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Job outlook for program managers-acquisitions in the United States
Are program manager-acquisitions jobs in demand?
Program manager-acquisitions job and salary trends over time
Program manager-acquisitions jobs over time
Program manager-acquisitions job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 202 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 532 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 317 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 188 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 175 | 0.00% |
Average program manager-acquisitions salary over time
Program manager-acquisitions salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $99,378 | $47.78 | +4.2% |
| 2025 | $95,327 | $45.83 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $94,095 | $45.24 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $92,458 | $44.45 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | $91,898 | $44.18 | +0.1% |
Program manager-acquisitions jobs by state
Most common states for program managers-acquisitions
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 638 | 92% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 2,762 | 37% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,044 | 24% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 235 | 24% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,536 | 22% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 292 | 22% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 233 | 22% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 126 | 22% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,224 | 20% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 830 | 20% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,061 | 19% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,059 | 19% |
| 13 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 676 | 19% |
| 14 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 599 | 19% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 325 | 17% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 131 | 17% |
| 17 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 281 | 16% |
| 18 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 135 | 16% |
| 19 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,328 | 15% |
| 20 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,054 | 15% |
Most common cities for program managers-acquisitions
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | 4 | 13% | $102,910 |
| 2 | Bethesda | 2 | 3% | $94,909 |
| 3 | Dayton | 3 | 2% | $112,205 |
| 4 | San Jose | 1 | 0% | $105,192 |
Program Manager-Acquisitions job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of program manager-acquisitions experts
University of La Verne
University of New Mexico (UNM)
The Touro College
Western Carolina University
Auburn University at Montgomery
Maryville University
Davenport University
Azusa Pacific University
Marcia Godwin Ph.D.
Professor of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration (MPA) DirectorUniversity of La Verne
College of Business and Public Management
What skills stand out on Program Manager-Acquisitions resumes?
Marcia Godwin Ph.D.: A strong commitment to public service is key. Public service motivation may seem like something that all applicants have in common, but resumes often list only work experience. Resumes should highlight passion and a record of helping others. Volunteer experience should be listed that for those entering public service or transitioning from other careers. I often mentor others to be aware of your "super powers," your go-to qualities that are distinctive. Successful managers are also those who have engaged in leadership in every position and support the development of their staff at every level of organizations.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Program Managers-Acquisitions?
Marcia Godwin Ph.D.: There is no replacement for being able to write at a professional level, which we often don't recognize as a hard skill. Being able to read financial statements and work with spreadsheets are other critical skills. Being comfortable with technology and managing technical projects is as important as knowing particular software. It was hard to imagine a few decades ago how geographical informational systems, apps, and social media would become central to public service. Managers need to be constantly looking to the future and staying current with their professional development to stay on top of technological and social changes.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Program Managers-Acquisitions?
Elsa Maria Castillo: In addition to the standard engineering coursework, it is important that students invest some time in the development of tech skills and digital skills that go beyond coursework such as conducting undergraduate research and receiving training in project management, additional programming languages, internet of things, machine learning, finite element analysis as well as the development of soft skills that could make a bigger impact on the job prospects. This is why at UNM Engineering we have partnered with alumni from various industries to offer some additional engineering skills workshops to help enhance our students learning experience and better prepare them to enter the workforce. Students should also aim to participate in internship opportunities or seek out and connect with professional mentors who could give students an insight into career opportunities and take advantage of networking opportunities offered through their school. We also recommend our students to create professional online profiles in apps such as LinkedIn and the schools' Office of Career Services digital platforms.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Program Managers-Acquisitions?
Jodi Smolen: I think this depends on the industry. Finance students give themselves an advantage by taking the Securities Industry Essential (SIE) exam during college. The exam does not require employer sponsorship and it is good for 4 years. If students want to become a securities trader, investment banker, or financial advisor, the SIE exam is a necessary step before they take the Series 6 and 7 exams after graduation. It shows a prospective employer that the student is serious about a career in the financial services industry.
In addition, finance students should hone their advanced Excel skills. Whether they do this in college, or on their own time, knowing Pivot Tables and VLOOKUP will set them apart from other candidates.
Computer science students should know that Python is in strong demand. If they know the basics of this language, they will have more job opportunities in different industries. Similarly, many data science jobs require Python, SQL or R programming languages. Candidates who pick up programming languages easily can learn on the job, but it is always more desirable to walk into the job knowing the language they want to use.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Program Managers-Acquisitions?
Angela Sebby Ph.D.: While jobs may be slower to return to the capacity pre-Covid, the industry and tourism employment will rebound as people still want to travel and explore diverse foods, cultures, and experiences. However, the enduring impact will be the rapid onset of technology that allowed for limited contact with employees and others has become the new norm. Although human interaction is an important aspect of service in the tourism industry, employers have found that they can reduce the number of personal interactions but still deliver an acceptable level of quality service. What would have taken years to adopt, COVID created an amplified adoption.
What technical skills for a Program Manager-Acquisitions stand out to employers?
Angela Sebby Ph.D.: Business, creative, and organizational skills - I would recommend that upcoming graduates are proficient in Word, Excel (highly used), Powerpoint, Outlook (especially how to send meeting requests and calendar organization), TEAMS, Gantt charts for team management, Mindmapping for creativity, and design software. Additionally, I would recommend that they learn how to properly utilize social media for marketing and PR, not just personal posting. Finally, email etiquette would be essential.
What soft skills should all Program Managers-Acquisitions possess?
TeWhan Hahn Ph.D.: Writing skills including email writing, being able to work in teams, and knowing the workplace etiquettes.
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.
Program Director & Assistant ProfessorMaryville University
Speech-Language Pathology
What's a day at work look like for a Program Manager-Acquisitions?
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.: A bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders can prepare you for three different tracks. First, it can prepare you to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). This is someone who works under a fully credential speech-language pathologist. Often times, they carryout intervention plans developed by a fully credentialed speech-language pathologist. If graduate school is on your horizon, a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders will prepare you for acceptance into a Speech-Language Pathology program, or an Audiology program. If you are not accepted into a graduate program right away, working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a great way to get experience in the field!
What soft skills should all Program Managers-Acquisitions possess?
Todd Terry: Graduates as they prepare to enter the workforce should pay particular attention to their ability to communicate with coworkers. This communication could happen through face-to-face interactions, remote meetings with the aid of technology for example, meeting by computer software, written communication through instant messaging, or emails. Also, part of communicating is being a good listener.
Graduates should have good critical thinking skills. They will need to be adaptive and able to analyze data to make good informed decisions.
In today's work environment, working on teams is a regular function. Therefore, employers are looking for the candidate who can professionally interact with other team members, have a positive attitude and a good work ethic.
What's a day at work look like for a Program Manager-Acquisitions?
Todd Terry: What once was well defined with working hours, an office space, coworkers being close by to develop relationships with seems to be misplaced during the current working environment. In the working situation we are in today, graduates will need to be flexible with working hours as work hours may not be defined and could change by day. Office space may mean that one is working remotely from home. Building of relationships with coworkers will be done using technology as coworkers may be located in many different areas or time zones.
In general business will continue to function remotely. The pandemic has created a sense of creativity in how business is done. The one major component the pandemic has created is where large and small businesses are conducting daily business functions from remote locations. This practice has proven that business can be effectively done without having to travel to distant locations. Consequently, business travel will be continue to be slow.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Program Managers-Acquisitions?
Bala Musa Ph.D.: Digital literacy, cultural literacy, information technology, data management and human communication skills courses and certifications will continue to be relevant in the workplace.