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What is a deputy 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.

Deputy Project Managers lead their organization's team by working closely with the designated Project Manager. They coordinate with numerous people and have to keep track of many moving parts within their company. They often generate project management plans, calculate risks, and maintain production schedules.

Most employers require their Deputy Project Managers to have a college diploma. Degrees in Business, Project Management, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering are among the most sought after and the most commonly held by American Deputy Project Managers in the current workforce.

A Deputy Project Manager in the United States earns an average yearly salary of $87,000. That's more or less $42 an hour. However, top earners can bring in $133,000 on average a year in the right company. Employers such as Parsons, Fermi Research Alliance, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Kawasaki Rail Car, and Pacific Architects and Engineers offer competitive, above-average salaries of $125,000 or more to their Deputy Project Managers.

What general advice would you give to a deputy 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.
ScoreDeputy Project ManagerUS Average
Salary
6.6

Avg. Salary $84,167

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.8

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 9.04%

Black or African American 7.68%

Hispanic or Latino 12.89%

Unknown 4.70%

White 65.01%

Gender

female 27.38%

male 72.62%

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
7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
1.8

Complexity level is simple

7 - challenging

Work life balance
2.8

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Deputy project manager career paths

Key steps to become a deputy project manager

  1. Explore deputy project manager education requirements

    Most common deputy project manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.3 %

    Master's

    18.6 %

    Associate

    9.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific deputy project manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management21.81%
    PowerPoint7.00%
    Status Reports6.50%
    Logistics6.11%
    Risk Management4.47%
  3. Research deputy project manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage teams locate in India, Dublin, Tokyo and Seattle.
    • Manage, monitors and measures project portfolio status, recommending corrective action as necessary and communicate portfolio status to their management.
    • Recognize with a special service award for services to the UK business.
    • Balance contract cost, schedule, and scope to meet USAID's mission requirements.
  4. Prepare your deputy project manager resume

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

    Build a professional deputy 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 deputy project manager resume.
    Deputy Project Manager Resume
    Deputy Project Manager Resume
    Deputy Project Manager Resume
    Deputy Project Manager Resume
    Deputy Project Manager Resume
    Deputy Project Manager Resume
    Deputy Project Manager Resume
    Deputy Project Manager Resume
    Deputy Project Manager Resume
  5. Apply for deputy project manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a deputy 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 deputy project manager job

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Average deputy project manager salary

The average deputy project manager salary in the United States is $84,167 per year or $40 per hour. Deputy project manager salaries range between $56,000 and $126,000 per year.

Average deputy project manager salary
$84,167 Yearly
$40.46 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do deputy project managers rate their job?

-/5

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Deputy 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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