Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for proposal specialists in the United States
Proposal specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected proposal specialist job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 3,100 new jobs for proposal specialists are projected over the next decade.
Proposal specialist salaries have increased 9% for proposal specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 7,810 proposal specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 25,141 active proposal specialist job openings in the US.
The average proposal specialist salary is $66,454.
Are proposal specialist jobs in demand?
Proposal specialist job and salary trends over time
Proposal specialist jobs over time
Proposal specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,810 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,033 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,111 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 8,064 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 7,660 | 0.00% |
Average proposal specialist salary over time
Proposal specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $66,454 | $31.95 | +4.0% |
| 2025 | $63,924 | $30.73 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $62,427 | $30.01 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | $61,967 | $29.79 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $61,108 | $29.38 | +1.3% |
Proposal specialist jobs by state
Most common states for proposal specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 315 | 45% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 127 | 17% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 96 | 13% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 78 | 13% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,052 | 12% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 118 | 12% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 70 | 12% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 727 | 11% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 666 | 11% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 211 | 11% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 146 | 11% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 113 | 11% |
| 13 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 93 | 11% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 317 | 10% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 502 | 9% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 282 | 9% |
| 17 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 128 | 9% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 99 | 9% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 838 | 8% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 106 | 8% |
Most common cities for proposal specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland | 2 | 3% | $73,391 |
| 2 | Waltham | 2 | 3% | $82,135 |
| 3 | Trenton | 2 | 2% | $75,720 |
| 4 | Denver | 5 | 1% | $57,913 |
| 5 | Sacramento | 4 | 1% | $75,724 |
| 6 | Colorado Springs | 3 | 1% | $58,418 |
| 7 | Irvine | 3 | 1% | $72,132 |
| 8 | Naperville | 2 | 1% | $74,487 |
| 9 | Orange | 2 | 1% | $72,298 |
| 10 | Overland Park | 2 | 1% | $62,141 |
| 11 | Phoenix | 5 | 0% | $68,488 |
| 12 | Los Angeles | 4 | 0% | $72,797 |
| 13 | San Diego | 4 | 0% | $71,366 |
| 14 | San Francisco | 3 | 0% | $76,479 |
| 15 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $75,166 |
| 16 | Milwaukee | 2 | 0% | $58,529 |
| 17 | Oakland | 2 | 0% | $76,343 |
| 18 | Raleigh | 2 | 0% | $79,664 |
| 19 | Tucson | 2 | 0% | $68,530 |
Proposal Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of proposal specialist experts
University of Nevada, Reno
University of Central Arkansas
Alverno College
Duquesne University
New Mexico State University
Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University Irvine
Whatcom Community College
Jim McClenahan
Director of Career and Corporate OutreachUniversity of Nevada, Reno
College of Business
What soft skills should all Proposal Specialists possess?
Jim McClenahan: As I said, soft skills are desired more than ever. Angela Duckworth describes Grit as "Perseverance, effort, and skill." We can teach the skill; the other two have to come with the new hire. Empathy is important as someone grows in their career-you can't be an effective leader and not have empathy in your skillset.
Anthony McMullen
Associate Professor of Business Law and Director of Forensics, vUniversity of Central Arkansas
Accounting Department
What soft skills should all Proposal Specialists possess?
Anthony McMullen: Admittedly, I'm not a fan of the phrase "soft skills" v. "hard skills," as some might take such phrases to imply that soft skills are not as important or are easier to obtain. That being said, to answer the question, communication and critical-thinking skills are essential to a successful career. Communication skills (both oral and written) are necessary to convey messages. It does not matter how much technical expertise someone has if that person is unable to convey that expertise to others. Critical-thinking skills are important because skilled workers need to know how to think through problems. The answer will not always be readily apparent. And even when it is, workers need to ensure that they can analyze it to ensure that it is trustworthy. Maybe the information found is outdated, doesn't apply to the situation, or is just flat out wrong, and a skilled worker needs to be able to make that determination.
If the pandemic has taught us anything, adaptability is also necessary to be successful. So many jobs have changed (and will continue to change). Many people left their respective industries during the pandemic because they couldn't (or did not want to) adapt to change. Those who can, or at least try, will find more opportunities in the workplace.
What skills will help Proposal Specialists earn the most?
Anthony McMullen: Acquiring a specialty is great, but specialization should not come at the expense of a broad and diverse knowledge base. Within specialized fields, many people will have the training/education to do the job, but what makes a particular person special? What will give that person the chance to branch out or to think about other avenues to accomplish the task? That will help workers maximize opportunities.
What skills stand out on Proposal Specialist resumes?
Anthony McMullen: This will depend on the specific field. Business is an incredibly broad area. Anyone with a business type of degree will at least obtain basic knowledge in accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing. These skills should be highlighted. But when thinking about a resume, workers should think about (and participate in) experiences that allow them to use these skills. And once they have these experiences, they should be able to articulate how they used these skills on a resume. Don't just say, "I did ______." Say, "I used _________ in order to accomplish __________."
Stephani Richards-Wilson Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Business and Management, MBA Faculty Director, Associate - School Sisters of St. FrancisAlverno College
Business and Management Department
What skills will help Proposal Specialists earn the most?
Stephani Richards-Wilson Ph.D.: My experience has been that it depends on the position, organization, and industry, among other variables. Digital and information literacy are key to researching, analyzing, and evaluating credible information, in this case, skills that are in demand and could lead to well-paying jobs. I would emphasize, however, that there are intrinsic benefits that sometimes eclipse salary as the primary consideration. It depends on the individual and how they want to improve their quality of life, earn incentives, or be compensated. For many, contributing to an organization that promotes humane and positive interactions, allows for flexible work arrangements, and aligns with one's personal values is paramount. I encourage business specialists to stay vigilant and knowledgeable about developing industry or marketplace trends. Embrace continuous learning, upskilling, and workplace training to remain relevant in the post-pandemic world.
How do you envision technology impacting Proposal Specialists in the next 5 years?
Richard Longo: Artificial Intelligence (AI) will, by far, have the most significant impact. As this grows and develops, businesses will need to have the requisite skills and mindset to pivot away from traditional working ways. Skills will be needed to train and educate the work to be better equipped to move from human-focused work culture to a more robotic one.
Argie Hernandez
Division AdvisorNew Mexico State University
Business & Public Services
What type of skills will young Proposal Specialists need?
Argie Hernandez: -Problem Solving
-Computer skills
-Writing and Communication
-Critical Thinking
-Team Player (very important)
How do you envision technology impacting Proposal Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Drew Wolf: The impact of technology is one of the reasons leadership is significant to a resume. As more business is conducted away from the office and via virtual meetings, companies look for candidates independent of constant supervision; an applicant who shows initiative and the ability to prioritize and get things done is a valuable employee in today's technology-fueled business world.
Kim Chatani
Assistant ProfessorConcordia University Irvine
School of Business & Economics
How would you rate the starting salaries for Proposal Specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Kim Chatani: Starting salaries will continue to increase but will be more dictated by supply and demand for the skill sets that graduates will provide. The current COVID 19 pandemic has put traditional thinking on its head. Employers will be evaluating employee skills in a multi-dimensional plane, competency, mobility, and transferability.
What type of skills will young Proposal Specialists need?
Jim Drinkwine: Employers consistently say they want graduates with strong people skills. While technical skills are good, being able to work effectively in group settings is more important. I hear from students all the time about how much they dislike group projects for several reasons. However, the topic of the group project isn't as crucial as the teamwork skills you develop as a part of this type of learning. Take every opportunity you can to develop strong skills in interpersonal communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.