Project Management Specialists

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.

Project management specialists held about 1.0 million jobs in 2024. The largest employers of project management specialists were as follows:

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.

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.

The median annual wage for project management specialists was $100,750 in May 2024.

Employment of project management specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 78,200 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.