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What is a capital project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.

The capital projects manager is an individual and leadership position that combines senior engineering, personnel management, and large-scale project management. The capital projects manager requires advanced knowledge of engineering and architectural design principles, practices, procedures, estimating and project accounting, construction methods, and the principles, methods, and ways of project management. Advancement to this position is based on need and requires the ability to originate and complete large, multi-disciplinary projects.

For this position, they will require a bachelor's degree in a civil or related engineering discipline and five years of progressive experience in civil engineering, including design and projects, with at least two years of project leadership.

Additionally, they also require a valid driver's license and registration as a professional engineer alongside six months of employment experience.

What general advice would you give to a capital project manager?

Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.Nicole Jones Young Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior, Franklin and Marshall College

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.
ScoreCapital Project ManagerUS Average
Salary
6.2

Avg. Salary $79,852

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.8

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.56%

Asian 2.85%

Black or African American 3.73%

Hispanic or Latino 17.62%

Unknown 4.45%

White 70.78%

Gender

female 22.43%

male 77.57%

Age - 46
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 - 46
Stress level
7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
2.8

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Capital project manager career paths

Key steps to become a capital project manager

  1. Explore capital project manager education requirements

    Most common capital project manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    70.2 %

    Master's

    17.1 %

    Associate

    8.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific capital project manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management16.65%
    Portfolio6.18%
    Construction Management5.28%
    Project Scope4.61%
    Construction Projects4.55%
  3. Complete relevant capital project manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 2-4 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New capital project 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 a capital project manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real capital project manager resumes.
  4. Research capital project manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage clinical trial projects according to study protocol, FDA and sponsor guidelines.
    • Manage special projects including store fixture and flooring upgrades; electrical, HVAC and data modifications.
    • Coordinate operations performance cost effectiveness, preparing submittals and managing request for information (RFI).
    • Manage and conduct the development of a SharePoint base system for providing notifications of application and automation releases throughout the enterprise.
  5. Prepare your capital project manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your capital project manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a capital project manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable capital project manager resume templates

    Build a professional capital project manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your capital project manager resume.
    Capital Project Manager Resume
    Capital Project Manager Resume
    Capital Project Manager Resume
    Capital Project Manager Resume
    Capital Project Manager Resume
    Capital Project Manager Resume
    Capital Project Manager Resume
    Capital Project Manager Resume
    Capital Project Manager Resume
  6. Apply for capital project manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a capital project manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first capital project manager job

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Average capital project manager salary

The average capital project manager salary in the United States is $79,852 per year or $38 per hour. Capital project manager salaries range between $53,000 and $118,000 per year.

Average capital project manager salary
$79,852 Yearly
$38.39 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do capital project managers rate their job?

-/5

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Capital project manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Pros

I like to work with a team. Satisfaction of seeing the successful completion of a project

Cons

Strict deadlines, and stakeholders. Feeling undervalued or underappreciated.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I enjoy problem-solving and identifying a path to completing a complex project. I like to ensure that moving parts come together smoothly and communicating successes and celebrating with the team.

Cons

Without the right support from project sponsors, a project manager is doomed to failure. There is an enormous amount of responsibility on a project manager to deliver a product on time and on budget, though without proper authority or backing, it's basically wheel spinning.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Pros

I like working with Clients and challenges.

Cons

I would rather work remote with little travel.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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