What is an assistant program manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted expert

Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.

An assistant program manager is an individual who assists a program manager in overseeing and coordinating various projects within an organization. They work closely with the program manager to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet the organization's goals. Assistant program managers are responsible for organizing project schedules, tracking project progress, and communicating with team members. Overall, they play a critical role in ensuring the success of many projects.

What's a day at work look like for an assistant program manager?

Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.

Program Director & Assistant Professor, Maryville University

A bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders can prepare you for three different tracks. First, it can prepare you to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). This is someone who works under a fully credential speech-language pathologist. Often times, they carryout intervention plans developed by a fully credentialed speech-language pathologist. If graduate school is on your horizon, a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders will prepare you for acceptance into a Speech-Language Pathology program, or an Audiology program. If you are not accepted into a graduate program right away, working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a great way to get experience in the field!

ScoreAssistant Program ManagerUS Average

Salary

4.2

Avg. Salary $53,402

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.9

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.18%

Asian 6.83%

Black or African American 12.76%

Hispanic or Latino 16.66%

Unknown 5.19%

White 56.39%

Gender

female 57.19%

male 42.81%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an assistant program manager?

Pros

Opportunity to gain experience in program management
Exposure to high-level decision-making and strategy development
Chance to work with a diverse group of individuals and stakeholders
Possibility for career advancement within the organization
Opportunity to develop and improve project management skills

Cons

Long hours and demanding workload, particularly during peak periods
High-pressure environment with tight deadlines and expectations
Heavy responsibility for project outcomes and success
Limited autonomy in decision-making and project planning
Constant need to balance competing priorities and demands

Key steps to become an assistant program manager

Explore assistant program manager education requirements

Most common assistant program manager degrees

Bachelor's

64.6 %

Master's

14.4 %

Associate

12.2 %

Start to develop specific assistant program manager skills

Skills	Percentages
CPR	9.56%
Program Management	8.45%
APM	7.38%
Customer Service	7.12%
Kids	5.33%

Complete relevant assistant program manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New assistant program managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an assistant program manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real assistant program manager resumes.

Research assistant program manager duties and responsibilities

Conduct daily clinical documentation audits, manage consumer financial accounts, provide oversight and approval for all treatment and discharge planning.
Oversee scheduling of camp arrivals on campus, assist manager with preparation of unit budget and payroll.
Hire and supervise employees, employee scheduling, continue employee training, facilitating staff meetings and preparing payroll reports.
Assist in collecting statistical report data & assist in the completion other relate program documents in compliance with HUD correspondence.

Prepare your assistant program manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your assistant program manager resume.

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