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
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. PayThe median annual wage for project management specialists was $102,320 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for project management specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of project management specialists with similar occupations. 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.
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 project management specialists was $102,320 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for project management specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of project management specialists with similar occupations. 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.
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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for project management specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of project management specialists with similar occupations. 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.
What They Do
Project management specialists coordinate the budget, schedule, staffing, and other details of a project.
Work Environment
Project management specialists usually work in an office setting, but they occasionally travel to visit clients. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Project Management Specialist
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.
Pay
The median annual wage for project management specialists was $102,320 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for project management specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of project management specialists with similar occupations.
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.
Work Environment
Project management specialists usually work in an office setting, but they occasionally travel to visit clients. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Project Management Specialist
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.
Pay
The median annual wage for project management specialists was $102,320 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for project management specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of project management specialists with similar occupations.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for project management specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of project management specialists with similar occupations.
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.
More Information
Learn more about project management specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
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.