Post Job

What is a contract project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.,
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.
introduction image

Contract project managers are responsible for coordinating every aspect of a project, reviewing and approving contract terms to coordinating deadlines, and supporting budgets. They draft and revise a variety of contracts with customers as well as providing advice and guidance to the different teams relating to contract generation. They also maintain an excellent working relationship with clients to ensure that their needs are met.

Contract project managers are required to monitor and inspect contract projects to maintain a high level of safety and quality traffic control. They also ensure that the organization's internal contract documents are accurate and well maintained. A great contract project manager needs to possess excellent time management skills and a keen eye for detail.

Contract project managers typically hold a bachelor's degree in finance, business management, or other related fields. They are expected to have some years of extensive relevant experience. Some employers prefer candidates with strong computer skills and knowledge of standard programs such as Microsoft Office and G Suite, as well as possessing the ability to manage confidential information professionally. Contract project managers earn an average salary of approximately $70,000 annually, or $34 per hour.

What general advice would you give to a Contract 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.
ScoreContract Project ManagerUS Average
Salary
6.3

Avg. Salary $81,263

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 3.72%

Hispanic or Latino 17.56%

Unknown 4.45%

White 70.86%

Gender

female 33.86%

male 66.14%

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

Newest jobs for Contract Project Manager in Ashburn, VA

Receive alerts for the newest job postings.

Contract Project Manager career paths

Key steps to become a contract project manager

  1. Explore contract project manager education requirements

    Most common contract project manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.2 %

    Master's

    13.5 %

    Associate

    12.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific contract project manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management21.25%
    Project Scope7.36%
    Contract Project5.46%
    HR4.24%
    Infrastructure3.87%
  3. Complete relevant contract project manager training and internships

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

    • Manage weekly CMS build outs from feature prioritization through implementation including test cases and training documentation.
    • Manage RFI's, field directives, construction changes, payments, and billing associate with project.
    • Manage the day to day duties of the turn-key/design build/plan and specification and retrofit-installation of the HVAC contracting department.
    • Manage, monitors and measures project portfolio status, recommending corrective action as necessary and communicate portfolio status to their management.
  5. Prepare your contract project manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your contract 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 contract 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 Contract Project Manager Resume templates

    Build a professional Contract 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 Contract Project Manager resume.
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
    Contract Project Manager Resume
  6. Apply for contract project manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a contract 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 Contract Project Manager Job

Zippi

Are you a Contract Project Manager?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average contract project manager salary

The average Contract Project Manager salary in the United States is $81,263 per year or $39 per hour. Contract project manager salaries range between $53,000 and $124,000 per year.

Average Contract Project Manager Salary
$81,263 Yearly
$39.07 hourly

What Am I Worth?

salary-calculator

How do contract project managers rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Contract 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 Aug 2020
Pros

not applicable because I dont work as a technical project manager

Cons

not applicable because I dont work as a technical project manager


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.


Working as a Contract Project Manager? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall Rating*
Career Growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

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.

Browse executive management jobs