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What is a program lead and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

A program lead is an individual who is in charge of a team that performs a certain purpose in an organization. Most program leads find their jobs in the technology and healthcare industries. Their role is to guide a group or team with the project's completion in mind. They help start a program and supervise it.

They oversee projects or tasks until their completion. They also help retain engagement throughout the entire process and give feedback to management. An example of a project that requires a project lead in healthcare is a drug trial focus group. They must have excellent communication skills, leadership skills, and program management skills.

According to the bureau of statistics, between 2018-2028, the job will grow by 80% producing 33,800 new jobs. The average salary is $36.1 per hour, translating to $75,081 a year. They need a bachelor's degree or a master's degree, although it is possible to become one with a high school diploma or GED with experience in the industry.

ScoreProgram LeadUS Average
Salary
7.6

Avg. Salary $100,727

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
9.1

Growth Rate 10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.74%

Asian 5.12%

Black or African American 10.01%

Hispanic or Latino 15.52%

Unknown 6.08%

White 62.52%

Gender

female 59.07%

male 40.93%

Age - 43
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 - 43
Stress Level
9.1

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.9

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
7.5

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Program Lead career paths

Key steps to become a program lead

  1. Explore program lead education requirements

    Most common program lead degrees

    Bachelor's

    63.1 %

    Associate

    13.7 %

    Master's

    11.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific program lead skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management13.40%
    HR10.74%
    Work Ethic9.51%
    CPR8.28%
    Customer Satisfaction6.69%
  3. Complete relevant program lead training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New program leads 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 program lead based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real program lead resumes.
  4. Gain additional program lead certifications

    Program lead certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific program lead certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for program leads include First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor and Project Management Professional (PMP).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research program lead duties and responsibilities

    • Assess instructor effectiveness in achieving client ISP objectives.
    • Manage security and access policies base upon operational need-to-know and DOD regulations and requirements
    • Conduct daily clinical documentation audits, manage consumer financial accounts, provide oversight and approval for all treatment and discharge planning.
    • Up to date on CPR, trauma medical aid and restraints holds.
  6. Get program lead experience

    Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a program lead. The most common roles before becoming a program lead include internship, sales associate team lead and cashier.
  7. Prepare your program lead resume

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

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Program Lead Resume templates

    Build a professional Program Lead 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 Program Lead resume.
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  8. Apply for program lead jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a program lead 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 Program Lead Job

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Average program lead salary

The average Program Lead salary in the United States is $100,727 per year or $48 per hour. Program lead salaries range between $59,000 and $171,000 per year.

Average Program Lead Salary
$100,727 Yearly
$48.43 hourly

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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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