Can anyone become a project manager?

Yes, anyone can become a project manager. Many project managers are team members that have been promoted into the position based on the project's subject matter. A project manager should be very organized, a good leader, and has great attention to detail. These skills are important at this position and require knowledge of all aspects of a given project.

Can you become a project manager without a degree?

Yes, you can become a project manager without a degree. However, it's not as simple as earning an online project manager certification. To become a project manager is all about experience.

How long does it take to become project manager?

It takes six to eight years to become a project manager, on average. This includes the time that it takes to earn a bachelor's degree and the time needed to gain project management experience. That's not to say that a bachelor's degree is a requirement. A candidate without one may take seven to ten years to reach the project manager position.

What qualifications do you need to be a project manager?

The qualifications required to become a project manager depend on the industry you're working in. Because of the large scope of responsibilities, the project manager needs to have had a relevant education. Typically candidates have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in computer science or business.

What is a manager, project management and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.,

Dr. Daryl Green

A manager working in project management leads a team to complete a project within a set timeframe and budget. They create project plans, assign tasks, and monitor progress while ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and satisfied with the outcome. These managers may oversee multiple projects simultaneously and work closely with team members, clients, and vendors to ensure goals are met on time and within budget.

What general advice would you give to a manager, project management?

Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.

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.

ScoreManager, Project ManagementUS Average

Salary

7.7

Avg. Salary $102,925

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.96%

Black or African American 7.61%

Hispanic or Latino 12.75%

Unknown 4.70%

White 65.32%

Gender

female 38.11%

male 61.89%

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

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a manager, project management?

Pros

Opportunity to lead and manage a team
High earning potential
Ability to see a project from start to finish
Exposure to different industries and projects
Opportunities for advancement within the company

Cons

Pressure to meet deadlines and deliver results
Risk of burnout due to high workload and responsibilities
Responsibility for the success or failure of a project
Difficulty maintaining work-life balance
Potential for conflict between team members or with other departments.

Key steps to become a manager, project management

Explore manager, project management education requirements

Most common manager, project management degrees

Bachelor's

69.1 %

Master's

18.0 %

Associate

9.5 %

Start to develop specific manager, project management skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	20.22%
Risk Management	6.72%
Portfolio	4.72%
Customer Service	3.48%
Process Improvement	3.25%

Research manager, project management duties and responsibilities

Manage budgets and resources of various project groups to successfully implement ERP & CRM application.
Counsele application team leads in maximizing available migration windows for defect resolution.
Facilitate efforts on prioritizing bugs find during QA testing and manage remediation efforts.
Manage and monitor compliance with FDA validate system requirements, documentation creation and SDLC methodologies.

Prepare your manager, project management resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your manager, project management 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 manager, project management resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable manager, project management resume templates

Build a professional manager, project management 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 manager, project management resume.

Apply for manager, project management jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a manager, project management 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

Average manager, project management salary

The average manager, project management salary in the United States is $102,925 per year or $49 per hour. Manager, project management salaries range between $73,000 and $144,000 per year.

Average manager, project management salary

$102,925 Yearly

$49.48 hourly

How do managers, project management rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Manager, project management reviews

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.

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020

Pros

keeping the company vibrant in the marketplace and returning maximum shareholder value

Cons

have to change my mindset

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.

What is a manager, project management and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a manager, project management?

What are the pros and cons of being a manager, project management?

Manager, project management career paths

Key steps to become a manager, project management

Explore manager, project management education requirements

Most common manager, project management degrees

Start to develop specific manager, project management skills

Research manager, project management duties and responsibilities

Prepare your manager, project management resume

Choose from 10+ customizable manager, project management resume templates

Apply for manager, project management jobs

How did you land your first manager, project management job

Average manager, project management salary

How do managers, project management rate their job?

Manager, project management reviews

Manager, project management FAQs

Can anyone become a project manager?

Can you become a project manager without a degree?

How long does it take to become project manager?

What qualifications do you need to be a project manager?

Search for manager, project management jobs