How do I start a career in program management?

A career in program management begins with education and typically requires experience in a specific field. Program managers have responsibilities that extend beyond a single project. Candidates wishing to enter the field of program management must secure a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as business or finance. Many program managers hold master's degrees in these areas of study.

How much do program analysts make?

Program analysts make $70,000 a year, on average ($34.10 per hour). There is, however, considerable range in how much a program analyst can make - starting from as little as $50,000 to as much as $99,000 a year. Factors such as years of experience, location, and company type impact how much a program analyst can make.

What is the difference between a program analyst and a management analyst?

The difference between a program analyst and a management analyst is significant - a program analyst oversees the company's technological systems, while a management analyst is focused on the company's overall functionality and productivity.

What is a program management analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Joel Stevenson

A program management analyst oversees a company's various programs to ensure they meet established goals and objectives. They plan, execute, and monitor projects, identifying risks and opportunities for improvement. A program management analyst creates project timelines, manages budgets, and communicates with stakeholders. They also provide data analysis to identify areas of improvement and make recommendations for future projects. Overall, a program management analyst ensures a company's programs are executed smoothly and achieve their intended outcomes.

What general advice would you give to a program management analyst?

Joel Stevenson

Founding Director USC Columbia Technology Incubator, Associate Director Faber Entrepreneurship Center, Senior Lecturer Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management, University of South Carolina

I would not enter the job market at this time. I would apply to the Masters of Human Resources Program at U of SC. If I could not get into the program, I would take an HR job and apply again to the Master's Program. Reason...with a Master's in HR, the starting salary is right at $85,000 per year. Cost and amount of time it takes to get your Master's, $25,000, and 15 months.

ScoreProgram Management AnalystUS Average

Salary

6.2

Avg. Salary $79,266

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.8

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 10.34%

Black or African American 8.70%

Hispanic or Latino 9.34%

Unknown 4.55%

White 66.90%

Gender

female 58.26%

male 41.74%

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

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

What are the pros and cons of being a program management analyst?

Pros

Competitive salary and benefits
Potential for career growth and advancement
Can make a significant impact on the organization's success
Flexibility in work schedule and location
High demand for program management analysts in various industries

Cons

Limited creativity or autonomy in decision-making
Risk of burnout or job fatigue from continuous high-intensity work
Limited opportunities for specialization or niche expertise
May require extensive travel or relocation for projects
Tendency to focus on short-term goals rather than long-term strategy

Key steps to become a program management analyst

Explore program management analyst education requirements

Most common program management analyst degrees

Bachelor's

64.6 %

Master's

18.8 %

Associate

11.0 %

Start to develop specific program management analyst skills

Skills	Percentages
Program Management	10.41%
Project Management	9.70%
Program Operations	9.60%
Management Practices	8.52%
DOD	5.79%

Complete relevant program management analyst training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New program management analysts 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 management analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real program management analyst resumes.

Research program management analyst duties and responsibilities

Manage sustaining projects in Planview and manage projects to portfolio for group.
Manage all subcontractor forecasts for monthly cost accruals and reversals journal entry processing.
Investigate and manage accounting reconciliations or discrepancies, including auditing and verifying daily transactions with cash balances for correlations and accuracy.
Design, consolidate and load budget shells in Hyperion.

Prepare your program management analyst resume

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

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