How To Become A Controls Project Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a controls project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A controls project manager manages construction and engineering project resources to ensure the objectives of the project are achieved efficiently. They perform schedule updates, cost estimates, project quality reviews, consultation, and risk management. They are also responsible for the supervision of project controls personnel to ensure that the team meets its goals.

A controls project manager typically reports to the principal project manager. They also work closely with quantity surveyors, project engineers, planners and architects. In order to be successful in their role, controls project managers should have project management skills, problem-solving skills, risk management skills, leadership skills, communication skills and attention to detail.

Controls project managers work 40 hours a week. The job involves a bit of traveling to project sites and to hold meetings with clients, and so controls project managers may work extra hours from time to time.

ScoreControls Project ManagerUS Average

Salary

8.0

Avg. Salary $114,682

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 2.82%

Black or African American 3.68%

Hispanic or Latino 17.28%

Unknown 4.44%

White 71.23%

Gender

female 23.27%

male 76.73%

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

Key steps to become a controls project manager

Explore controls project manager education requirements

Most common controls project manager degrees

Bachelor's

68.8 %

Master's

17.4 %

Associate

9.9 %

Start to develop specific controls project manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	10.77%
Project Controls	10.54%
Construction Management	5.65%
Risk Management	3.73%
Cost Control	3.72%

Complete relevant controls project manager training and internships

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

Research controls project manager duties and responsibilities

Develop and manage EVMS to assess project status & monitor schedule and costs.
Manage integrated product team (IPT) coordinating mechanical, electrical, and software development.
Perform EVM, update percent complete, managing invoices, prepare end of month reports, and perform change management procedures.
Design and manage creation of facility electrical systems including PLC controls.

Prepare your controls project manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your controls 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 controls 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 controls project manager resume templates

Build a professional controls 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 controls project manager resume.

Apply for controls project manager jobs

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

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

How do controls project managers rate their job?

-/5

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Controls project manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019

Pros

Freedom, problem solving, finding solutions. As a project controls specialist, I don't have many people to answer too and several that look to me for answers. I provide the means and the materials for the projects to get done efficiently and under budget.

Cons

A small mistake or over site can be very costly in time and money. Any and all problems are life lessons to take to the next project.