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What is a resource project manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.

As a resource project manager, your purpose will be allocating and gathering the necessary resources that a particular project might need for it to be successful. Typically, their duty is spread amongst many individuals. However, if there is a dedicated position for this role, then they will see through the project to its completion. Some of the duties and responsibilities that you will be performing in this capacity include resource allocation, such as estimating a budget for the particular project, the amount of personnel needed for that particular project, the raw materials and equipment needed, among others.

Moreover, you will also evaluate allocated resources to ensure they are being used as efficiently and profitably as possible. Furthermore, you will also oversee any future contingencies regarding resources and prepare accordingly. Essential skills required for this role are communication, attention to detail, organization, leadership, and interpersonal skills. To qualify for this role, you will need a bachelor's degree in an industry-related field, along with proven work experience of two or more years. It is also noteworthy; master's degree holders might be given preference. The average hourly pay for this position is $38.30, which amounts to $79,654 annually.

What general advice would you give to a resource project manager?

Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.Nicole Jones Young Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior, Franklin and Marshall College

Be flexible. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a lot of uncertainty, but has created new opportunities in others. Staying flexible allows individuals to shift focus away from industries or occupations that may be in decline, and re-focus on employment opportunities that may be more aligned with our current moment.
ScoreResource Project ManagerUS Average
Salary
5.5

Avg. Salary $70,148

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
4.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 45.41%

male 54.59%

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
7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.7

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Resource project manager career paths

Key steps to become a resource project manager

  1. Explore resource project manager education requirements

    Most common resource project manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    75.4 %

    Master's

    13.5 %

    Associate

    8.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific resource project manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management20.60%
    Business Development13.13%
    Resource Management12.52%
    Resource Planning8.57%
    QA8.15%
  3. Complete relevant resource project manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New resource project managers 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 resource project manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real resource project manager resumes.
  4. Research resource project manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage, monitors and measures project portfolio status, recommending corrective action as necessary and communicate portfolio status to their management.
    • Host presentations on features of SharePoint to the business and assist setting the sites up.
    • Create a browser wrapper on windows and linux (essentially a custom kiosk software).
    • Schedule developers and QA engineers for project work and update schedules to meet changing client deadlines.
  5. Apply for resource project manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a resource project manager 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 resource project manager job

Zippi

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Average resource project manager salary

The average resource project manager salary in the United States is $70,148 per year or $34 per hour. Resource project manager salaries range between $51,000 and $96,000 per year.

Average resource project manager salary
$70,148 Yearly
$33.73 hourly

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Resource project manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2024
Cons

Zero work life balance and very high project stress


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Pros

I like to work with a team. Satisfaction of seeing the successful completion of a project

Cons

Strict deadlines, and stakeholders. Feeling undervalued or underappreciated.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I enjoy problem-solving and identifying a path to completing a complex project. I like to ensure that moving parts come together smoothly and communicating successes and celebrating with the team.

Cons

Without the right support from project sponsors, a project manager is doomed to failure. There is an enormous amount of responsibility on a project manager to deliver a product on time and on budget, though without proper authority or backing, it's basically wheel spinning.


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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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