Government Fleet Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Public Sector Fleet Manager Salaries Rise Slightly

Most respondents in Government Fleet’s biennial Industry Handbook survey saw at least a minor salary increase. A breakdown and analysis of the data.

Christy Grimes
Christy GrimesFormer Senior Editor
November 28, 2023
Public Sector Fleet Manager Salaries Rise Slightly

More than half of respondents — 56.45% — make less than $100,001 annually.

Photo: Canva/Government Fleet

2 min to read


Ad Loading...

The 2023 Salaries survey in Government Fleet’s biennial Industry Handbook for public sector fleet managers provided a clear picture of what fleet managers are seeing on their paychecks.

The handbook can act as a good general gauge for the state of the industry, but there are a few things to keep in mind, including the respondents’ backgrounds.

Ad Loading...

Experienced Fleet Managers Make Up Majority of Survey Respondents

The vast majority of respondents have been in the workforce for several decades. Here’s how the age groups break down, based on what generation the respondents identify with:

  • Baby Boomer (born 1946-1964): 36.36%.

  • Generation X (born 1965-1980): 54.55%.

  • Millennial (born 1981-1994): 9.09%.

Additionally, the state where the most fleet managers responded to the survey from was California. The other state with the most respondents was Florida. Both age and geographical location can affect salary.

The average salary of fleet manager survey respondents was $105,080.65. Overall, that’s 6.45% higher than the average reported in 2021 — $98,514.

Breaking Down the Salaries

Nearly 13% of respondents make more than $150,000 annually. That’s the range that represented the highest number of survey respondents. After that was $65,001-$70,000, which represented 9.68% of respondents. Tied for third was 8.06% of respondents each making between $80,001-$85,000 and $100,001-$105,000.

Ad Loading...

More than half of respondents — 56.45% — make less than $100,001 annually.

Are Fleet Managers Seeing Raises?

Most survey respondents saw at least some sort of salary change within the last year. Nearly 41% of respondents had an increase of up to 3%, while almost 40% of respondents received a salary increase between 4% and 6%. Just over 3% of those surveyed saw an increase of 7% or more.

Still, 13.64% of respondents saw no change to their salary in the last year. Another 1.52% of respondents had a decrease of 7% or more.

Most survey respondents saw at least some sort of salary change within the last year.

Photo: Canva/Government Fleet

About the Data

In June and July 2023, Government Fleet magazine solicited responses to a biennial survey from its readership, receiving 81 qualified responses from a diverse group of public fleet professionals.

The information and analysis above come from this opt-in survey.

Ad Loading...

Want to participate in Government Fleet’s next survey? Government Fleet is teaming up with Work Truck and Automotive Fleet to conduct a salary survey for fleet managers to determine the average salary for a fleet management position in both commercial and public sector fleets. The deadline for responses is Jan. 31, 2024.

Check out more from the Industry Handbook here.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Operations

Graphic showing Sewell Family of Companies logo and Oklahoma state seal over a background of parked vehicles, representing a statewide fleet contract agreement.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseApril 14, 2026

Oklahoma Statewide Fleet Vehicle Contract Multi-Year Agreement to Supply Fleet Vehicles to State Agencies and Municipalities

The Sewell Family of Companies has been awarded a statewide contract to supply fleet vehicles and services to government agencies across Oklahoma through 2032.

Read More →
A collage with voting, the government fleet logo and the words cheat sheet.
OperationsApril 10, 2026

Costs, AI, EVs, and Sales in Government Fleet | GovCast Shorts

On the go and want a snapshot of our top industry news? Check out Government Fleet's new video short of what's been happening.

Read More →
A man holding a phone in a truck.
Operationsby Rachael PlantApril 10, 2026

A Practical Approach to Fleet Cost Analysis in Government Operations 

Government fleets face a distinct set of challenges that make cost analysis both more difficult and more critical.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
 a wall with the words fleet hall of fame
OperationsApril 3, 2026

Vote Now for the Public Fleet Hall of Fame

Fleet professionals can now vote for the 2026 inductees of the Public Fleet Hall of Fame. Anyone affiliated with the public fleet industry, including fleet professionals, fleet technicians, or other staff members, and suppliers, can vote.

Read More →
executive editor with images of community and networking.
OperationsApril 1, 2026

Finding Your People | The Fleet Breakroom

Why the fleet community matters, how it helps with education and support, and why asking questions can save you more trouble than you think.

Read More →
the dispatch text with images of vehicles, women in fleet, and ev charging.
OperationsMarch 30, 2026

Women in Fleet, Salary Trends, AI, and More| The March Dispatch

In this monthly lookback, we’re talking about Women’s History Month coverage, the latest Government Fleet salary data, how fleet leaders are dealing with nonstop change, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
freightliner whitepaper
SponsoredMarch 26, 2026

Safety by Design: Power and Protection in the Freightliner 114SD Plus

Safety and productivity go hand-in-hand on today’s vocational jobsites. The Freightliner 114SD Plus combines advanced driver-assist technologies with proven reliability to keep crews moving constantly from start to finish. Learn how safety by design can protect your team, reduce risk, and maximize uptime.

Read More →
Isuzu commercial box truck driving in an urban area, representing a new body program with Aebi Schmidt that provides preconfigured, work-ready trucks for fleet customers.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseMarch 24, 2026

Isuzu Launches New Premium Body Program with Aebi Schmidt called Advantic

Isuzu and Aebi Schmidt launched a new body program that offers dealers preconfigured, work-ready trucks to streamline upfitting and reduce delivery times.

Read More →
A Samsara report cover titled 'The Exoneration Factor: How Dash Cams Reduce Risk and Deliver Clear ROI for the U.S. Public Sector,' featuring a close-up photo of a dash cam mounted on a vehicle windshield with a driver reflected in the rearview mirror and a desert road visible in the background.
SponsoredMarch 24, 2026

How Dash Cams Reduce Risk and Deliver Clear ROI for the U.S. Public Sector

For government agencies, dash cams have moved from a nice-to-have to a necessity—not just for public safety, but also for operational efficiency and cost savings. Download the full report today for insights from fellow public sector leaders on how dash cams are reducing risk, lowering premiums, and delivering clear ROI.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
paper people in pink and blue holding up signs
Operationsby Jeanny RoaMarch 23, 2026

2026 Government Fleet Salary Study: Pay Holds Strong as Workforce Pressures Mount

Government fleet managers report steady salary growth and expanding responsibilities, but an aging workforce, technician shortages, and rising technology demands are creating new long-term challenges.

Read More →