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What is a junior project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Matthew Gilbert,
Brian Starr Ph.D.
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A Junior Project Manager is often the key to a project going well. They file and report on data related to the projects, act as an intermediary between their team and the client, maintain communication with everybody involved, can plan to a certain degree, craft plans which provide a clear path to the achievement of their employer's goals and understand the basics of various planning and communication software and potentially some coding.

The jump from a Junior to a medium or a Senior Project Management often takes years of learning and working, coding, programs, creating strategies, risk assessment and management, and so much more.

Generally speaking, a Bachelor's degree and some experience is preferred but not always necessary.

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

Matthew Gilbert

Lecturer of Marketing, Coastal Carolina University

The unique circumstances caused by COVID-19 have impacted every area of our lives. New graduates will likely find themselves in a more challenging situation than was the case previously. Given this, I encourage graduates who are just beginning their careers to be ACES: adaptive, communicative, effective, and supportive. ACES is a slang term meaning being highly regarded; in the context of the suggested acronym, consider the following explanation.

Adaptive: Remain open to top unexpected opportunities. Venturing into a new normal requires flexibility and openness; this could mean taking a job that wasn't considered, but recognizing it could yield skills, connections, and experience that could be useful in future endeavors.

Communicative: Leverage LinkedIn to network professionally and politely for opportunities, but don't connect with someone and immediately ask for a job. Call your contacts and catch up without a specific agenda; you never know what ideas might emerge. Email individuals, you respect for insights and advice.

Effective: Make use of your time to learn new skills or acquire certifications that demonstrate the value you can add to an organization. Consider volunteering for a cause close to your heart; it makes you feel better, but you could connect personally and/or professionally with new people.

Supportive: Finding a job in a normal year is challenging enough, but in a pandemic, it's an entirely different experience. Keep in contact with your friends and fellow graduates; even a short message asking how they're doing or inviting them to a social distance coffee together could brighten a day you didn't know was dark for someone else.
ScoreJunior Project ManagerUS Average
Salary
4.7

Avg. Salary $60,672

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.0

Growth rate -8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.91%

Black or African American 7.55%

Hispanic or Latino 12.65%

Unknown 4.69%

White 65.54%

Gender

female 47.69%

male 52.31%

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
6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
1.8

Complexity level is simple

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Junior project manager career paths

Key steps to become a junior project manager

  1. Explore junior project manager education requirements

    Most common junior project manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.9 %

    Master's

    14.1 %

    Associate

    10.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific junior project manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management26.65%
    SharePoint5.85%
    Project Scope4.69%
    Project Documentation3.72%
    Microsoft Project3.24%
  3. Research junior project manager duties and responsibilities

    • Lead the RFP process; successfully acquiring key service providers for each program site
    • Develop and manage key partnerships to promote public health messages of multiple campaigns for CDC and NIH.
    • Plan and manage a series of short films about international students and their experiences in the UK.
    • Have got appreciations from clients and onsite leads constantly for the deadlines meet, and work done in general.
  4. Prepare your junior project manager resume

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

    Build a professional junior 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 junior project manager resume.
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    Junior Project Manager Resume
    Junior Project Manager Resume
    Junior Project Manager Resume
    Junior Project Manager Resume
    Junior Project Manager Resume
    Junior Project Manager Resume
    Junior Project Manager Resume
    Junior Project Manager Resume
  5. Apply for junior project manager jobs

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

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Average junior project manager salary

The average junior project manager salary in the United States is $60,672 per year or $29 per hour. Junior project manager salaries range between $36,000 and $100,000 per year.

Average junior project manager salary
$60,672 Yearly
$29.17 hourly

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How do junior project managers rate their job?

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Junior project manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I believe being genuine and true to yourself, is an essential combination for people in my field. Skills such as Leadership, Critical thinking, problem solving, communication and presentation skills, managing time and people at the same time, networking, planning and many more, are developed as we attain experience in this field. The usage of clear and concise communication to interact professionally with co-workers, supervisors and to the managers. Working in a team with people from diverse backgrounds with a deep understanding and awareness of differences in both individuals and organizations. I am focused and attentive to details when addressing high-volume tasks to meet the deadlines. I am inspired by making a positive impact to whatever task is assigned. These qualities and skills will help to support your company’s mission and I could become a great asset to your company, while reflecting positively on the professionalism in its employees.

Cons

So, basically I do not if my work is organized or systematic. I would redo my work in that case. I always like it in a systematic way. I also do not like if someone is planning according to the schedule. I always have my work schedule and work according to that.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Cons

Above 50% Travel can be distracting and I’ll prefer to travel less


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Pros

Managing projects & expanding my computer & soft skills.

Cons

The people I work with.


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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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