Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
Project Management Specialists
SOC: 13-1082 O*NET: 13-1082.00
Median Salary
$102,320
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.6%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
78.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
What does a Project Management Specialists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$61,580
10th percentile
Early Career
$78,440
25th percentile
Median
$102,320
50th percentile
Experienced
$133,100
75th percentile
Top Earners
$167,970
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$61,580
25th
$78,440
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$102,320
Mean: $110,740
75th
$133,100
90th
$167,970
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $106,390 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $78,440 and $133,100
- •Salary spread is 53.4% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 1,066,670 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,046,300
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services28.6%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services28.6%
Construction22.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.6%
Annual Openings:78,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,046,300
Current
2034 (Projected)1,105,000
+5.6%
+58,700
Employment Change
+5.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Project Management Specialists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
138,960 jobs$98,4401.44x
California
114,380 jobs$120,9100.92x
Florida
76,370 jobs$98,0701.12x
New York
68,020 jobs$121,0401.02x
Virginia
43,860 jobs$120,8401.56x
Washington
36,240 jobs$124,1601.49x
North Carolina
36,200 jobs$100,8201.07x
Pennsylvania
36,150 jobs$100,1500.87x
Ohio
34,260 jobs$95,7700.90x
Colorado
32,390 jobs$110,0501.64x
Maryland
30,530 jobs$104,0401.61x
Georgia
28,900 jobs$102,1400.86x
New Jersey
28,300 jobs$122,9800.96x
Illinois
27,180 jobs$103,4700.65x
Michigan
25,330 jobs$100,9700.84x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Project Management Specialists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechIBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechProcore software
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechGitHub
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechAsana
🔥 Hot TechSlack
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
🔥 Hot TechBentley MicroStation
🔥 Hot TechAtlassian JIRA
🔥 Hot TechSalesforce software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
IBM SPSS Statistics
Procore software
SAS
GitHub
Tableau
Asana
Slack
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Bentley MicroStation
Atlassian JIRA
Salesforce software
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
Varies
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
Varies
🤝
Customer Interaction
NONE
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in varies environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
0
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Communication & Coordination (1)Planning & Development (3)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Assign duties or responsibilities to project personnel.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Communicate with key stakeholders to determine project requirements and objectives.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination97% perform98%
3
Confer with project personnel to identify and resolve problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Create project status presentations for delivery to customers or project personnel.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Develop or update project plans including information such as objectives, technologies, schedules, funding, and staffing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Identify project needs such as resources, staff, or finances by reviewing project objectives and schedules.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Identify, review, or select vendors or consultants to meet project needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Monitor costs incurred by project staff to identify budget issues.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Monitor project milestones and deliverables.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Monitor the performance of project team members to provide performance feedback.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Project Management Specialists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Project Management Specialists professionals typically have a ECS Holland code
EEnterprising
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Project Management Specialists
Complete Work Styles Profile
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Project Management Specialists.
Browse Training Programs →The Apprenticeship Route: Earn While You Learn
You don't necessarily need to pay for school to enter this field. There are 119 registered apprenticeship sponsors for this occupation in the U.S. DOL system — including 2 union/joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one, typically starting at 40–50% of the journeyman rate, and finish with no tuition debt.
Most sponsors: SC (16) , CA (12) , TX (12) , FL (11) , TN (11)
How apprenticeships work →Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov)
Trade Colleges That Train for Project Management Specialists
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
5.0k program completions/year
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
2.8k program completions/year
Eastern Gateway Community College
Steubenville, OH
2.5k program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
1.6k program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
1.3k program completions/year
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC
1.3k program completions/year
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA
1.3k program completions/year
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
1.2k program completions/year
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
1.2k program completions/year
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA
1.0k program completions/year
Connecticut State Community College
New Britain, CT
978 program completions/year
Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ
897 program completions/year