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Job outlook for project officers in the United States
Are project officer jobs in demand?
Project officer job and salary trends over time
Project officer jobs over time
Project officer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,074 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,815 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,977 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,928 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,792 | 0.00% |
Average project officer salary over time
Project officer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $59,291 | $28.51 | +4.2% |
| 2024 | $56,874 | $27.34 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $56,139 | $26.99 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $55,162 | $26.52 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | $54,828 | $26.36 | +0.1% |
Project officer jobs by state
Most common states for project officers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 345 | 50% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,935 | 35% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,216 | 32% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 238 | 32% |
| 5 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 522 | 30% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 186 | 30% |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 371 | 28% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,197 | 26% |
| 9 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 493 | 26% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 773 | 25% |
| 11 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,467 | 24% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,684 | 23% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 244 | 23% |
| 14 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,296 | 22% |
| 15 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 297 | 22% |
| 16 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,275 | 21% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 615 | 21% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 447 | 21% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 183 | 21% |
| 20 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,361 | 20% |
Most common cities for project officers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockville | 1 | 1% | $75,679 |
| 2 | Troy | 1 | 1% | $60,744 |
| 3 | Warren | 1 | 1% | $60,945 |
| 4 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $68,841 |
| 5 | Kansas City | 1 | 0% | $45,058 |
| 6 | New York | 1 | 0% | $68,324 |
| 7 | Urban Honolulu | 1 | 0% | $46,840 |
Project Officer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of project officer experts
Ohio State University
University of Connecticut
Northern Michigan University
California Lutheran University
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Lubbock Christian University
Gulf Coast State College
Luther College
Coastal Carolina University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of Pittsburgh
Colby College
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD
Professor of Practice: Horticulture and Crop ScienceOhio State University
Applied Horticulture And Horticultural Business Services
What will help Project Officers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD: There are more than enough positions out there to find one with a good starting salary. Apply for as many as you can.
Be willing to relocate to another city or state.
What will help Project Officers increase their earning potential?
Roger Travis: Those choosing a teaching career should consider seeking certification through a concurrent enrollment program that can get them a Masters in Education soon after graduation with the BA.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Officers?
Dr. Jim Marquardson: In the short term, the job market may be tough. Companies may be unsure about their financial situations and therefore hesitant to hire right away. But I am already seeing a lot of companies start to post more job openings. All businesses know that they need better cybersecurity solutions, and they need good people to implement those solutions, so those projects cannot be delayed until we're completely past the pandemic. Criminal activity is not slowing down just because of COVID-19. Job seekers may have to be flexible in where they move, whether they are willing to work remotely, or what kind of company they want to work for starting out in their careers. But the great thing about cybersecurity is that a degree, some certifications, and a few years of work experience make you extremely marketable. Long-term career prospects are excellent.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Project Officers?
Dr. Jim Marquardson: For cybersecurity students, the CompTIA Security+ certification is one of the most advanced certifications students can get. Many of the more advanced certifications, like the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) require years of job experience before taking the certification exam. Cyber students should plan to earn those certifications eventually to increase their career prospects and to remain up to date with the changing industry.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Project Officers?
George Owens: It is my belief that the future will belong in large part to those who can match their interests and career goals to the types of roles the market is looking for. Whether you are interested in a career in marketing, sales, finance, etc. Those men and women who can demonstrate an ability to leverage their education and interests will be sought-after. The ability to write and express one's self effectively will continue to be critical.
General business knowledge (like that found in an MBA program) may continue to have a profound effect on the opportunities one is viewed as qualified for. However, these basic skills will be seen as "table stakes" the foundational element of success. The real key will the ability to build meaningful relationships, demonstrate a willingness and desire to promote an open, diverse organization and the drive to be successful while recognizing the importance of corporate responsibility. Graduate study may be a foundation, but a desire and drive to maintain one's skills in communications, interpersonal relationships, technology, diversity and corporate ethics will be critical.
What's a good job out of college for Project Officers?
George Owens: A good job out of college is one that will provide you basic skills and practice in the real world in your areas of interest. Pick a job and an organization that matches what "you think you want to do" and ensure you will be receiving training and mentoring because you will need to understand how to put your knowledge into action. In your first job out of college be realistic about what you may be asked to do and be realistic about compensation. Money won't matter if you can't leverage your first job and learn.
Michelle Ruiz Ph.D.
Assistant professor, Healthcare administration Program DirectorSaint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Master of Healthcare Administration, Business and Leadership Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Officer job market given the pandemic?
Michelle Ruiz Ph.D.: When looking at specific fields, like healthcare, there are unusually high stressors right now that are bringing about higher than average turnover. This changes the job market for qualified candidates who are looking for work, making it easier for applicants to find a position than during previous economic downturns. Other industries will see a more permanent shift in their hiring, people who were employed in entertainment, travel, and dining for example are seeing a shrinking job market. Employees from those areas are pivoting to more stable industries to find work again, through entry level positions or going back to school for a new bachelors or master's degree.
What technical skills for a Project Officer stand out to employers?
Michelle Ruiz Ph.D.: Technical skills have never before been so in-demand as they are now. With many companies still working fully remote and other companies still handling large parts of their networking remotely, skills on how to navigate cloud computing competently have never been more important. Complementing that skill set, employees who have the ability to run data analysis and act as a project manager will be able to set themselves ahead of other applicants. Graduate school can be a great place to fine tune career goals and build the skill sets necessary for meeting them.
What's a good job out of college for Project Officers?
Michelle Ruiz Ph.D.: I often advise students to think about what they want from a job and what they want from their next job. You want whatever you're doing right now to be an asset in getting you that next position. A career path does not need to be a clear and simple road, it can have twists and turns that lead you in directions you had not expected. What someone should be able to do is find something from each position that they did well and helped to contribute to their larger skill set. This is what other employers will want to see.
Brian Starr Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of EconomicsLubbock Christian University
School of Business
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Officers?
Brian Starr Ph.D.: I suspect so. As a child growing up in the 1970's, I was always confused by the wariness of people, like my grandparents, towards the flu, an affliction I deemed uncomfortable but largely innocuous. I learned later that their generation had been profoundly impacted by the 1918 pandemic commonly called the Spanish flu. So 50 years from now, I would expect young people to be hearing stories from their elders about being locked up in quarantine, switching to online learning modalities, losing a beloved older member of the family, and waiting for a vaccine.
What's a day at work look like for a Project Officer?
Brian Starr Ph.D.: In some ways, it will look like a typical workday before the pandemic began. Practices refined and inculcated in the workplace over the past few decades will not all go by the wayside. But I suspect some things in the post-pandemic world will look significantly different. More people will work from home, as employees substitute a bit more work or leisure time for the commute and as employers look to reduce rent payments on office space. More meetings will be held online, particularly those which would be logistically challenging or financially costly to host in person. This will bring the benefit of flexibility to a new generation of workers, but it will also challenge them in new ways to find an appropriate balance between work and leisure. Those distinctions can blur when your home is also your office.
What technical skills for a Project Officer stand out to employers?
Brian Starr Ph.D.: Employers will continue to seek out sharp, hard-working employees who possess strong skills well-suited for the job at hand. A good mind and a good work ethic never go out of style. But as work shifts away from an office-centric base, employers will benefit greatly from those employees who embrace connecting technologies and have the focused discipline to get jobs done without being micromanaged. The former trait can be a competitive advantage for our emerging graduates. They are digital natives and many of them connect through technological platforms as naturally as they breathe. The challenge for them will not generally be the use of technology. They challenge will be developing the emotional intelligence to know which modality to use in each circumstance. A text, an e-mail, a phone call, a virtual meeting with the webcam off, a virtual meeting with the webcam on, and a trip across town to meet for lunch each have their place, and it takes wisdom to know which is best in each instant case. This will take some time and experience to master, but I suspect the emerging generation of graduates will soon discover fruitful paths. And those who mature quickly into the kinds of workers who can be trusted to get a job done timely and properly will find themselves advancing quickly through the ranks.
Emmanuel Hernandez Agosto
Associate Professor/ Entrepreneurship Program ManagerGulf Coast State College
Business & Technology Department
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Project Officers?
Emmanuel Hernandez Agosto: Our recent experience has shown that doing internships, shadowing programs, and even COOP education courses can increase exposure to real-life situations and how to handle them. Healthcare administrator licenses and other management or quality management credentials are a plus to any manager. Still, a recent trend has been seen in preparing managers with project management and even agile development to create in-house tools (mostly software) that could help create efficiencies in the current systems used by the employers.
What general advice would you give to a Project Officer?
Dr. Thomas Johnson: Two trains of thought. If you want to live in a particular location, prioritize that by moving there and shaping your career around that place. If you want to have a particular career, put it first by seeking it out and being flexible in where it might take you in terms of location.
What general advice would you give to a Project Officer?
Matthew Gilbert: The unique circumstances caused by COVID-19 have impacted every area of our lives. New graduates will likely find themselves in a more challenging situation than was the case previously. Given this, I encourage graduates who are just beginning their careers to be ACES: adaptive, communicative, effective, and supportive. ACES is a slang term meaning being highly regarded; in the context of the suggested acronym, consider the following explanation.
Adaptive: Remain open to top unexpected opportunities. Venturing into a new normal requires flexibility and openness; this could mean taking a job that wasn't considered, but recognizing it could yield skills, connections, and experience that could be useful in future endeavors.
Communicative: Leverage LinkedIn to network professionally and politely for opportunities, but don't connect with someone and immediately ask for a job. Call your contacts and catch up without a specific agenda; you never know what ideas might emerge. Email individuals, you respect for insights and advice.
Effective: Make use of your time to learn new skills or acquire certifications that demonstrate the value you can add to an organization. Consider volunteering for a cause close to your heart; it makes you feel better, but you could connect personally and/or professionally with new people.
Supportive: Finding a job in a normal year is challenging enough, but in a pandemic, it's an entirely different experience. Keep in contact with your friends and fellow graduates; even a short message asking how they're doing or inviting them to a social distance coffee together could brighten a day you didn't know was dark for someone else.
Lynn Hoffman
Professor of Management and EntrepreneurshipMetropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Management
How do you envision technology impacting Project Officers in the next 5 years?
Lynn Hoffman: 1. The pandemic and technology have accelerated the move to remote work, less commuting time, supervising remotely, and developing relationships remotely.
2. Technology will continue to disrupt some industries and enhance others.
3. Successful businesses will need to be able to pivot, be flexible, and change what they are offering.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Officers?
Lynn Hoffman: 1. They need to look ahead and determine which industries will survive in the new normal, whatever that is, and the new technology, and hopefully start careers in those industries that will survive.
2. They will have to become proficient in remote job searching and interviewing remotely.
3. They need to continually learn and be "technologically agile," or their skills will become obsolete much quicker than past generations.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Project Officers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Jeanette Lehn: Staying in dialogue with collaborators is the first thing that comes to mind. We have to work together in today's economy, and staying connected allows graduates to find ways to get folded into larger opportunities. I also think that critical thinking and critical theory transfer to almost any context. I encourage students to think in terms of "skills stories," to demonstrate to others what they are capable of, in a variety of contexts, through the power of their personal experiences and narratives. The skills learned while gaining a degree, such as the ability to get specific, speaking through example, and considering larger contexts, are needed everywhere, so graduates shouldn't limit their searches to only one circle or area of work. The traditional places to find jobs can't be excluded, like search engines, but I think if you are good at considering what an audience wants, needs, thinks about and is influenced by, you can apply anywhere.
How do you envision technology impacting Project Officers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Jeanette Lehn: Tools shape what is possible in composing and writing, but we shape the tools! It will be fascinating to see what's possible, even in just five years. We've learned the power of staying connected in the last year, and I see tools that link us and help us to collaborate, continuing to stay important and only getting more refined.
The exciting thing about technology today is that a wealth of information exists to make learning new tools faster and more intuitive. We are less limited in terms of the time it takes to pick up new tools, and that's where our critical awareness to understand what tools do and how they impact ourselves and others become the distinguishing factor that we, as creators, bring to the table. The good judgment and intuition of a composer or writer are always going to be a valuable asset.
Lisa Noble
Director of Employer Engagement and Entrepreneurship and DavisConnects Advisor for ConsultingColby College
DavisConnects
What type of skills will young Project Officers need?
Lisa Noble: To be immediately valuable to employers, new graduates need to write well, think critically, draw reasonable conclusions from data and learn new things quickly -- this has always been true; if they can present well, so much the better! Happily, liberal arts students of all majors have these skills in abundance. That said, humanities majors have a decided advantage when it comes to written expression because they read and write so much as part of their course of study. English majors hone their craft as writers with focused guidance from their professors.
That said, with the digital transformation of virtually every industry, graduates who majored in the humanities will need to learn to use tools to create compelling digital content (Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, HTML, Canva) and to measure and analyze its impact, whether it's an email or social media campaign, ads, websites, landing pages, or webinars (SEO, HubSpot or Pardot, Google Analytics, and more).
Regardless of what they pursue after they graduate, they will need, at a minimum, to be facile with Excel, PowerPoint (the language of business), collaboration tools like Monday.com, Asana, and SmartSheet and communication tools that facilitate remote work like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack.