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Job outlook for assistant project managers in the United States
Assistant project manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected assistant project manager job growth rate is -2% from 2018-2028.
About -4,400 new jobs for assistant project managers are projected over the next decade.
Assistant project manager salaries have increased 8% for assistant project managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 266,345 assistant project managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 119,279 active assistant project manager job openings in the US.
The average assistant project manager salary is $76,020.
Are assistant project manager jobs in demand?
Assistant project manager job and salary trends over time
Assistant project manager jobs over time
Assistant project manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 266,345 | 0.08% |
| 2020 | 647,439 | 0.19% |
| 2019 | 573,668 | 0.17% |
| 2018 | 254,488 | 0.08% |
| 2017 | 241,470 | 0.07% |
Average assistant project manager salary over time
Assistant project manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $76,020 | $36.55 | +4.2% |
| 2024 | $72,921 | $35.06 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $71,979 | $34.61 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $70,727 | $34.00 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | $70,298 | $33.80 | +0.1% |
Assistant project manager jobs by state
Most common states for assistant project managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 656 | 95% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 184 | 24% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,256 | 23% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 142 | 23% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,895 | 22% |
| 6 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,654 | 22% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,483 | 22% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 128 | 22% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 286 | 21% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,203 | 20% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 381 | 20% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 718 | 17% |
| 13 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 358 | 17% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 292 | 17% |
| 15 | Delaware | 961,939 | 162 | 17% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 946 | 16% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 512 | 16% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 471 | 16% |
| 19 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 171 | 16% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 204 | 15% |
Most common cities for assistant project managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novi | 16 | 27% | $75,576 |
| 2 | Atlanta | 57 | 12% | $65,311 |
| 3 | Fort Lauderdale | 15 | 8% | $61,210 |
| 4 | Boston | 40 | 6% | $83,827 |
| 5 | Minneapolis | 26 | 6% | $70,335 |
| 6 | Washington | 33 | 5% | $79,159 |
| 7 | Miami | 23 | 5% | $61,117 |
| 8 | Chicago | 98 | 4% | $67,703 |
| 9 | Charlotte | 23 | 3% | $70,915 |
| 10 | Denver | 18 | 3% | $66,740 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 17 | 2% | $68,779 |
| 12 | Jacksonville | 17 | 2% | $61,767 |
| 13 | San Francisco | 14 | 2% | $94,481 |
| 14 | New York | 67 | 1% | $80,495 |
| 15 | Los Angeles | 29 | 1% | $88,141 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 21 | 1% | $81,479 |
| 17 | Dallas | 19 | 1% | $69,907 |
| 18 | San Diego | 19 | 1% | $84,697 |
| 19 | Houston | 17 | 1% | $70,281 |
| 20 | Austin | 14 | 1% | $70,855 |
Assistant Project Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of assistant project manager experts
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Kennesaw State University
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Weber State University
Pennsylvania State University
Northeastern University
Franklin and Marshall College
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
University of Texas
Dr. John Cabage
Chair, Associate ProfessorSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Project Manager?
Dr. John Cabage: Along with the traditional approaches in general education, a graduate must embrace technology changes. In the future, we will see robotics prevalent in construction work. We already see the obsolescence of blueprints in favor of portable computers. We see the growing contribution of technology with constructors using virtual and augmented reality, with artificial intelligence as tools for preparing bids, estimates, schedule, visualization, and quality checks.
What Assistant Project Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. John Cabage: The Construction Industry is robust and vital for the health of our nation. The industry is growing and will continue to grow in the future. Projects are becoming larger and more complex requiring teamwork and collaboration from partners of all walks both internal and external to the construction community.
Irish Horsey Ph.D.
Interim Chair of the Department of Construction Management and Assistant ProfessorKennesaw State University
Department of Construction Management
What skills stand out on Assistant Project Manager resumes?
Irish Horsey Ph.D.: Construction Managers are problem solvers. Employers seek analytical, technical, and effective communication skills from potential employees for construction management positions. Whether building a skyscraper or single-family home, there are always groups of people performing numerous construction activities and tasks simultaneously on a construction site. Therefore, resumes that show time, cost, and, most importantly, safety management skills are most desired by employers.
What soft skills should all Assistant Project Managers possess?
Irish Horsey Ph.D.: Leadership and communication are among the most essential skills of a construction manager. Construction managers are responsible for ensuring that projects are built safely on schedule, within budget, and to the quality outlined in the drawings and specifications. To fulfill these responsibilities, construction managers must lead multiple teams, including primary, secondary, and third party players, on a construction project through effective oral and written communications.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Assistant Project Managers?
Irish Horsey Ph.D.: Construction Managers are project managers with specialized technical skills. Construction managers' most important technical skills are print reading, estimating, scheduling, project and technology management.
What skills will help Assistant Project Managers earn the most?
Irish Horsey Ph.D.: The key to the highest earning potential in construction is experience. However, a potential employee that can show success in managing people, budgets, and schedules while using the latest tools in construction technology such as drones, building information modeling (BIM), smart devices, computer-automated design (CAD), and cloud-based project controls software is likely to be more attractive to employers. Construction projects are complex and risky. Someone with the technical skills to foresee problems and minimize risks is invaluable to an employer.
David Rockwood
Architect, Professor, DArch Program DirectorUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa
School of Architecture
What hard/technical skills are most important for Assistant Project Managers?
David Rockwood: -construction process/sequencing
-structural and MEP systems knowledge
-scheduling and workflow
What skills will help Assistant Project Managers earn the most?
David Rockwood: -ability to lead and manage large complex projects
-ability to provide oversight and judgment as to best practices
What will help Assistant Project Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. A. Tye Gardner Ph.D.: Getting a master's degree goes a long way to making candidates stand out and improving earnings. My recommendation is to tailor your MS degree to the specific field you're interested in working in, because employers really want to see candidates that are passionate about the field, and very few people survive a graduate degree without at least a little passion. Available salary data indicates that if you choose an affordable program (let's just say Weber State University), it takes only a few years to pay off the added cost, increases starting salaries, and dramatically improves long-term earning potential. Moreover, you can find electrical engineers with MBAs at C-level positions all over the country. It turns out being an EE makes you a good candidate for business leadership.
What's a good job out of college for Assistant Project Managers?
Martin Pietrucha Ph.D.: Any job when you are getting out of college is a good job. Government, consulting, small organization, large organization-each of these provide valuable experience for the engineer just starting out in a career. There is something to be learned from each of these fundamentally different kinds of experiences. In government service, you get great exposure to the regulatory side of the field. In consulting, you get to experience the business aspects of engineering and client relations. In a big organization, you get to bore down and develop some very specific expertise in a technical area. In a small firm, you get to do a little bit of everything.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Assistant Project Manager job market given the pandemic?
Ravi Sarathy Ph.D.: Growth in global supply chain and their management, AI and cloud-based software development and solutions, in areas such as global payments, and crowdfunding, and healthcare, using remote healthcare counseling and links to healthcare monitoring devices, developed in global innovation teams, as well as home healthcare combining remote personnel with intelligent health monitoring devices. And more broadly, a significant increase in remote working, on a global scale and through global virtual collaboration.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Assistant Project Manager job market given the pandemic?
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.: One big trend we will see is the continuation of working from home. It may not be for all employees every day, but I think that is definitely here to stay. Many employees have been asking for this benefit for years. After almost a year of working from home, many employers that were reluctant in the past have likely realized that employees can still be very productive and they can decrease expenses related to office space.
Another is related to the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion related efforts. While the majority of the country was quarantined, we all witnessed the same horrific murder of George Floyd, and there was nothing else to distract us from finally directly addressing issues related to race in this country. Many employees of color, and particularly Black employees, are no longer interested in making everyone else around them feel comfortable. Organizations that issued statements and initiatives in the spring will likely be held more accountable than ever before.
Another trend may be the elimination of jobs in their previous iteration. Many companies that have survived, or even thrived, during COVID likely did so by adapting. As such, these organizations may not return to their prior ways of doing business, which may require employees and applicants to increase or highlight a different skill set.
Mark Paquette
Principal Program CoordinatorUniversity of Colorado Colorado Springs
College of Business
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Assistant Project Managers to find work opportunities?
Mark Paquette: There are so many places to find opportunities in marketing that it is difficult to pinpoint specific places or sites. Of course LinkedIn, Indeed, and Handshake (if one's school subscribes) are great resources, but depending on the marketing focus and overall experience, one may find benefit in sites such as MarketingJobs.com or Krop. I would also encourage individuals to look at the professional associations relevant to their field. For example, the American Marketing Association has a job board dedicated to marketing roles. Finally, the best source for finding opportunities is by networking. Identify companies of interest, reach out to individuals you know with connections or use LinkedIn to source potential options. Networking is the best way to find opportunities that perhaps haven't yet, or never will be, posted online.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Project Manager?
Adeeba Raheem Ph.D.: In the evolving landscape of the construction profession, several skills are poised to become increasingly important and prevalent over the next 3-5 years. Firstly, proficiency in digital technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) will be essential for enhancing project planning, visualization, and collaboration. Additionally, expertise in sustainable construction practices and alternative project delivery methods will become increasingly valuable as environmental concerns and the desire for efficiency continue to drive industry trends.
What Assistant Project Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Adeeba Raheem Ph.D.: Prioritize obtaining relevant certifications early on in your career. These credentials can enhance your qualifications and marketability, potentially leading to higher starting salaries. As you gain experience, strive to take on leadership roles and demonstrate your ability to manage projects, teams, and resources effectively. Leadership skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict resolution are highly valued in the construction industry. Ultimately, remember that success in construction is not solely about expertise; it also hinges on upholding integrity, diligence, and ethical standards.
What will help Assistant Project Managers increase their earning potential?
Adeeba Raheem Ph.D.: For a graduate embarking on a career in construction, remember that every project is an opportunity to learn and grow. Cultivate strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively collaborate with colleagues, contractors, and clients. Additionally, prioritize continuous learning, staying abreast of the latest trends, technologies, and best practices through seminars, workshops, and professional development courses. Finally, never underestimate the importance of building and maintaining relationships—trust and integrity are the cornerstones of a successful career in construction.