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Job outlook for associate project managers in the United States
Associate project manager job and salary trends over time
Associate project manager jobs over time
Associate project manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 222,451 | 0.07% |
| 2020 | 656,593 | 0.20% |
| 2019 | 554,303 | 0.17% |
| 2018 | 206,725 | 0.06% |
| 2017 | 192,078 | 0.06% |
Average associate project manager salary over time
Associate project manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $89,452 | $43.01 | +4.2% |
| 2024 | $85,805 | $41.25 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $84,696 | $40.72 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $83,223 | $40.01 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | $82,719 | $39.77 | +0.1% |
Associate project manager jobs by state
Most common states for associate project managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 843 | 121% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 2,525 | 34% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,203 | 32% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,651 | 31% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 281 | 27% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,555 | 26% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,059 | 26% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 317 | 24% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 234 | 24% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,299 | 23% |
| 11 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 175 | 23% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 675 | 22% |
| 13 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 220 | 21% |
| 14 | Alaska | 739,795 | 159 | 21% |
| 15 | Vermont | 623,657 | 133 | 21% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 374 | 19% |
| 17 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,246 | 18% |
| 18 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,907 | 18% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,847 | 18% |
| 20 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,663 | 18% |
Most common cities for associate project managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 5 | 13% | $105,146 |
| 2 | Dover | 5 | 13% | $99,630 |
| 3 | Hartford | 8 | 6% | $123,599 |
| 4 | Tallahassee | 7 | 4% | $86,480 |
| 5 | Lansing | 5 | 4% | $102,350 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 14 | 3% | $102,308 |
| 7 | Boston | 12 | 2% | $106,244 |
| 8 | Baton Rouge | 5 | 2% | $91,682 |
| 9 | Des Moines | 5 | 2% | $100,781 |
| 10 | Montgomery | 5 | 2% | $85,952 |
| 11 | Orlando | 5 | 2% | $85,472 |
| 12 | Denver | 8 | 1% | $78,603 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 7 | 1% | $94,920 |
| 14 | New York | 13 | 0% | $113,109 |
| 15 | Chicago | 8 | 0% | $98,175 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 8 | 0% | $88,827 |
| 17 | Los Angeles | 6 | 0% | $98,344 |
Associate Project Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of associate project manager experts
Ohio State University
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Kansas State University
Swarthmore College
Western Carolina University
Auburn University at Montgomery
Maryville University
Azusa Pacific University
University of Minnesota Crookston
Northeastern University
Franklin and Marshall College
Binghamton University
Old Dominion University
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Indiana Wesleyan University
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Dalton State
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD
Professor of Practice: Horticulture and Crop ScienceOhio State University
Applied Horticulture And Horticultural Business Services
What Associate Project Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD: There are more than enough positions out there to find one with a good starting salary. Apply for as many as you can.
Be willing to relocate to another city or state.
What will help Associate Project Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD: There are more than enough positions out there to find one with a good starting salary. Apply for as many as you can.
Be willing to relocate to another city or state.
Dr. Longzhu Dong Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Management + Marketing Department
What soft skills should all Associate Project Managers possess?
Dr. Longzhu Dong Ph.D.: The world of international business has changed a great deal in the past few years. Due to increased globalization, massive technological advances in online coordination, and the Covid pandemic, the need to develop project managers who can lead fully functioning global virtual teams (GVTs) has never been greater. Indeed, studies show that virtual teams are becoming the norm, and more and more multinational companies rely on GVTs to deal with their day-to-day challenges.
However, leading and working in GVTs poses unique challenges that traditional leadership approaches do not seem suited to tackling well. Such challenges include cross-cultural misunderstandings, lack of trust and spontaneity, poor communication, hard to focus and hold teammates accountable, all of which may result in low productivity. Therefore, to thrive in the international business world today, a manager may need an entirely different set of skills.
Perhaps the most important soft skill is cultural intelligence (CQ). CQ refers to the ability to relate and work effectively across different cultures, triggering a train reaction in GVTs. It first requires people to have an open mindset, which helps them realize that cultural differences are just differences and that every culture has its own way of defining "right" and "wrong." Just as the famous Confucius teaching goes, "all people are the same; only their habits differ." Indeed, when differences are seen as something neutral, the negative consequences of cultural bias can be minimized. CQ can also improve GVT communication effectiveness by better understanding visual and auditory cues such as body language and facial expressions so that GVT members will not form false impressions based on stereotypes. When everyone on your team is ready for open dialogue, GVTs can easily clarify shared team goals and guidelines, set clear expectations of each role, and foster trust along the way.
If CQ is the most important soft skill, then being tech-savvy would be the most important hard skill. Technological advances in online coordination/communication make global virtual teams possible and function well. As of right now, there are a lot of great online tools (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) that integrate all key types of communication: conference call, breakout rooms, text messaging, file sharing, and online collaboration. However, simply being able to use various virtual meeting tools well is not enough because there's no one-size-fits-all tool for every team all the time. Being tech-savvy asks managers to steer the digital transformation in their teams promptly. It requires managers to constantly evaluate the emerging new technologies and make sure their choice of the tools "fits" their teams' needs over time, which may include members' network conditions, tool preferences, work style, tech skill levels, and the nature of the task/project.
Working in a global virtual team isn't necessarily only about challenges and lower productivity. It can become a valuable advantage and even build a 24/7 work cycle in teams, with proper training on CQ and technological skills.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Associate Project Managers?
Brett Horton Ph.D.: The successful leaders are those who:
- Have a degree in hospitality management and understand what just occurred.
-There are few certifications necessary for work in the hospitality. Food safety is required for some positions, but this has likely been obtained while in school. Additional certifications may be obtained in the first 5 years of employment.
What will help Associate Project Managers increase their earning potential?
Brett Horton Ph.D.: - Willingness to take on increased responsibility
- Willingness to move locations
- Willingness to work in different departments to learn and grow with the organization
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Associate Project Managers?
Stephen O'Connell: Recessions are a tough time to enter the job market and we're in the worst recession since the Great Depression. It remains to be seen whether the labor market will bounce back strongly, but it certainly won't bounce back in time to ease the situation of the class of '21 very much. Be ready to be persistent and resilient in your job search.
On the positive side for public policy work, the Trump Administration and the pandemic have left us with immense challenges of resuming normal, evidence-based policymaking and managing recovery from the pandemic. So public policy analysis may be a more robust area of the job market.
What's a good job out of college for Associate Project Managers?
Stephen O'Connell: Work that uses your skills and builds new ones. There is a premium on your own flexibility over the couple of years, with a lot of job-market volatility due to uncertain structural impacts of the pandemic.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Associate Project Managers?
Angela Sebby Ph.D.: While jobs may be slower to return to the capacity pre-Covid, the industry and tourism employment will rebound as people still want to travel and explore diverse foods, cultures, and experiences. However, the enduring impact will be the rapid onset of technology that allowed for limited contact with employees and others has become the new norm. Although human interaction is an important aspect of service in the tourism industry, employers have found that they can reduce the number of personal interactions but still deliver an acceptable level of quality service. What would have taken years to adopt, COVID created an amplified adoption.
What technical skills for an Associate Project Manager stand out to employers?
Angela Sebby Ph.D.: Business, creative, and organizational skills - I would recommend that upcoming graduates are proficient in Word, Excel (highly used), Powerpoint, Outlook (especially how to send meeting requests and calendar organization), TEAMS, Gantt charts for team management, Mindmapping for creativity, and design software. Additionally, I would recommend that they learn how to properly utilize social media for marketing and PR, not just personal posting. Finally, email etiquette would be essential.
What soft skills should all Associate Project Managers possess?
TeWhan Hahn Ph.D.: Writing skills including email writing, being able to work in teams, and knowing the workplace etiquettes.
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.
Program Director & Assistant ProfessorMaryville University
Speech-Language Pathology
What's a day at work look like for an Associate Project Manager?
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.: 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!
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Associate Project Managers?
Bala Musa Ph.D.: Digital literacy, cultural literacy, information technology, data management and human communication skills courses and certifications will continue to be relevant in the workplace.
What's a good job out of college for Associate Project Managers?
Bala Musa Ph.D.: A good job out of college is one that allows you to apply creative and critical thinking skills. Future work environments will require employees to innovate and adapt. Any job that helps you cultivate, sharpen and apply those skills will serve you and your organization well. It will prepare you to adapt in the face of change and future disruptions.
What skills stand out on Associate Project Manager resumes?
Rutherford Johnson Ph.D.: Well, familiarity and proficiency with the technology I just described is now important. I also always promote language as a highly valuable skill -- and if you are working internationally, even remotely, it is a definite skill that makes you stand out. Even though English is now the main international language, do not just rely on that if that is your main language. Knowing the language of your clients, for example, even just a little of it, can pay off and make you get noticed. It also helps you understand the culture and people of that country a lot better.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Associate 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 general advice would you give to an Associate Project Manager?
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.: Be flexible. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a lot of uncertainty, but has created new opportunities in others. Staying flexible allows individuals to shift focus away from industries or occupations that may be in decline, and re-focus on employment opportunities that may be more aligned with our current moment.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Associate 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.
Denise Lorenzetti
Director of Binghamton University's Fleishman Center for Career and Professional DevelopmentBinghamton University
Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Associate Project Manager job market given the pandemic?
Denise Lorenzetti: It is likely to see a continuation of remote job opportunities even after the pandemic is resolved. Many positions that have been successfully moved to remote options may in fact stay remote, depending on the employer.
The pandemic has increased the number of jobs available in specific industries and decreased the amount in others.
Industries and fields that have and will likely continue to grow include:
Supply chain/logistics and positions related to production, distribution, and selling of goods such as e-commerce
Technology and industries that help support businesses such as software, developers, artificial intelligence.
Healthcare
Biotechnology
The service industries were affected by the pandemic, making these positions harder to come by. This would include entertainment, travel, lodging, and full-service restaurants among others.
What skills stand out on Associate Project Manager resumes?
Denise Lorenzetti: Employers have been placing a large emphasis on finding candidates with skills that demonstrate the ability to utilize technology and demonstrate adaptability, resilience and taking initiative.
Tech skills such as programming, coding, and Excel continue to be valuable to employers for both tech and non-tech roles.
Employers are also interested in learning how graduates spent their time during the pandemic. If internships were not an option, continuing to build skills through online classes such as LinkedIn Learning or Coursera, virtually volunteering, and demonstrating to employers a commitment to growing during the pandemic is critically important.
Job seekers can demonstrate this by earning microcredentials and digital badges relevant to the industry they are interested in or in areas they are passionate about.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Associate Project Managers?
Robert Mcnab Ph.D.: Graduates will enter a workplace that is dramatically different than a couple of years ago. Remote work, which once was frowned upon by many managers, has become commonplace for many organizations. It is likely that many graduates will do most of their interviewing on Zoom or similar software and some may start their jobs remotely. We should not expect remote interviewing to go away as it increases efficiency and effectiveness. Economics graduates are likely to be in demand given the numerous economic shocks from the pandemic. Understanding how to communicate economic concepts and apply tools and techniques is of increasing importance.
Mark Paquette
Principal Program CoordinatorUniversity of Colorado Colorado Springs
College of Business
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Associate 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 are the biggest trends we'll see in the Associate Project Manager job market given the pandemic?
Joseph Snider: For IT, managing a virtual team in a pandemic where everyone is working remotely is a big trend that will likely last after the pandemic is over. Corporations are now renting out building space or selling them since they have found that their workers can be successful at home.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Associate Project Managers to find work opportunities?
Joseph Snider: There are many opportunities in the South right now. With major tech companies moving to Texas, that is now going to be a hot spot.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Associate Project Manager job market given the pandemic?
Cortnee Young: I believe work-from-home/virtual job opportunities will become more available. For recent graduates, this comes with pros and cons. I believe a big pro is the availability to more opportunity (versus narrowing down their search to specific geographic locations). A major con that I see would be the inability to learn hands-on skills and teachable moments from being in the office, for their first job.