Project Management Specialists
Project management specialists plan and oversee individual projects from start to finish, managing timelines, budgets, staffing, and vendor relationships. They coordinate between technical teams and clients or customers across industries including construction, manufacturing, information technology, and consulting. Most work in corporate offices, on job sites, or in hybrid arrangements.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against project management specialists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves tracking project milestones, reviewing budget reports, and adjusting schedules when delays occur. Project managers attend meetings with team leads and clients to discuss progress and resolve obstacles. They handle procurement tasks, approve invoices, monitor resource allocation, and document project changes. Much of the work involves email, spreadsheets, scheduling software, and regular status reports to stakeholders.
Who this work suits
Holland code ECS. Enterprising work is leading, persuading and making decisions. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You enjoy organizing complex activities and making logical decisions based on data and procedures. You prefer structured environments with clear objectives and measurable outcomes. Success in this role suits people who are detail-oriented, decisive about resource allocation, and comfortable serving as the central point of contact between different groups.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience).
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Acquisition Project Management Specialist · Federal Acquisition Service · Multiple Locations · $108173–$172980
- Space Project Management Specialist · Patent and Trademark Office · Alexandria, Virginia · $121785–$158322
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST · Defense Finance and Accounting Service · Multiple Locations · $106437–$144386
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $92,830 | $124,160 | $162,490 | 36,240 |
| New Jersey | $92,850 | $122,980 | $155,490 | 28,300 |
| Delaware | $97,130 | $122,190 | $136,510 | 1,770 |
| New York | $91,660 | $121,040 | $160,220 | 68,020 |
| California | $85,620 | $120,910 | $155,850 | 114,380 |
| Virginia | $85,550 | $120,840 | $158,050 | 43,860 |
| Massachusetts | $87,290 | $114,190 | $144,990 | 21,960 |
| Colorado | $85,010 | $110,050 | $136,990 | 32,390 |
| New Mexico | $79,460 | $106,970 | $155,990 | 4,330 |
| Oregon | $81,260 | $105,480 | $134,270 | 19,380 |
| Connecticut | $81,490 | $105,240 | $135,100 | 8,410 |
| District of Columbia | $79,340 | $104,900 | $143,440 | 5,170 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- PMI Project Management Ready (PMI-PMR) — Project Management Institute
- Project Management Professional (PMP) — Project Management Institute
- Certified Business Professional - Project Management (CBP-PM) — International Business Training Association
- Project Manager Ebusiness (PME) — American Academy of Project Management
- ACRP Project Manager (ACRP-PM) (ACRP-PM) — Association of Clinical Research Professionals
- SAP Certified Associate - SAP S/4HANA Project Systems (C_TS412) — SAP America, Inc.
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
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Four short assessments and your background, scored against project management specialists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 13-1082.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.