What Does a Project Manager Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a project manager do?

Project managers plan, organize and lead projects from start to finish: defining scope, building schedules and budgets, coordinating teams, managing risks and keeping stakeholders informed until the work is delivered. The median pay is $102,320 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–4+ years, and employment is projected to grow +6.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$102,320
$49.19/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+6.7%
2025–35, faster than average
Openings per year
76,500
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
1–4+ years
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
1,094,300
Employment, 2025

What project managers do

Project managers work in construction, IT, healthcare, manufacturing, marketing, government and nearly every other field. They break big goals into tasks, assign work, track progress, remove obstacles, manage changes and communicate status so projects finish on time, on budget and to the expected quality.

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but many project managers grow into the role from technical or operations jobs. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is the best-known credential, and Agile certifications are valuable in technology.

Typical duties

Define project scope, goals and deliverables
Build schedules, budgets and resource plans
Coordinate team members, vendors and stakeholders
Track progress and manage risks and issues
Manage changes to scope, time and cost
Run meetings and communicate status
Close projects and capture lessons learned

Work environment and schedule

Project managers work in offices, on job sites or remotely, depending on the industry. Construction PMs spend more time in the field; IT and corporate PMs often work hybrid or remote.

Schedule: Usually full-time, sometimes with long hours near deadlines.

A day in the life

8:30 AMReview the project dashboard: two tasks behind schedule and a vendor delivery at risk.
9:00 AMRun the daily stand-up with the team and remove a blocker.
10:30 AMUpdate the schedule in the project software and analyze the critical path.
12:30 PMCall the vendor to negotiate a recovery plan for the late delivery.

See a full day in the life of a project manager →

Project Manager salary

Half of project managers earned more than $102,320 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $61,580 for the lowest 10% to $167,970 for the top 10%.

$61,58010th$102,320Median$167,97090th

Full project manager pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a project manager

Build a foundation
Coordinate projects
Learn the methods
Earn a certification
Advance

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical. Many project managers start as coordinators or in technical roles. The PMP requires project experience plus 35 hours of project management education; the CAPM is an entry-level option.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a project manager →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Scope, schedule and budget management
Project management software
Risk management
Agile and Scrum methods
Stakeholder reporting

People skills

Leadership
Communication
Negotiation
Problem-solving

All project manager skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

High pay: median pay in the six figures
Needed in nearly every industry
Leadership experience that leads to senior roles
Remote and hybrid options in many fields

Cons

Accountable for results you don’t fully control
Deadline pressure and long hours
Managing conflicts between people and priorities
Lots of meetings and communication

Certifications and licenses

PMP (PMI): Project Management Professional: requires project experience and 35 hours of training.
CAPM (PMI): Certified Associate in Project Management: an entry-level credential.
Scrum Master certifications (CSM, PSM): Agile credentials common in software teams.
PMI-ACP: Agile Certified Practitioner.

Career path

Project Coordinator: Support schedules, meetings and documentation.
Project Manager: Lead projects end to end.
Senior PM or Program Manager: Lead larger projects and multiple related projects.
Director of PMO or Operations: Oversee project portfolios and strategy.

Learn the job before day one

Our Project Manager training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as build a work breakdown structure and create a RACI matrix, safety and how to land your first job.

View Project Manager training Is this career right for me?

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Compare: Project Manager vs. Logistics Coordinator · Project Manager vs. Building Inspector · Project Manager vs. HR Specialist · Project Manager vs. Web Developer

Project Manager FAQ

Do you need a PMP to be a project manager?

Not always, but many employers prefer or require it for senior roles. The CAPM is a good entry-level option.

Can you become a project manager without a degree?

Yes, many people grow into project management from technical or operations roles. A degree is typical, though, and helps for many employers.

Which industries hire project managers?

Construction, IT, healthcare, manufacturing, consulting, government, marketing and many more.

How much does a project manager make?

The median annual wage for project managers was $102,320 ($49.19 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $61,580 and the highest 10% earned more than $167,970.

How long does it take to become a project manager?

Most people need about 1–4+ years of training. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical. Many project managers start as coordinators or in technical roles. The PMP requires project experience plus 35 hours of project management education; the CAPM is an entry-level option.

Do you need a degree to be a project manager?

Usually. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but many project managers rise from technical, trades or operations roles. The PMP certification is based on experience and training and does not require a degree (more experience is required without one).

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 13-1082 (Project management specialists).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Project management specialists (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Project Manager