Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Project Management Specialist Project management specialists typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. Project management specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree that may be in a variety of fields, including business or project management. Although not always required, certification may be beneficial.
Education
To enter the occupation, project management specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in business, project management, or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a degree in a technical field related to the industry in which they will work, such as computer and information technology or engineering.
Training
and development specialists, or in other related occupations. Employers also may prefer to hire candidates who have experience in areas such as personnel recruitment, employee relations, or compensation and benefits. Candidates sometimes get this experience by volunteering or while in college, either through courses or internships. Advancement Project management specialists may advance to more senior positions as they gain experience and take on more responsibility. For example, they may begin as trainees working on small projects and progress to large, complex projects.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Although not always required, professional certification demonstrates competency to prospective clients and employers. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. Other Experience Some positions require project management specialists to have relevant work experience. Candidates may gain experience as business analysts, information security analysts,
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of project management specialists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 76,500 openings for project management specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment As organizations seek ways to maintain and improve productivity, employment of project management specialists is expected to increase. These specialists will be needed to help manage various business operations, ensuring that projects meet their goals and are completed on time and within budget. In addition, demand for project management specialists will likely stem from the need to manage the growing volume and complexity of information technology (IT) projects. Project Management Specialists Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Project management specialists 7% Business operations specialists 6% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Project Management Specialists Do
Project management specialists coordinate the budget, schedule, and other details of a project. They lead and guide the work of technical staff. Project management specialists also may serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
Duties
Project management specialists typically do the following:
- Communicate with clients to determine project requirements and objectives
- Develop project plans to include information such as objectives, funding, schedules, and staff
- Identify, review, and select vendors or consultants to meet project needs
- Assign duties or responsibilities to project staff
- Confer with project staff to identify and resolve problems
- Monitor project costs to stay within budget
- Monitor project milestones and deliverables
- Propose, review, and approve modifications to project plans
- Produce and distribute project documents
Project management specialists may begin a project by defining its scope or goals, using input from the client. They then create a plan that itemizes the individual activities, data, and resources needed to complete the project. Project management specialists ensure that the plan estimates costs, identifies potential risks, and specifies a timeline for completion.
Once a project is underway, project management specialists direct the team in carrying out the work. They monitor progress by tracking milestones and troubleshooting problems that may arise, including adjusting the project to address changes requested by the client. Finally, they close out the project by reviewing and organizing financial statements, contracts, and other documents.
These specialists may oversee a variety of projects, such as building a new commercial center, improving business processes, or expanding sales into additional markets. In coordinating a project, they may work closely with those whose expertise is in a particular field. For example, a project management specialist may collaborate with an emergency management director in disaster relief efforts or a construction manager in building a facility.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Project management specialists held about 1.1 million jobs in 2025. The largest employers of project management specialists were as follows:
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 28% |
| Construction | 22 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Administrative and support services | 6 |
| Finance and insurance | 5 |
Project management specialists usually work in an office setting. Although project management specialists may collaborate on teams, some work independently. Project management specialists also may travel to their clients’ places of business.
Work Schedules
Project management specialists generally work during normal business hours. However, their schedules may require flexibility, such as when working across time zones or during off-peak hours. Most work full time, and some may work more than 40 hours per week.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Project management specialists must be able to understand large amounts of information and data. Communication skills. Project management specialists need to convey information to staff and must get input from and present results to clients. Critical-thinking skills. To determine which strategy would work best for a particular project, these specialists must assess its goals and impact. Interpersonal skills. Project management specialists must establish trust with clients and respond well to their questions and concerns. Organizational skills. Project management specialists’ work involves balancing a variety of responsibilities, and they may oversee more than one project at one time. Problem-solving skills. Project management specialists must be able to handle difficult or unexpected situations and find effective solutions. Time-management skills. Project management specialists often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about project management specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.