Why pursue a career in Project Management?

Project management is one of the fastest-growing career fields, with a global growth rate of 33% by 2027. In the U.S. alone, over 214,000 new project-oriented jobs are created each year. This is the ideal time to start your project management career path (Project Management Institute).

Companies across various industries need skilled project managers to lead projects from inception to completion. A career in project management offers stability, competitive pay, and ample opportunities for career progression. This article will discuss the project management career path and salary expectations.

What is project management? Learn more in this video.

What is the Career Path for a Project Manager?

Project managers are essential in nearly every industry. Although a project management career path relies heavily on an individual’s personal and professional goals, there are several requisite skills and qualifications that one can learn to be successful in any project management position.

Project management involves using both technical and non-technical skills to plan, execute, and complete projects. Project managers work across different industries, ensuring that goals are met within scope, time, and budget.

To be successful in project management, professionals need skills such as:

• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Time management<
• Budgeting
• Strong communication
• Conflict resolution

Additionally, certifications like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) can boost your qualifications. Learn more about how Pathstream can help you prepare for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) Exam here.

Project Management Career Path

A typical project management career path can be broken down into several levels:

Assistant Project Manager (Entry-Level)

With less than 1 year of experience, assistant project managers support project managers by helping to coordinate project plans, manage administrative tasks, and ensure communication across teams. This role is a stepping stone toward becoming a full project manager.

Project Manager (Entry-Level)

Whether you’ve transitioned into project management after gaining experience in another field or you’re just starting with 0-2 years of experience, some companies may hire you if they believe in your potential. As an entry-level project manager, your primary responsibilities include coordinating project plans, managing teams, and ensuring projects are completed on time, within scope, and on budget. Project manager positions have high career growth potential.

Program Manager (Mid-Level)

Program managers handle multiple related projects to achieve broader organizational goals. They focus on program-level success rather than individual project outcomes.

Portfolio Manager (Senior-Level)

Portfolio managers oversee an organization’s portfolio of projects and programs. They focus on aligning projects with the company’s strategic objectives. What does this mean? Unlike a project manager or program manager position, a portfolio manager’s role focuses more on doing projects at the right time rather than simply completing a project successfully. This type of management position requires additional strategic and analytical skill sets. A good project portfolio manager increases a business’s value by ensuring all programs and projects align with the organization’s strategic direction and goals.

Executive-Level Roles

Senior project managers or COOs oversee entire departments, working closely with executive teams to drive organizational success. Individuals must have at least five years of advanced project management experience to qualify for this role. These roles include job titles such as director of project management or chief operating officer (COO). A director of project management oversees the strategy and success of the entire project management division. They are among the highest level of leadership within a business, managing multiple projects or program managers and interacting with other high-level leaders to achieve organization-wide goals.

Industry-Specific Roles

Several industry-specific project management roles exist, such as construction manager or IT manager. Industry-specific program manager job qualifications vary based on industry and level of specialization.

Rising to the Top: How Anisha Leveraged Learning the Foundations of Project Management into a Promotion

Like many others, Anisha’s journey began with her being passionate about her work but unsure of how to take the next step in her career. She gained foundational knowledge and the confidence to apply these skills in real-world settings by enrolling in a project management certificate.

Her newfound expertise didn’t go unnoticed. After successfully managing multiple complex projects, Anisha was promoted from Project Manager to Program Manager, demonstrating how mastering the basics of project management can unlock career advancement opportunities.

How much can you make? Project Manager salaries by role

According to Lightcast, the median salary for a project manager in 2024 is $95,368. However, this number is determined by various factors like role responsibilities, education and certifications, industry, and location.

IT Project Manager

An IT project manager, or computer and information systems manager, is responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing computer-related activities in an organization. They determine which computer hardware and information systems will best support the organization’s needs and goals. In addition to analyzing computing needs and recommending improvements, the IT manager oversees installing and maintaining the organization’s computer systems.

The average salary for IT project managers is around $121,836 per year, with total compensation sometimes reaching up to $156,792, depending on the company and location.

Engineering Project Manager

An engineering project manager oversees and directs the development of new products, designs, or processes for an organization. This type of project manager uses their engineering knowledge to create detailed project plans, lead research and development projects, supervise a team of engineers, and coordinate activities such as designing and executing plans for a new interstate bridge. This position requires a background in engineering, typically a bachelor’s degree in engineering or higher.

Engineering project managers earn an average salary of about $122,957 annually, with total compensation packages sometimes exceeding $161,262.

Marketing Project Manager

A marketing project manager is responsible for planning and executing marketing campaigns that generate interest in an organization’s products or services. This role can be specific to one department or encompass the entire organization. They coordinate market research studies, identify potential market opportunities, develop competitive pricing strategies, and create organization-wide marketing plans.

The average salary for marketing project managers is approximately $89,317 per year, but it can range from $74,000 to $150,000 depending on experience and location.

Unlock Your Project Management Potential with Pathstream

Whether you want to advance in your current role or simply boost your organizational skills, Pathstream’s industry-recognized project management training can help. Our programs are designed for both aspiring project managers and professionals who want to enhance their ability to manage tasks, teams, and projects more effectively. And now, you can see if your employer covers the cost of these valuable courses through our partners! Ready to take the next step? Look up your employer and start building the skills you need to excel in your career—whether it’s mastering organization, leading a team, or preparing for your next promotion.

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