How To Become A Program Control Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a program control manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Daryl Green

A program control manager works primarily in the construction industry and is responsible for designing, implementing, and ensuring the quality of project-wide control procedures. They will have a supervisory role that directs the team in making sure that the project is adhering to the timeline and budget set by the company.

Handling a leading role in construction projects, a program control manager must be adept at problem solving, identifying bottlenecks of construction, anticipating delays in schedule, and monitoring daily progress. They also have to be detail-oriented in making reports and performance analysis on a daily basis.

A program control manager may work in various construction industries such as residential, commercial, and industrial. They may also be assigned to work on multiple projects at a time.

To be qualified for the job, a program control manager needs a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field and at least ten years of field experience with program controls, preferably in a supervisory role. They are also required to have great communication skills, knowledge of project management software, and leadership skills.

What's a day at work look like for a program control manager?

Dr. Daryl Green

Associate Professor of Business, Oklahoma Baptist University

Given the on-going threats of Covid-19, recent graduates can expect varying work days. Some students are working remotely (instead of an office space). Therefore, some recent graduates may still be living with their parents. We are still adjusting to 'The New Normal.' Given this reality, students need to be flexible and adaptable to their employment situation.

ScoreProgram Control ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.8

Avg. Salary $107,944

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.8

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 9.02%

Black or African American 7.66%

Hispanic or Latino 12.85%

Unknown 4.70%

White 65.10%

Gender

female 32.31%

male 67.69%

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

6.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

2.2

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a program control manager

Explore program control manager education requirements

Most common program control manager degrees

Bachelor's

69.7 %

Master's

19.5 %

Associate

8.1 %

Start to develop specific program control manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	7.74%
Oversight	5.68%
Earned Value Management	5.18%
Program Control	5.15%
Management System	4.30%

Research program control manager duties and responsibilities

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