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What is a contractor-senior project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.,
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a contractor-senior project manager. For example, did you know that they make an average of $41.3 an hour? That's $85,906 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 16% and produce 82,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a contractor-senior 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.
ScoreContractor-Senior Project ManagerUS Average
Salary
6.7

Avg. Salary $85,906

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.4

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.91%

Black or African American 7.56%

Hispanic or Latino 12.66%

Unknown 4.69%

White 65.52%

Gender

female 29.60%

male 70.40%

Age - 47
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 - 47
Stress level
7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.7

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Contractor-senior project manager career paths

Key steps to become a contractor-senior project manager

  1. Explore contractor-senior project manager education requirements

    Most common contractor-senior project manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    71.7 %

    Master's

    16.7 %

    Associate

    6.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific contractor-senior project manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management22.20%
    Project Scope6.64%
    Infrastructure5.44%
    Scrum5.41%
    PMO4.64%
  3. Research contractor-senior project manager duties and responsibilities

    • Define requirements, configure product, lead UAT and training.
    • Manage the RFI, submittal, change order and close-out processes.
    • Manage and plan internal and external project resources within the SDLC who share different priorities.
    • Utilize standard PMI practices tools to monitor, track, report and manage all facets of the project.
  4. Get contractor-senior project manager experience

  5. Prepare your contractor-senior project manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your contractor-senior 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 contractor-senior 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 contractor-senior project manager resume templates

    Build a professional contractor-senior 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 contractor-senior project manager resume.
    Contractor-Senior Project Manager Resume
    Contractor-Senior Project Manager Resume
    Contractor-Senior Project Manager Resume
    Contractor-Senior Project Manager Resume
    Contractor-Senior Project Manager Resume
    Contractor-Senior Project Manager Resume
    Contractor-Senior Project Manager Resume
    Contractor-Senior Project Manager Resume
    Contractor-Senior Project Manager Resume
  6. Apply for contractor-senior project manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a contractor-senior 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 contractor-senior project manager job

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Average contractor-senior project manager salary

The average contractor-senior project manager salary in the United States is $85,906 per year or $41 per hour. Contractor-senior project manager salaries range between $61,000 and $120,000 per year.

Average contractor-senior project manager salary
$85,906 Yearly
$41.30 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do contractor-senior project managers rate their job?

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Contractor-senior 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


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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.


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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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