Almost every company has a placement for a project manager, who spearheads the planning and supervision of projects. These professionals arrange project schedules to ensure project completion in the stipulated time and within budget.
The role of an entry-level project manager cannot be overemphasized in a workplace due to the irreplaceable value they contribute to the growth of the company. If you’re wondering how to find entry-level project manager jobs, then this guide is for you. In it, we’ll investigate the highest-paying entry-level project manager jobs and explore the required skills for an entry-level project manager job.
What Is Project Management and Why Is It Important?
Projects executed in almost every work environment are led by a project manager. The designation and monitoring of projects, updating of stakeholders, and other relevant tasks are the core roles of this employee. Without the harmony introduced by this role, companies will fail to meet their goals.
Companies use project management professionals to oversee the project lifecycle, create focus, control the quality of their output, minimize risks, reduce project costs, encourage teamwork, maximize resources, and encourage learning within the members of a project team.
An entry-level project manager may be a recent college or bootcamp graduate, or they could have recently changed careers. Often, an entry-level project manager does not require prior experience to handle their responsibilities, but they’ll need to know the basics of project management.
What Is the Job Outlook for Project Managers?
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the employment rate for project managers is expected to grow by six percent by 2024, and 33 percent by 2027. This means that a project management career path offers plenty of growth opportunities.
Top Reasons to Pursue a Career in Project Management
- Your role is highly relevant in every sector because every company executes projects.
- Regardless of your previous work or educational field, be it construction, architecture, fashion, design, computer science, robotics, or something else entirely, chances are you’ll be able to use your previous experience alongside your project management skills.
- Project management is such a versatile career in which the skills learned can be transferred to enhance your resume, no matter what field you move to.
- There is never a dull moment working as a project manager. This is due to the travel opportunities you will enjoy, the high tendency to meet new people, the ability to change from one industry to another, the learning environment, and so much more.
- The annual wages for project managers are high compared to those for other job roles. Glassdoor puts the average salary at $88,907 per year, with a high rate of job growth.
What Does an Entry-Level Project Manager Do?
The responsibility of an entry-level project manager is to work to improve the communication between the different departments in an organization. They are assigned different teams to manage and guide towards the completion of projects. Successful project managers use their communication skills to help various departmental groups to collaborate, manage project scheduling, and design timelines for the completion of project requirements.
Other project management processes include explaining the project strategy and how it aligns with the company’s goals and budget. As a project manager, you’ll also be monitoring employee progress, creating visual representations of the project processes, and making the necessary changes to these processes when the need arises.
Types of Entry-Level Project Manager Roles
IT Project Manager
IT project managers oversee and work on a company’s technical projects. Their role may include overseeing software developers and front end developers during projects, managing security or departmental infrastructure plans, or creating project plans that require liaising with experts with technical skills across various IT disciplines.
Construction Project Manager
Specialists in this role work in the construction field, overseeing construction processes across different organizations and categories, such as residential building construction or civil engineering construction.
These managers typically have previous experience in a construction-related field, so they have a good understanding of buildings and structural designs. A construction project manager may have control of resources. They use their leadership expertise to manage suppliers and clients to complete projects.
Digital Project Manager
A digital project manager is tasked with the responsibility of overseeing projects in line with online digital marketing initiatives. A digital project manager oversees marketing strategies through organising ad campaigns and devising social media marketing techniques. They work in client-facing businesses within agencies and large firms.
Common Responsibilities of Entry-Level Project Manager Jobs
- Working with external clients and internal stakeholders to create a process that ensures project ideas are developed into executable tasks.
- Leading, assembling, assigning, and managing teams towards project completion.
- Monitoring the progress of company projects and setting deadlines for each task.
- Using critical thinking skills to solve issues that arise during project execution, being the go-to person when something goes wrong.
- Evaluating and assessing a project for efficiency and effectiveness. This includes checking for shortcomings and using analytical skills to identify ways to fix them.
How Much Do Entry-Level Project Management Jobs Pay?
The pay of an entry-level project management job can vary based on a variety of factors, but an entry-level project manager can expect a paycheck within the range of $45,000 to $60,000 per year. According to Glassdoor, the average wage of an entry-level project manager is around $58,000 per year.
Entry-Level Project Manager Jobs That Pay the Most: Overview
| Job | Average Salary | Min. Education/ Training | Associated Mid and Senior Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT Project manager | $100,456 | Bachelor’s or master’s degree in IT-related fields | Technical project manager, senior IT project manager |
| Engineering project manager | $99,701 | Master’s degree in engineering or related fields | Project management engineer, senior engineering project manager |
| PMO manager | $94,366 | Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field | Mid and senior PMO manager |
| Construction project manager | $83,428 | Bachelor’s degree in construction engineering and related fields | Design and construction manager and senior construction manager |
| Project management consultant | $81,716 | Bachelor’s degree in project management and related fields | Consultant manager, senior management consultant |
| Marketing project manager | $58,107 | Bachelor’s degree in marketing and/or project management | Marketing manager, marketing specialist |
Best Entry-Level Project Manager Jobs: A Closer Look
IT Project Manager
This is the highest-paying project management career path. Your basic responsibilities as an IT project manager include handling all projects related to IT operations through the development and implementation phases. You will also establish IT goals for the company, oversee the IT processes and ensure that all projects have the necessary resources for completion.
IT Project Manager Responsibilities
- Establish IT goals.
- Oversee IT processes.
- Ensure availability of resources for project completion.
Engineering Project Manager
If you’re looking to become an engineering project manager, your core responsibilities are to supervise and monitor engineering projects, leading to project success. You will handle the scheduling for engineering projects, and perform cost control when overseeing the purchasing of all necessary materials for the projects.
Engineering Project Manager Responsibilities
- Schedule engineering projects.
- Project supervision until completion.
- Oversee purchasing of materials for projects.
PMO Project Manager
This role is also known as a project management office manager. This manager ensures that each member of the project management team executes their tasks appropriately. They also supervise them to ensure that they meet certain benchmarks and expected deadlines.
PMO Project Manager Responsibilities
- Supervise project towards the deadline.
- Ensure task execution from project managers.
- Monitor smooth working relationships between managers and clients.
Construction Project Manager
The construction project manager is responsible for the management of the company’s physical and administrative tasks related to construction projects and they often have prior construction experience. These construction professionals also handle the planning and the logistics of construction projects and maintain the timeliness and budget implementation of each project.
Construction Project Manager Responsibilities
- Oversee construction projects.
- Plan logistics of projects.
- Maintain project timelines.
Project Management Consultant
Managers in this role are responsible for helping company clients improve the efficiency of their processes. They advise clients on the best practices for project management, introduce project management tools such as project management software and project documentation, and offer solutions to poor processes or efficiency problems.
Project Management Consultant Responsibilities
- Provide advisory services on project management best practices.
- Oversee implementation of project procedures.
- Create solutions to efficiency problems.
Marketing Project Manager
Managers in this role are responsible for the supervision of all projects under the marketing and advertising departments. They plan the company’s marketing campaigns and collaborate with the marketing director to ensure that marketing projects are completed successfully.
Marketing Project Manager Responsibilities
- Oversee marketing and advertising team.
- Plan marketing campaign.
- Collaborate with marketing and advertising departments.
What Types of Companies Hire Entry-Level Project Managers?
Entry-level project managers are hired across various companies due to their relevance. Companies hiring such managers consist of science and technology firms, engineering and construction firms, energy companies, aerospace and defense companies, marketing, financial and banking firms, and many others.
Career Progression: Mid- and Senior-Level Project Manager Roles
Mid-Level Project Manager Jobs
Mid-level Project Management Specialist
- Average salary: $79,799
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level project manager.
- Responsibilities: Plan and designate the project, prepare the budget.
Mid-level Facilities Project Administrator
- Average salary: $85,470
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level facilities project manager.
- Responsibilities: Plan and oversee the project, designate resources.
Mid-level IT Project Manager
- Average salary: $104,126
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level IT project manager.
- Responsibilities: Provide project planning, manage resources.
Mid-level Environmental Scientist
- Average salary: $82,103
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level environmental project manager.
- Responsibilities: Plan project, prepare the budget, monitor progress.
Mid-level Business Operations Specialist
- Average salary: $86,884
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level business operations project manager.
- Responsibilities: Monitor project manager, inform stakeholders.
Senior Project Manager Jobs
Business Development Director
- Average salary: $110,578
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level project manager.
- Responsibilities: Develop business strategy, supervise operations.
Senior Managing Consultant
- Average salary: $170,520
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level consultant manager.
- Responsibilities: Solve issues, maximize growth.
Senior Project Manager
- Average salary: $119,754
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level project manager.
- Responsibilities: Plan and oversee projects, monitor progress.
Chief Operating Officer
- Average salary: $158,826
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level PMO project manager.
- Responsibilities: Oversee day-to-day business operations, provide oversight for administrative and facilities logistics.
IT Project Specialist
- Average salary: $95,080
- Related entry-level roles: Entry-level IT project manager.
- Responsibilities: Design, manage, and monitor technology products.
How to Get a Job in Project Management
To get an entry-level project manager job, you need to identify jobs you enjoy doing and select a role. This key role requires you to have skills in caretaking and people management, as project management jobs will be under categories such as project coordinator, planner, controller, or analyst.
You’ll also need to garner the necessary skills and a certain level of knowledge of project management, helping you to handle the sometimes daunting tasks involved in managing the late-stage development of a project. You may need to gain some specific project management certifications to be qualified for a project management role, but this doesn’t mean that you need a four-year degree.
Required Skills for an Entry-Level Project Manager Job
- Industry Knowledge: A project manager knows and understands the industry and company’s needs, and makes informed decisions concerning its projects.
- Leadership: Strong leadership skills are necessary to help management with effective decisions, and to motivate and instruct staff accordingly.
- Adaptability: This enables a project manager to attend to the periodic needs of different project teams and departments and provide help as required.
- Interpersonal skills: Executing projects in companies requires soft skills to facilitate clear and effective communication and connections between managers and staff. Interpersonal skills are necessary for things to flow efficiently.
- Budgeting: This is a vital skill for a project management career path, since a project coordinator tracks projects based on planned budgets and available resources. This skill allows the manager to assign the appropriate amount of money to projects to ensure completion without interruption or suspension.
Top Certifications for Entry-Level Project Management
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM): CAPM trains people who intend to manage projects, and adds project management skills to their portfolios and resumes.
- Project Management Professional (PMP): This is one of the most popular and globally recognized project management certificates. It trains you on the basics of project management, like organizational scheduling techniques, and gives you preference when applying for placements in this field.
- Agile Certified Professional (PMI-ACP): This certifies your competency in a certain style of project management, known as agile project management. It proves your adaptability and ability to oversee short sprints in the workplace.
- Program Management Professional (PgMP): The PgMP is a certification that builds you for an advanced project manager career path and helps you oversee multiple company projects and complex tasks across various organizations.
- PMI Project Management Ready: Taking this certificate course gives you a unique credential that equips you with basic project management concepts. It enhances your management and organizational skills to boost your employment growth, letting you move past an entry-level position.
Can You Get an Entry-Level Project Manager Job with a Coding Bootcamp?
Yes, you can get an entry-level project management job with a coding bootcamp. A top coding bootcamp boosts your resume and improves your chances of landing a job as an entry-level project manager, especially in the IT field. You’ll need to gain knowledge of project management techniques, separately, though.
Top Project Management Bootcamps
Best Resources for Project Management
Finances Online
This is an online community that discusses and contains resources on project management, including certifications, training, toolkits, podcasts, video channels, and other additional resources.
PM Solutions
PM Solutions is a top spot to find online resources on project management. It contains virtual project services, team learning contents, and a library containing tools, processes, and templates which project management enthusiasts will find helpful.
Mike Cohn’s Blog
Mike Cohn’s blog is focused on project management completely. It contains books, coaching series, and other helpful materials.
Is a Career in Project Management for You?
If you have an eye for organizing, planning, and solving problems in different settings or spaces, then a career in project management is a good fit for you. It is one of the most sought-after jobs in the world today. It offers a wide variety of work opportunities with above-average salaries. This career can be demanding and stressful at times, but it is very promising and offers a good job outlook.
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Entry-Level Project Manager Jobs FAQ
Yes, project management is a fulfilling career with plenty of variety, a competitive average annual salary, and highly sought-after roles.
Project managers are highly paid, with their average yearly salary at $88,907, according to Glassdoor.
Four major project management skills are problem-solving, communication, time management skills, and organizational awareness.
Yes, being a project manager can be a stressful job, but certain levels of job stress may be expected for optimal performance. As you become an experienced project manager, you will find the job easier and less stressful.
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