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Online Master of Science in Project Management

Project Management Career Outlook

Manage Risk, Drive Results, and Become Indispensable in Any Industry

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a veteran looking to add versatility to your professional career, project management careers are adaptable, lucrative, and growing.1,2,3

  • 33 percent growth in project management job opportunities through 2027
  • 2.1 million new jobs from 2017 to 2027
  • $112,000 median annual salary across industries in the United States

The skills you learn will allow you to be successful in high-paying leadership positions in nearly any industry3:

  • Pharmaceutical: $129,000
  • Agriculture, Mining, and Natural Resources: $130,000
  • Consulting: $125,000
  • Aerospace: $118,000
  • Engineering: $117,500
  • Utility: $117,875
  • Government: $113,875
  • Information Technology: $114,000

Project Manager Career Outlook

Project managers are sought after for their ability to support senior-level roles and are often an indispensable part of the team. Explore some popular project manager careers:

  • Construction project managers are responsible for coordinating the planning, budget, and execution of large-scale construction projects — including mitigating risk, ensuring projects are completed on time, and abiding by all regulatory standards.

    • 2021 Median Salary: $98,8904

  • Develop plans to assist organizations in finding, buying, and administering the technology and networking they need to succeed. Evaluate scope and budget to ensure implementation runs smoothly. Develop long-term adaptation plans as technology evolves.

    • June 2022 Average Base Salary: $88,8995

  • A director of project management is a senior-level administrator who will often manage a team of project management professionals, ensuring all active projects are on track, on budget, and within a previously defined scope. They also help define and implement these parameters as projects develop.

    • June 2022 Average Base Salary: $123,1596

  • A particularly valuable position to the bottom line, risk managers help companies evaluate and avoid risk while undertaking projects and delivering work. Analyzing trends, cost projections, and other statistical data, risk managers protect budgets and ensure a smooth process from planning through execution.

    • Median salary: $90,5777

Prepare for PMP® Certification

This 36-credit, 24-month online degree, which is aligned with the PMI Guide’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), will help you prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) exam to become a certified PMP. You’ll gain the practical knowledge to add new value to your current role as you expand your leadership skills and broaden your horizons.

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), professionals with Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification earn a 23 percent higher average salary compared to those without PMP® certification3.

Program Outcomes

As the field of project management continues to evolve and grow in importance, the demand for versatile leaders who can adapt to the needs of an increasingly global and virtual world will grow with it. At Saint Mary’s, we’ll help prepare you to meet this demand, teaching you how to:

  • Plan and manage complex projects using industry technologies and tools
  • Employ recognized project management principles and best practices
  • Manage and incorporate change through the project lifecycle
  • Address the cross-cultural, social, and political challenges of international projects
  • Effectively lead and understand diverse groups and populations
  • Incorporate an ethical perspective in all communications and professional activities

Get Started Now

Request more information to learn more about Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s online programs. An enrollment counselor will contact you shortly to share more information and answer your questions. When you’re ready, you can click Apply Now to start your online application.

Sources

  1. PMI. “Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap 2017–2027.” Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org/learning/careers/job-growth.
  2. PMI. “Latest Findings Show Project Management Professionals in High Demand as Industry Job Growth Accelerates.” May 15, 2017. Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org/about/press-media/press-releases/latest-findings-show-project-management-professionals-in-high-demand.
  3. PMI. “Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey 10th Edition.” 2017. Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/learning/salary-survey-10th-edition.pdf?la=en.
  4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Construction Managers.” April 18, 2022. Retrieved on June 23, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm.
  5. Payscale. “Average Project Manager, Information Technology (IT) Salary.” June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Project_Manager%2C_Information_Technology_(IT)/Salary.
  6. Payscale. “Average Project Management Director Salary.” June 6, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Project_Management_Director/Salary.
  7. Payscale. “Average Risk Manager Salary.” June 12, 2022. Retrieved on June 22, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Risk_Manager/Salary.