What Does a Project Manager Do? Career Guide

Q: Do you need a degree to become a project manager?

Most project managers hold at least a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as business or project management. While some employers may consider candidates without a degree who have substantial relevant work experience, a bachelor's degree can strengthen your qualifications for advanced credentials, including professional certifications.

Q: What is the difference between a project manager and a program manager?

A project manager focuses on one project at a time, managing its timeline, budget and deliverables from kickoff to completion. A program manager oversees a portfolio of related projects, coordinating across project managers and aligning that work with broader organizational goals. See the comparison table for how these roles, along with product managers, differ day to day.

Overview

What Is a Project Manager?

A project manager is a professional responsible for guiding a project from start to finish. They coordinate the people, tasks, timelines, budgets, resources and deliverables needed to complete a temporary project with a specific goal.

A project manager's main accountability is to ensure the project is completed on time, within budget and according to requirements while supporting the organization’s broader goals.

Project Manager Career Snapshot and Key Information

A project manager is responsible for keeping projects on schedule, within budget and aligned with stakeholder expectations. Most project managers enter the field with a bachelor’s degree, professional experience and skills in planning, communication, budgeting, risk management and team leadership. Some employers may prefer candidates with certifications such as PMP, CAPM or Agile credentials. The snapshot below summarizes the education, salary factors, job outlook, work settings, responsibilities and advancement paths commonly associated with project management careers.

Career Topic

What To Know

Education Duration

Typically requires a bachelor's degree, though some professionals enter the field with related experience and certifications.

Salary

Project manager salaries vary by industry, location, experience level and certifications.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for project managers is expected to rise as organizations continue to rely on project managers to lead strategic initiatives, technology implementations and business growth projects.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Work Settings

Corporate offices, construction firms, healthcare organizations, government agencies, technology companies, consulting firms and remote work environments.

Certifications

Employers may value certifications such as the Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or Agile certifications.

Key Responsibilities

Plan project timelines and budgets, coordinate teams and resources, manage risks, communicate with stakeholders, track progress and ensure projects are completed on time and within scope.

Common Specializations

IT Project Management, Construction Project Management, Healthcare Project Management, Engineering Project Management, Marketing Project Management and Agile Project Management.

Career Advancement

Experienced project managers may advance to senior project manager, program manager, portfolio manager, director of project management or executive leadership roles.

Role

What Does a Project Manager Do?

Project managers oversee projects from conception to execution to evaluation. They create project plans, assign responsibilities, track progress, manage risks, solve problems and communicate updates to stakeholders such as clients, executives, vendors and team members

A project manager’s main tasks are as follows:

Planning

Project managers may meet with clients to determine the scope and goals of the project before developing a plan for completion, including the budget, team members and resources needed.

Monitoring

They monitor and track the progress of the project, ensuring the team meets milestones and troubleshoots problems effectively.

Evaluating

Project managers evaluate the final result, review it with the client and make any changes needed before closing out the project.

Project Manager vs. Product Manager vs. Program Manager

Although project managers, product managers and program managers all help organizations complete important business initiatives, their responsibilities are different.

A project manager focuses on completing a specific project on time, within budget and according to requirements. A product manager focuses on the strategy, development and success of a product throughout its lifecycle. A program manager oversees multiple related projects or initiatives to make sure they support broader organizational goals.

Career Topic

Primary Focus

Common Responsibilities

Best Fit For

Project Manager

Completing a specific project successfully

Creating project plans, managing timelines and budgets, assigning tasks, tracking progress, communicating with stakeholders and resolving project issues

People who enjoy organization, planning, team coordination and deadline-driven work

Product Manager

Guiding the strategy and success of a product

Researching customer needs, defining product features, prioritizing product roadmaps, working with design and development teams and measuring product performance

People interested in customer needs, market strategy, technology, innovation and product development

Program Manager

Coordinating multiple related projects or initiatives

Aligning project teams, managing dependencies, tracking program-level risks, reporting progress to leadership and ensuring projects support larger business goals

People who enjoy big-picture planning, cross-functional leadership and managing complex initiatives

Outlook

Is Project Management a Good Career?

Project management is applicable to many different industries and types of organizations. The job growth for this career is expected to hold steady for the foreseeable future. According to the BLS, the job growth rate for project management specialists is expected to be 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all professions.^{(See disclaimer 1)} This indicates that employers expect to hire about 78,200 new project management specialists, each year, during this time period.^{(See disclaimer 1)} The median annual salary for project management specialists is $100,750 as of May 2024.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

Jobs

1,105,000

Projected total employment of project management specialists by 2034^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Salary

$100,750

Median annual salary for project management specialists as of May 2024^{(See disclaimer 2)}

Growth

6%

Projected job growth rate for project management specialists from 2024 to 2034^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Settings

Where Do Project Managers Work? Common Industries and Work Settings

Project managers can work across many different work settings and industries, from finance to construction and beyond. They usually work in an office setting, although some project managers may travel to work sites, such as construction sites. Although project managers may typically work usual business hours, some may need to extend the workday to accommodate clients in different time zones.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

A project manager’s work setting may include:^{(See disclaimer 3, 4)}

Construction

Project managers overseeing building projects must ensure each project is built to code and each jobsite adheres to safety requirements.

Manufacturing

Project managers at manufacturing companies may oversee projects such as facility expansion or the production of new products.

Technology

At technology companies, a project manager may work on projects to develop new mobile apps, software or AI algorithms.

Marketing

In marketing, project managers may plan and direct marketing campaigns for clients.

Career Path

How To Become a Project Manager: Education, Experience and Certifications

According to the BLS, project managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field.^{(See disclaimer 5)} Indeed states that work experience in their industry is often essential,^{(See disclaimer 6)} and some project managers seek advanced credentials, such as a master’s degree and/or certification in project management.^{(See disclaimer 7)}

Follow these steps in how to become a project manager:

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Start with a bachelor’s degree in a business field. If you plan to manage projects in a technical field, such as engineering, consider earning a degree in that field.

Gain Work Experience

Obtain work experience in your desired field. Take advantage of any available professional development opportunities.

Obtain Advanced Credentials

Consider earning a relevant master’s degree and/or project management certification.

Education

Project Management Degree Requirements

High School Diploma

Project managers are expected to hold a high school diploma. There are no specific high school classes that aspiring project managers must take, but some courses can be helpful. These include an introductory business class, public speaking, accounting and computer fundamentals.^{(See disclaimer 6)}

Project Management Degrees and Programs

5 Matching Degrees

Project Management Degrees

Skills

What Skills Does a Project Manager Need?

Project managers benefit from having expertise in their industry, such as engineering or information technology expertise. They also need a blend of soft skills that enable them to lead a team effectively.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

The most essential skills for a project manager include:^{(See disclaimer 4, 5)}

Leadership

They must provide strategic leadership to their team, supporting collaboration and resolving conflicts.

Communication Skills

Project managers must communicate externally with clients and internally with their team.

Time Management

These professionals must manage their own time effectively, as well as ensure that projects are completed on schedule.

Problem-Solving Skills

Unexpected issues can arise throughout the lifecycle of a project, and project managers must be able to resolve them.

Find Your Path

If you’re interested in alternative business careers, consider pursuing a pathway as a data scientist, financial analyst or management analyst.

Explore Careers in Business

Career Fit

Is a Project Manager Career the Right Fit for You?

A project management career may be a strong fit if you enjoy organizing details, leading teams, solving problems and helping people work toward a shared goal. Project managers often balance deadlines, budgets, stakeholder expectations and unexpected challenges, so this career can be well suited for people who are comfortable communicating, making decisions and keeping work on track.

However, project management may not be the best fit for everyone. If you prefer highly independent work, dislike changing priorities or are uncomfortable managing conflict, you may want to explore other business fields such as accounting, business analytics, finance, human resources or marketing. Comparing related career paths can help you choose a degree program that matches your strengths and long-term goals.

Project management may be a good fit if you:

Enjoy organizing tasks, timelines and resources
Communicate well with different types of people
Like solving problems and removing obstacles
Can stay calm when priorities change
Are comfortable leading teams and making decisions
Enjoy seeing a project move from idea to completion

Project management may not be the best fit if you:

Prefer working alone most of the time
Dislike deadlines or frequent status updates
Are uncomfortable addressing conflict
Prefer routine work with few changes
Do not enjoy coordinating people or details

Project Management Resources and Career Insights

Master’s in Project Management (MS) vs. MBA with Project Management Emphasis: What’s the Difference?

Interested in a project management career? Explore the differences between a master’s in project management vs. MBA and earn your degree at GCU today!

08/17/2020

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4 min read

Understanding PMP Exam Preparation

Explore best practices in PMP exam preparation and understand PMP vs. PMI. Earn your MBA in Project Management online at GCU!

09/17/2019

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6 min read

How to Control Scope on a Project

There are many aspects to a project and its scope. Here are some tips to gain control over your projects and make the most of your time and effort.

01/22/2020

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3 min read

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Project Manager

Have more questions about becoming a project manager? Review these answers to learn more about degree requirements, certifications, career timelines and how project management compares to related roles.

Do you need a degree to become a project manager?

What degree do you need to become a project manager?

A bachelor's degree in business is one of the most common paths into project management.^{(See disclaimer 5)} If you plan to manage projects in a technical field, such as engineering, information technology or construction, a degree in that field can be just as valuable.^{(See disclaimer 5)} Project managers may choose to later pursue a master's degree or graduate certificate to position themselves to potentially move into senior roles.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

How long does it take to become a project manager?

The timeline depends on your education and experience. Completing a bachelor's degree is generally the first step, and most employers also expect candidates to gain relevant work experience before moving into a project management role.^{(See disclaimer 5,6)} The time needed to finish a degree can vary based on factors such as transfer credits, course load and program format. Pursuing a relevant master's degree or a certification such as the PMP can add time upfront but may provide role opportunities once you're in the field.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

Is project management a good career?

Project management offers strong job stability and earning potential across nearly every industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% job growth for project management specialists from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 78,200 openings expected each year.^{(See disclaimer 1)} The median annual salary for this role was $100,750 as of May 2024.^{(See disclaimer 2)} Because project managers are needed in fields ranging from construction to technology to health care, the career offers flexibility to specialize in an industry that interests you.

What are the best certifications for project managers?

While certification isn't required, earning one can demonstrate expertise to employers.^{(See disclaimer 4)} The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers some of the most widely recognized credentials, including the Project Management Professional (PMP) for experienced project managers and the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) for those earlier in their careers.^{(See disclaimer 7)} Depending on your industry, certifications focused on agile methodologies or construction management can also be valuable.

What is the difference between a project manager and a program manager?

Start Your Path in Project Management

Build leadership, communication and problem-solving skills for a future in project management. Explore GCU’s business degree options and take the next step toward your career goals.

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COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Project Management Specialists, retrieved June 2026.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Project Management Specialists, as of May 2024, retrieved June 2026. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Project Management Specialists, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Project Management Specialists: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved June 2026.
Indeed Editorial Team. (2025, March 25). Learn About Being a Project Manager. Indeed. Retrieved June 2026.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). How to Become a Project Management Specialist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved June 2026.
Illinois WorkNet Center. (n.d.). Project Managers (Emerging) - Helpful High School Courses. Illinois Career Information System. Retrieved June 2026.
Project Management Institute (n.d.). Certifications. PMI. Retrieved June 2026.
Harper, J. (2025, Dec. 19). How To Become a Project Manager (With Salary). Indeed. Retrieved June 2026.

Project Manager Career Guide