A Deep Dive

The compensation for a Control Account Manager reflects the role's high level of responsibility and specialized skill set. Given the specificity of the query, we'll start with the target—General Atomics in San Diego—and then broaden our analysis to provide a comprehensive market view.

Please note: Salary data is dynamic and changes based on market demand, company performance, and individual qualifications. The figures below are based on data from late 2023 and early 2024 from multiple authoritative sources.

### Control Account Manager Salary at General Atomics, San Diego

Direct salary data for a specific role at a specific company can be found on aggregator sites that rely on user-submitted data.

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a Control Account Manager at General Atomics is approximately $144,978 per year in the San Diego, CA area, with an estimated base salary of around $124,389 per year. The range often falls between $115,000 and $178,000.
Salary.com reports the range for a "Project Control Manager" in San Diego, CA (a closely related title) as being between $126,898 and $176,145, with a median of $150,876 as of early 2024.
Analysis of recent job postings from General Atomics for CAM and Senior CAM roles in San Diego often lists salary ranges from $95,000 to $185,000+, confirming the wide spectrum based on experience.

Taking these sources into account, a realistic salary expectation for a qualified Control Account Manager at General Atomics in San Diego is:

> Average Base Salary: Approximately $125,000 - $155,000

> Total Compensation (with bonus): Approximately $140,000 - $175,000+

### National Average Salary for Control Account Managers

To provide context, let's look at the national picture. The salary for a CAM can vary significantly based on location, industry, and company.

Payscale.com notes the average salary for a Control Account Manager in the United States is around $102,500 per year. The range typically spans from $75,000 on the low end to $145,000 for senior, experienced professionals.
Zippia reports a higher national average, placing it at $112,651 per year, with the top 10% earning over $158,000.

The discrepancy between the national average and the San Diego / General Atomics figures highlights the significant salary premium associated with working in a high-cost-of-living (HCOL) area for a major defense contractor.

### Salary by Experience Level

Your earning potential as a CAM grows significantly as you accumulate experience and take on more complex responsibilities. Here's a typical progression:

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Entry-Level (0-3 years) | Project Controls Analyst, Junior CAM, Project Scheduler | $65,000 - $85,000 | $80,000 - $110,000 |

| Mid-Career (4-8 years) | Control Account Manager | $90,000 - $125,000 | $115,000 - $150,000 |

| Senior (8-15 years) | Senior CAM, Lead CAM, Project Controls Lead | $120,000 - $150,000 | $145,000 - $185,000 |

| Expert/Principal (15+ years) | Principal CAM, Program Control Manager, Director of Project Controls | $145,000+ | $180,000 - $220,000+ |

*(Source: Data compiled and synthesized from Salary.com, Glassdoor, and recent industry job postings as of Q1 2024.)*

As you can see, a CAM in San Diego can expect to earn a premium of 20-30% or more over the national average at every stage of their career.

### Beyond the Base Salary: Total Compensation Package

It's crucial to look beyond the base salary number. A company like General Atomics offers a robust total compensation package that significantly increases your overall earnings and quality of life. These components typically include:

Annual Bonus: Performance-based bonuses are common in this field. These can range from 5% to 15% (or more for senior roles) of your base salary, tied to both individual performance (managing your control accounts effectively) and company/program performance.
401(k) Matching: Top-tier employers offer generous 401(k) matching programs. General Atomics is known for a strong match, which is essentially "free money" that accelerates your retirement savings.
Health and Wellness Benefits: This includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family. The value of a premium-heavy plan subsidized by your employer can be worth thousands of dollars per year.
Paid Time Off (PTO): This includes vacation days, sick leave, and holidays. Major defense contractors often provide generous PTO packages that increase with tenure.
Educational Assistance & Professional Development: Companies like General Atomics invest in their employees. They may offer tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees (like an MBA or a master's in project management) and pay for professional certifications like the PMP.
Relocation Assistance: For candidates moving to San Diego, a substantial relocation package might be offered to cover moving expenses and temporary housing.
Flexible Work Schedules: Many defense and tech companies, including General Atomics, offer flexible work options like a 9/80 schedule, where you work 80 hours in nine days and get every other Friday off.

When evaluating an offer, you must calculate the value of this entire package. A role with a slightly lower base salary but a superior bonus structure, 401(k) match, and low-cost health insurance could be far more lucrative in the long run.

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Key Factors That Influence Your Salary

Your salary as a Control Account Manager isn't a fixed number; it's a dynamic figure influenced by a combination of your personal qualifications, the specifics of the job, and market forces. Understanding these levers is key to maximizing your earning potential. This section will provide an exhaustive breakdown of the factors that have the biggest impact on your paycheck.

### 1. Level of Education

While hands-on experience is paramount in this field, your educational background lays the foundation and can significantly influence your starting salary and long-term career trajectory.

Bachelor's Degree (The Standard): A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for a CAM role at a major firm like General Atomics. The most relevant and sought-after degrees are:
Business Administration/Finance/Accounting: These degrees provide the core financial acumen required for budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Software): An engineering background is highly valued, especially for CAMs working on deeply technical projects. It allows you to understand the "why" behind schedule slips or cost overruns and have more credible conversations with the technical team.
Project Management: A dedicated degree in project management is becoming more common and is, of course, directly applicable.
Salary Impact: A relevant bachelor's degree is your ticket to entry. The specific type (e.g., Finance vs. Engineering) can make you a more competitive candidate for certain types of control accounts.

Master's Degree (The Accelerator): An advanced degree can provide a significant salary bump and open doors to leadership roles faster.
Master of Business Administration (MBA): An MBA is a powerful accelerator. It enhances your financial skills, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities, making you a prime candidate for managing larger, more complex programs. An MBA can command a 10-20% salary premium over a candidate with only a bachelor's degree.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Project Management or Engineering Management: These specialized degrees provide deep, practical knowledge in project execution, risk management, and quantitative analysis, making you an expert practitioner. They are highly respected in the defense and aerospace industries.

Professional Certifications (The Differentiator): In the world of project controls, certifications are not just resume-builders; they are proof of standardized, high-level expertise. Holding the right certifications can directly translate to a higher salary and make you a more sought-after candidate.
Project Management Professional (PMP)®: Offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the PMP is the global gold standard for project management. It validates your experience and knowledge across all areas of project management. Many CAM job descriptions at top firms list PMP as "required" or "highly desired." Holding a PMP can lead to a salary increase of up to 20% compared to non-certified peers, according to PMI's "Earning Power" salary survey.
Earned Value Management Professional (EVMP)®: While PMP is broad, the EVMP certification is laser-focused on the core skill of a CAM. It demonstrates deep expertise in EVM principles and application. For a role that lives and breathes EVM, this is a powerful differentiator.
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®: Also from PMI, this is an excellent entry-level certification for those who don't yet meet the experience requirements for the PMP. It shows commitment to the profession and understanding of its principles.
AACE International Certifications: The Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) offers several relevant certifications, such as the Certified Cost Professional (CCP) and the Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP).

### 2. Years of Experience

Experience is arguably the single most important factor determining your salary as a CAM. Your pay will grow in distinct stages as you move from analyst to manager to leader.

Entry-Level (0-3 years): In this phase, you are likely in a supporting role, such as a Project Controls Analyst, Financial Analyst, or Project Scheduler. Your focus is on learning the tools (Primavera P6, Deltek Cobra, SAP), understanding the EVM process, and assisting a senior CAM. You'll be responsible for data gathering, running reports, and performing initial variance checks.
San Diego Salary: $80,000 - $110,000

Mid-Career (4-8 years): You are now a full-fledged Control Account Manager. You own one or more control accounts, albeit on less complex or lower-value projects. You are responsible for the full lifecycle: planning, budgeting, analysis, forecasting, and reporting. You are building a track record of successfully managing your scope.
San Diego Salary: $115,000 - $150,000

Senior Level (8-15 years): As a Senior CAM or Lead CAM, you are assigned to the most critical, high-value, and high-risk control accounts. You may be managing a control account worth tens of millions of dollars. You are also expected to mentor junior CAMs and help improve project controls processes within the program. Your variance analyses are more sophisticated, and you are a trusted advisor to program management.
San Diego Salary: $145,000 - $185,000

Expert/Leadership (15+ years): At this level, you typically move into program-level roles like a Program Control Manager, Manager of Project Controls, or Director. You are no longer managing a single control account but are overseeing all the CAMs on a major program or across an entire business unit. Your responsibility shifts to process ownership, resource management, high-level financial oversight, and executive-level reporting.
San Diego Salary: $180,000 - $220,000+

### 3. Geographic Location

Where you work matters immensely. The cost of living and the concentration of relevant industries in a specific city create significant salary variations.

High-Cost, High-Demand Hubs: San Diego is a prime example. It has a very high cost of living and is a major hub for the defense, aerospace, and biotech industries. Companies like General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin have a major presence and compete for top talent, driving salaries up. Other locations in this tier include:
Los Angeles, CA: Another aerospace hub with a high cost of living.
Washington, D.C. / Northern Virginia: The epicenter of government contracting. Salaries are high due to proximity to federal clients.
Boston, MA: A hub for technology and defense.
San Francisco Bay Area, CA: While more focused on commercial tech, defense and hardware companies here pay a premium.

Mid-to-High Cost, Strong Industry Presence: These are cities with a strong aerospace/defense presence but a slightly lower cost of living than the top tier.
Huntsville, AL: Known as "Rocket City," it's a major hub for NASA, the U.S. Army, and numerous defense contractors. Salaries are very strong relative to the low cost of living.
Denver/Boulder, CO: A growing aerospace and tech hub.
Orlando/Melbourne, FL (The Space Coast): Home to NASA's Kennedy Space Center and numerous contractors.

Lower-Cost Locations: Areas with a lower cost of living will naturally have lower salary ranges, even with a defense presence. A CAM in Wichita, KS, or St. Louis, MO, will likely earn less than their counterpart in San Diego, but their purchasing power might be comparable.

Salary Comparison: Control Account Manager (Mid-Career)

| City | Average Salary | Cost of Living Index (US Avg = 100) |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| San Diego, CA | $135,000 | 160.4 |

| Washington, D.C. | $132,000 | 148.7 |

| Los Angeles, CA | $130,000 | 147.6 |

| Huntsville, AL | $115,000 | 83.1 |

| National Average | $102,500 | 100 |

*(Source: Salary data synthesized from aggregators; Cost of Living Index data from Payscale and BestPlaces.net, 2024.)* This table clearly illustrates the salary premium required to attract talent to high-cost-of-living areas like San Diego.

### 4. Company Type & Size

The type of organization you work for has a profound impact on your salary and work environment.

Large Prime Defense Contractors (e.g., General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon): These companies are at the top of the food chain. They manage massive, multi-billion dollar government contracts and have highly structured, rigorous EVM systems. They pay top-tier salaries and offer excellent benefits and stability to attract and retain the best talent needed to comply with strict government standards (like the EIA-748 standard for EVM). General Atomics, as a large, privately-held company, fits squarely in this category.
Smaller Subcontractors: These firms work for the prime contractors, providing specific components or services. While still requiring project controls, their systems may be less mature. Salaries may be slightly lower than at the prime contractors, but they can offer opportunities for broader responsibilities and faster growth.
Government Agencies (e.g., Department of Defense, NASA, Department of Energy): Working directly for the government as a civilian employee offers unparalleled job security and excellent benefits. However, the salary structure (like the GS scale) is often more rigid and may have a lower ceiling than the private sector, especially for senior roles. A government CAM (or equivalent role) often acts in an oversight capacity, reviewing the EVM data submitted by contractors like General Atomics.
Commercial Sector (e.g., Tech, Energy, Construction): While EVM originated in defense, its principles are used in other industries for large capital projects. A CAM in the commercial tech world might manage a large data center build-out. Salaries can be highly variable, with high-growth tech companies potentially offering lucrative stock options that can dwarf traditional compensation.

### 5. Area of Specialization

Within the CAM role, the nature of the work you're managing can influence your value.

R&D vs. Production: Managing a control account for a cutting-edge Research & Development project is often more challenging than managing one for a stable, repeatable production line. R&D is inherently uncertain, making accurate forecasting more difficult and valuable. CAMs with a strong technical background who can thrive in an R&D environment are highly sought after. General Atomics is heavily involved in R&D, making this a key specialization area.
Software vs. Hardware: Managing a complex software development lifecycle using Agile methodologies and integrating them with traditional EVM practices is a niche and valuable skill. A CAM who understands software development can command a premium.
High-Risk Subcontracts: A CAM responsible for managing a critical, high-risk subcontract requires strong vendor management and negotiation skills in addition to traditional project controls, adding to their value.

### 6. In-Demand Skills

Beyond your formal qualifications, a specific set of high-value skills will make you stand out and justify a higher salary.

Hard Skills (The "What You Can Do"):
Expert-Level EVM: You must be able to go beyond just calculating SPI/CPI. You need to perform sophisticated trend analysis, develop credible EACs using various formulas (e.g., TCPI), and expertly defend your data.
Software Proficiency: Mastery of industry-standard tools is non-negotiable. This includes:
Project Controls/EVM Tools: Deltek Cobra, forProject EVM, Oracle Primavera P6.
Scheduling Software: Primavera

The Ultimate Guide to a Control Account Manager Salary at General Atomics in San Diego: 2024 In-Depth Analysis

Table of Contents

What Does a Control Account Manager Do?

Average Control Account Manager Salary: A Deep Dive

Key Factors That Influence Your Salary