What does a project manager do? Duties, pay, education and outlook
Project management specialists, often called project managers, coordinate the budget, schedule, staffing and other details of a project. A bachelor's degree is typical, and professional certification is helpful but not always required. BLS reports a median of $102,320 per year (May 2025).
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| SOC code | 13-1082 (O*NET-SOC 13-1082.00) |
| Typical entry-level education | Bachelor's degree |
| Licensing | None; professional certification optional |
| Median annual wage | $102,320 per year (May 2025) |
| Projected growth | 7 percent, 2025 to 2035 (much faster than average) |
| Number of jobs | 1,094,300 (2025) |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, accessed 31 October 2026.
What the job is and what project managers do
A project manager keeps a piece of work on time, on budget and moving toward its goal. Typical responsibilities are setting the schedule, managing the budget, assigning and coordinating staff, tracking progress, communicating with clients and stakeholders, and solving problems as they arise. Titles vary by industry, including construction, information technology, healthcare and finance, so read job descriptions rather than relying on the title alone.
Work environment
Project management specialists usually work in an office, and occasionally travel to visit clients. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours a week, particularly near deadlines.
Education, training and licensing
- Education. A bachelor's degree is typical, in business, project management or a related field. Some employers prefer a technical degree such as computer and information technology or engineering.
- Certification. Professional certification is not always required, but BLS says it demonstrates competency to prospective clients and employers. CareerOneStop lists available certifications.
- Experience. BLS lists no related work experience as required and no typical on-the-job training, though many people move into the role from coordinator or analyst jobs.
Skills that matter
BLS lists analytical, communication, critical-thinking, interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving and time-management skills. O*NET adds the tools and knowledge areas used in the work, such as project management software and spreadsheets. Show proof: the size of budgets you managed, team sizes, deadlines hit and a project you delivered from start to finish. If you are moving from another field, a career change resume helps you translate past results into project terms.
Pay
BLS reports a median of $102,320 per year, or $49.19 per hour (May 2025). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $61,580 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $167,970 (May 2025). See the OOH pay tab and OEWS data for your area, then how to research salary and salary negotiation.
Job outlook
BLS projects 7 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 73,200 jobs. About 76,500 openings are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
How to get hired
- Pick an industry where you already have knowledge, since domain expertise sets you apart.
- Take on project coordination tasks in your current role and document the results.
- Consider a recognized certification, and check which ones appear in job postings you want.
- Write an ATS-friendly resume that leads with budgets, scope and outcomes.
- Practice behavioral answers with interview prep.
- Search jobs on LiveRec and apply to roles that match your industry.
Related occupations
Cost estimators, logisticians, management analysts, market research analysts, mathematicians and statisticians, operations research analysts, survey researchers.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a degree to be a project manager? BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, often in business, project management or a related field.
Do project managers need certification? Not always, but BLS says certification shows competency to clients and employers.
How much do project managers make? BLS reports a median of $102,320 per year (May 2025) for project management specialists.
Is the field growing? BLS projects 7 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average.
Related guides
Sources
- BLS, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Project Management Specialists: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/project-management-specialists.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
- BLS, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, 13-1082.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-1082.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
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