With a national median of $102,320 and +5.6% projected job growth through 2034, Project Management Specialists offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
Also known as:
Project Management Specialists earn $102,320 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $78,440 and $133,100. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Well above average for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
The BLS projects +5.6% employment change for Project Management Specialists through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 78,200 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
About as fast as average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Project Management Specialists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $102,320 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 116,240 | $93,880 | -8.2% |
| 2 | California | 113,980 | $111,300 | +8.8% |
| 3 | New York | 68,340 | $110,490 | +8.0% |
| 4 | Florida | 65,890 | $96,980 | -5.2% |
| 5 | Virginia | 46,960 | $114,990 | +12.4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Project Management Specialists positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business Administration | 395,227 | $68,257 | 2,611 |
| 2 | Business | 57,204 | $68,407 | 933 |
| 3 | IT Administration | 46,791 | $85,063 | 1,271 |
| 4 | Construction Management | 4,158 | $95,124 | 169 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 5 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 6 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
Once you've sized up Project Management Specialists, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Project Management Specialists pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Strong earnings and growing demand make Project Management Specialists a compelling path. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
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