The Project Manager Career Path: Roles, Skills, and Growth Opportunities

KEY TAKEAWAYS

If you’re looking to join a fast-moving, in-demand industry, a career in project management can be a great fit for you. With the Project Management Institute (PMI) recent jobs report projecting a need for 88 million project management professionals by 2027, there’s never been a better time to explore a career as a project manager. Read on to learn more about project manager career paths, educational opportunities, and job titles.

Top project management job titles and responsibilities

*As of October 2023. Salary information sourced from Glassdoor.

Project coordinator

Project coordinators typically report to project managers. Their responsibilities include organizing key project details and coordinating teams, essential resources, and stakeholders. While their day-to-day tasks may vary, the project coordinator‘s primary role is to manage the “moving parts” of the project to help the project manager keep things on schedule while making the process as easy as possible for everyone involved. 

Some of the project coordinator’s key responsibilities include: 

• Handling project scheduling, budgeting, and organizational and administrative tasks
• Coordinating team activities, meetings, and activities
• Maintaining and organizing project documents and records

READ MORE: What Is a Project Coordinator? Job Description, Skills & Salary

Project manager

The job of a project manager involves taking ownership of the entire project throughout its life cycle by guiding teams and staff, facilitating communication between stakeholders, and monitoring progress toward project goals. Ultimately, it is their responsibility to ensure that the project remains on track and is completed successfully. The project manager also provides support as needed to team members and stakeholders as they complete essential tasks. 

Some of the project manager’s key responsibilities include:

• Establishing and creating a clear project execution plan, with quantifiable milestones and goals
• Coordinating and facilitating team meetings and stakeholder discussions
• Holding team members and staff accountable for tasks and providing leadership along the way

READ MORE: Scrum Master vs. Project Manager: What’s the Difference?

Program manager

The next step in a project manager’s career is becoming a program manager. The responsibilities of a program manager primarily involve overseeing a program, which refers to a group of related projects within an organization that share similar goals.

In the larger hierarchy, program managers serve as advisors to project managers within their department, providing guidance and support as subject matter experts in project management. The program manager’s ultimate responsibility is to ensure that the projects being performed within their department align with larger strategic and organizational goals. 

Some of the program manager’s key responsibilities include: 

• Strategic thinking of how multiple projects work together to create a larger goal
• Monitoring project progress across the program
• Supporting project managers within the program by helping clear project obstacles

Portfolio manager 

While often confused with program managers, portfolio managers focus on higher-level strategy and drive the goals of the organization. The portfolio manager is responsible for overseeing multiple programs and ensuring a cohesive strategy across all projects, both current and future. The portfolio manager is also tasked with analyzing relationships between the various projects and programs, ensuring their alignment with organizational goals.

Portfolio managers have one of the highest levels of responsibility in project management careers. While they don’t often have a hands-on role in the completion of projects, they spend a great deal of time relaying information about projects to organizational leadership. 

Some of the portfolio manager’s responsibilities include: 

• Analyzing high-level trends of projects across the organization at large, tying projects back to goals specifically
• Developing a pipeline of future projects and programs that align with corporate goals
• Communicating project and program objectives and status with executives and stakeholders who do not typically engage with project or program managers

Why Choose the Project Manager Career Path?

A career in project management can be an exciting career path for individuals who enjoy coordinating project details, managing teams, and strategizing high-level organizational efforts. According to the PMI Project Management Growth Report, each year, approximately 214,000 new project management–related jobs are created in the United States, with the market requiring over 88 million additional PM jobs before 2027 to meet demand. 

Overall, careers within the project management field are growing faster than the global average, making it an appealing choice for young professionals and those who are looking to make a career shift. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a project management specialist is $95,370 per year, 60% higher than the average national salary of $59,428.

Example of career progression for project managers in different industries

Project managers can specialize in a specific industry or niche if they choose to. There are a variety of factors that control this decision, such as higher pay, existing expertise, or even just the opportunity to explore a new and exciting field. Specialty project managers focus their experience within a niche field, perfecting their skills to meet the needs of that particular industry. Here are some of the most notable, fastest-growing industries for project managers: 

Healthcare

Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing sectors for project management jobs, with 17% growth since 2017, according to the Project Management Institute. 

• Healthcare project management professionals often work with the administrative team at doctors’ offices and hospitals to create a greater efficiency inside the organization by facilitating a wide variety of projects, from infrastructure to software.
• Common objectives or projects that project managers undertake within the healthcare industry include increased efficiency of operations within a hospital and decreased patient wait times. 
• The average salary of a healthcare-specific project manager is $96,011, according to Glassdoor, 2.59% higher than the average salary for a non-specialized project manager. 

Construction

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7.6% employment growth for construction managers between 2021 and 2031.

• Construction project managers collaborate with engineers, contractors, and superintendents to ensure that construction projects adhere to the agreed-upon schedule and remain within budget.
• Common projects that construction project managers handle include completing the renovation of an apartment building, planning the construction of a new building on campus without disrupting existing structures, and outlining the construction of a new neighborhood with a home contractor.
• The average salary of a construction-specific project manager is $111,515, according to Glassdoor, 19.29% higher than the average salary for a non-specialized project manager.

READ MORE: Best Construction Project Management Software

Technology and software development

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, new jobs for computer and information systems project managers will grow by 11% from 2020 to 2030.

• Technology and software project managers help manage projects within the information technology and software development industries, ensuring that technical teams have the room to innovate while delivering products to key stakeholders on time.
• Common objectives or projects that project managers undertake within the software development industry include ensuring that a new software product is delivered on time, overseeing team progress as edits to an existing application are rolled out, and coaching team members throughout the ideation phase of developing a new video game.
• The average salary of a project manager in the technology and software development industry is $114,805, according to Glassdoor, 22.81% higher than the average salary for a non-specialized project manager.

Common traits and skills of project management professionals

While project managers’ specialties and areas of expertise may vary based on industry and individual project type, they share specific project management traits and skills:

Strong leadership capabilities

Project managers must possess strong leadership skills to guide the teams they oversee through influence rather than position. They must understand that each unique project requires a different leadership style and that no two projects are exactly the same. Flexibility is a key competency, particularly when leading with a servant leadership approach and recognizing that the true metric of success as a project leader is not how you are measured as a project manager, but rather how the team accomplishes their work.

Clear communication skills

Communication is crucial when it comes to managing projects, regardless of size or scope. Especially in hybrid and remote teams, prioritizing clear communication should be a top priority for effective project managers. Establishing a regular meeting cadence and facilitating frequent check-ins is a great way to ensure that the flow of two-way communication continues throughout the project life cycle. 

Thorough and organized

An effective project manager must be thorough and organized in managing project details, communicating with key stakeholders, and anticipating potential roadblocks. Leveraging technology solutions and workflow automations can make it easier to stay on top of projects from start to finish. It is also incumbent upon the project manager to fully understand and utilize whatever project management–specific software is used by the organization.

Well-versed

Project managers need to understand the full scope of project management methodologies and their potential applications. Having the knowledge and experience to know when and how to deploy a particular project management methodology is essential to running successful projects or managing a multi-project program.  You do not need to be an expert in all methodologies; it always helps to be familiar with a variety so you can determine which one works best for your project. 

Responsive problem solver

Throughout the project life cycle, things will change in the blink of an eye. A strong project manager must have the ability to adapt to changing situations and respond accordingly in the best interests of the team and the project itself.

Most Common Project Management Certifications

1. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification is an entry-level certification administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) designed for new graduates, new project management professionals, and those transitioning into project management for the first time. While the CAPM certification may prepare you for an entry-level position in project management, it can also prepare you to sit for the PMP exam.

Prerequisites and requirements: 

• A secondary degree, such as a high school diploma, GED (general educational development), or global equivalent
• At least 23 hours of project management education completed before the exam (PMI’s online Project Management Basics course can help fulfill this requirement)

2. Project Management Professional (PMP)

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, administered by the PMI, is widely recognized as the gold standard certification for project managers worldwide. The PMP certification is best for any project management professional seeking to advance their career while highlighting a mastery of key project management concepts. 

Prerequisites and requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree 
• 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years 
• 35 hours of project management education/training OR CAPM® certification

OR

• High school or secondary school diploma 
• 60 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years 
• 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM® certification

3. Program Management Professional (PgMP)

Compared to other certifications, the PgMP certification is designed for experienced project management professionals and, accordingly, requires the most additional prerequisites building on the base of knowledge acquired during the PMP. The Program Management Professional certification, administered by the Project Management Institute, is a certification for senior project managers who are looking to expand their experience in multi-project program management. 

Prerequisites and requirements:

• High school or secondary school diploma (or global equivalent);
• 48 months of project management experience or PMP within the past 15 years; and 
• 84 months of program management experience within the past 15 years

or

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (or global equivalent); 
• 48 months of project management experience or PMP within the past 15 years; and 
• 48 months of program management experience within the past 15 years

or

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (or global equivalent) from a GAC-accredited program; 
• 36 months of project management experience or PMP within the past 15 years; and 
• 36 months of program management experience within the past 15 years

4. Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)

Compared to other certifications, the PfMP certification is the top tier for career-minded project management professionals and thus requires the most extensive prerequisites of any project management certification. Administered by the Project Management Institute, the Portfolio Management Professional certification is designed for executives and senior project managers who want to expand their expertise in multi-project portfolio management. 

Prerequisites and requirements:

• A minimum of 96 months of professional business experience within the last 15 years;
• Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or the global equivalent); and
• 84 months of portfolio management experience within the past 15 years

or

• A minimum of 96 months of professional business experience within the last 15 years;
• Four-year degree (bachelor’s degree or the global equivalent); and
• 48 months of portfolio management experience within the past 15 years

or

• A minimum of 96 months of professional business experience within the last 15 years; 
• Bachelor’s degree or higher (or global equivalent) from a GAC-accredited program; and
• 36 months of portfolio management experience within the past 15 years

READ MORE: Top Project Management Certifications

Qualifications of project managers

To become a project manager, you will need a variety of hard and soft skills, professional experience, project management certifications, and education.

There are ways to make a career pivot into project management. The first way is to start out as a coordinator and work your way up in the career field. Additionally, obtaining certifications and additional education can fast-track your career progress. According to Zippia, 68% of project managers have a bachelor’s degree, 14% have a master’s, and 11% have an associate’s degree.

There is no one way to make a career and succeed in project management, which is why the career field is so exciting.  Being a project manager allows you to work in a variety of industries on a variety of projects. I have built my career transitioning between multiple industries, learning as I go while expanding my skills as a project manager.

Project management exam preparation

Project management certifications are a critical aspect of a successful career in project management, but obtaining those certifications requires dedicated exam preparation. Depending on your personal experience, the type of certification you’re seeking, and the prerequisites required to apply for the exam itself, it can take anywhere from one to six months to properly prepare for a project management certification exam. 

Each project management certification exam follows a unique format with specific question groups, making guided study programs and certification-specific study resources an essential part of exam preparation for project management professionals. Fortunately, there’s a wide variety of qualified exam preparation vendors that offer courses tailored specifically to each certification. 

Passing the certification exams is all in the preparation. These tests are not simply about memorizing and repeating information; you must fully immerse yourself in understanding how the processes work. That means understanding how the project life cycle evolves and the nuances of each methodology.  

Commitment is key in the preparation period. The exams are stressful, so fully understanding the material will help you pass.  Make sure you read all the documents on the certification website about the exam, they will typically give you tips for studying and point you to best practices.

Master of Project Academy is one of the top providers of project management certification exam prep, with students in over 180 countries and an average first-time pass rate of 99.6% in the certification exams.

FAQs

Can I shift careers to a role as a project manager?

Believe it or not, you can shift careers into a successful career in project management without going back to school. Many professionals don’t even realize that they have already gained project management experience from implementing team ideas, managing budgets, and other tasks that are lesser-known contributors to project management experience. By attaining certifications, such as a CAPM or PMP certification, and supplemental experience, for example, you can successfully pivot into a new role as a project manager.

What are the best college majors to become a project manager?

While having a bachelor’s degree isn’t a must-have to work as a project manager, it can make becoming a project management professional much easier, as most key certifications require fewer prerequisites for applications with a four-year degree. Some universities have even begun offering project management as a major, with majors such as business administration, accounting, economics, and marketing standing out as top majors for future project managers.

Are there free resources for career project managers?

There are numerous free resources available to support project managers throughout their careers, from free trials of top project management solutions to free seminars and even free certificate test prep courses. Currently, PMI is one of the top providers of free resources, offering KICKOFF, a free and interactive project management course that covers essential PM concepts and even free test prep for PMI-sponsored certifications such as CAPM and PMP.

How long does it take to become a project manager?

Depending on your level of experience, it can take anywhere from a few months to a year or more to become a project manager. If you have preexisting experience or highly transferable skills, your transition into project management may take less time compared to someone who is new to the industry. Regardless of your level of experience, obtaining a project management certification can help speed up the process.

Is a Scrum Master a project manager?

While Scrum Masters can be project managers and project managers can be Scrum Masters, the two terms cannot be used interchangeably. Project managers oversee the entirety of the project life cycle, guiding teams and ensuring a smooth process as tasks are completed, whereas Scrum Masters are responsible for ensuring that teams are adhering to Scrum principles. 

Scrum Masters are also only present within teams operating under the Scrum methodology, while project managers can operate within a wide variety of teams implementing any number of project management methodologies and frameworks.