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Job outlook for senior project administrators in the United States
Senior project administrator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior project administrator job growth rate is -8% from 2018-2028.
About -286,900 new jobs for senior project administrators are projected over the next decade.
Senior project administrator salaries have increased 8% for senior project administrators in the last 5 years.
There are over 6,587 senior project administrators currently employed in the United States.
There are 118,213 active senior project administrator job openings in the US.
The average senior project administrator salary is $79,389.
Are senior project administrator jobs in demand?
Senior project administrator job and salary trends over time
Senior project administrator jobs over time
Senior project administrator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,587 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 9,965 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 10,977 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 6,123 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 5,690 | 0.00% |
Average senior project administrator salary over time
Senior project administrator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $79,389 | $38.17 | +4.2% |
| 2024 | $76,152 | $36.61 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $75,168 | $36.14 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $73,860 | $35.51 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | $73,413 | $35.29 | +0.1% |
Senior project administrator jobs by state
Most common states for senior project administrators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 406 | 59% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 218 | 29% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 377 | 28% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,873 | 27% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,522 | 27% |
| 6 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,754 | 24% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 460 | 24% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 140 | 24% |
| 9 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 460 | 22% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 163 | 22% |
| 11 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 356 | 21% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,144 | 20% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 846 | 20% |
| 14 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 594 | 20% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,162 | 19% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,090 | 19% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 603 | 19% |
| 18 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 2,099 | 18% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 195 | 18% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 171 | 18% |
Most common cities for senior project administrators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watertown Town | 2 | 6% | $85,781 |
| 2 | Broomfield | 1 | 2% | $60,953 |
| 3 | Napa | 1 | 1% | $95,889 |
| 4 | Overland Park | 1 | 1% | $62,294 |
| 5 | Pasadena | 1 | 1% | $88,663 |
| 6 | Salinas | 1 | 1% | $95,385 |
| 7 | Houston | 3 | 0% | $67,934 |
| 8 | San Jose | 2 | 0% | $95,655 |
| 9 | Dallas | 1 | 0% | $67,306 |
| 10 | Fresno | 1 | 0% | $93,821 |
| 11 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $88,072 |
| 12 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $69,596 |
| 13 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $88,720 |
| 14 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $77,821 |
| 15 | Portland | 1 | 0% | $74,060 |
| 16 | Raleigh | 1 | 0% | $84,006 |
| 17 | Sacramento | 1 | 0% | $95,103 |
Senior Project Administrator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior project administrator 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
Penn State Behrend
Wofford College
University of Kansas
Luther College
Franklin and Marshall College
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
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Dalton State
University of Illinois at Chicago
Coastal Carolina University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Laura Deeter PhD
Professor of Practice: Horticulture and Crop ScienceOhio State University
Applied Horticulture And Horticultural Business Services
What Senior Project Administrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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 Senior Project Administrators 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 certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior Project Administrators?
Roger Travis: The BA in a humanities field continues to mark a candidate who know how to think and how to write. A BA in classics will continue to distinguish a candidate as having particularly strong skills in critical thinking.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Project Administrators?
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 Senior Project Administrators?
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 are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Project Administrator job market given the pandemic?
George Owens: I think for one, the concepts of "where" we work given the acceptance of technology will be one of the biggest trends. Many industries and companies knew the value of technology as well as flexibility in terms of "where" work occurs. For many who had not see the light, the pandemic has solidified the thought that we can be present in our jobs and be successful with the use of technology. In my opinion, there will now be more opportunities to work remotely and we will see a permanent acceptance of the role of technology.
As far as the trends in the overall job market, we may see a shift in how we recruit. If I am running a business and I am comfortable with certain roles being entirely remote or majority remote, I have much greater flexibility in how and where I can recruit. There will be in turn, more opportunities for applicants comfortable with remote work and technology. Bottom line is there will be more opportunity for those new graduates who are comfortable working in flexible environments.
What's a good job out of college for Senior Project Administrators?
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 technical skills for a Senior Project Administrator 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 are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Project Administrator 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.
Brian Starr Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of EconomicsLubbock Christian University
School of Business
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Project Administrators?
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 Senior Project Administrator?
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.
Emmanuel Hernandez Agosto
Associate Professor/ Entrepreneurship Program ManagerGulf Coast State College
Business & Technology Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Project Administrators?
Emmanuel Hernandez Agosto: The short answer is yes. Although it is early, some reports of PTSD cases have been seen in healthcare workers, which will affect the way administrators develop, motivate and manage their teams. Creating a safe work environment and organizational culture will be crucial to prevent triggering those affected.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior Project Administrators?
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 soft skills should all Senior Project Administrators possess?
Emmanuel Hernandez Agosto: Even though it may sound redundant, but punctual, proactiveness, cordial to others, and desire to learn about other cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds is an asset in the new generation of managers. Employers always look for these, but it is impressive how many work environments don't have managers interested in developing these soft skills.
What type of skills will young Senior Project Administrators need?
Phil Stuczynski: Hitting just a few of the big ones, computer skills are going to be as important as ever. We have seen individuals in many fields embrace the idea of technology. Supply chains are being tested, and with that comes the financial capacity to build those facilities and shipping routes. International skills including trade and negotiations will be key. And truly any of the numbers from data analysis, to software that helps understand and manipulate said data, and especially financial and accounting. The long story short is probably three major skills.
1) Communication (with people and computers / software). 2) Analysis (economic at the macro level, and business specific / financial / accounting at the micro level). and 3) Self learning. As we have seen through this pandemic, we have seen processes, systems, products, and entire operations literally change overnight in response to biological threats, supply chains being broken, or by government decree. Individuals who can adapt on the fly and go find a new solution (even if it means they need to teach themselves the system, teach themselves the technology or software, teach themselves the coding, etc.), those are the types of graduates that employers are not just going to like, but are actively looking for.
What experience really stands out on Senior Project Administrator resumes?
Phil Stuczynski: Currently? I think a big one is going to be being flexible, showing you are able to adapt, and having any example of continuing to push through during these recent times.
We have had students who have literally been stuck. They have been in an apartment or a dormitory hours (or countries) away from home. And yet they still managed. They still did their coursework, they learned new software on the fly, they felt comfortable asking more questions than ever and even teaching themselves more as needed.
When we go back to something such as the great financial crisis, you had individuals who would sort of get burnt out when searching for a job. And to be fair, who could blame them. This was a strained economy and even the most qualified of candidates were hard pressed to find employment coming out of college when you had people with decades of experience competing just to continue bringing a paycheck in. However, you also had some individuals who would do what was necessary. For example I am keenly aware of an individual student I had years ago who was qualified for almost any job in a normal economy. That being said, he took a job with a bank where his degree wasn't even required. He was overqualified and knew it, but he would rather get experience than just sit around and do nothing. Fast forward a few years and he was not only at that bank only a short time before being promoted, but he used that promotion to move into yet a higher role later and has continued to enjoy success he may not have had if he was just waiting on a good job to come along.
What I'm saying is, the parallels here are through no fault of their own, students are going to enter an economy where things aren't as normal as they were just weeks before. This is going to sort itself out, but the students who push forward and adapt and just do something will stand out compared to those who sit on the sidelines and wait. Anything that highlights they are flexible and able to work in the face of disjointed operations or new limitations will not just find themselves being sought after, but because businesses need employees who can make quick changes on the fly more than ever, those students who can prove they can do it? They're going to be the ones who get ahead.
Dr. Smriti Bhargava Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of EconomicsWofford College
Economics Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Project Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Smriti Bhargava Ph.D.: This is a hard question to answer given the uncertainty that exists. One trend that is likely to stay is the possibility of working remotely or working-from-home. More and more companies are gravitating towards this trend, and this may open many exciting and flexible opportunities for new graduates and current workers. It may also take a while for the job market to heat up again and to create new jobs.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Project Administrators?
Milena Stanislavova Ph.D.: Along with all the obvious negatives, I feel that we were forced to experiment and innovate the way we teach and learn, and it has brought a lot of ingenuity and creativity on the part of both professors and students. This past semester I have seen so much depth of experiences and focus on what really matters, optimization of the amount of facts versus hands on problem solving techniques, and just sheer planning of the time spent in the classroom time on the part of professors. At the same time, students are forced to be more organized and self-sufficient, skills that will serve them well on the job market and beyond. This new and more focused way of teaching and learning, using every instrument in our toolbox and varying the virtual, in-person and hands-on practical will definitely remain after the pandemic is over.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Project Administrator?
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 are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Project Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Nicole Jones Young Ph.D.: One big trend we will see is the continuation of working from home. It may not be for all employees every day, but I think that is definitely here to stay. Many employees have been asking for this benefit for years. After almost a year of working from home, many employers that were reluctant in the past have likely realized that employees can still be very productive and they can decrease expenses related to office space.
Another is related to the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion related efforts. While the majority of the country was quarantined, we all witnessed the same horrific murder of George Floyd, and there was nothing else to distract us from finally directly addressing issues related to race in this country. Many employees of color, and particularly Black employees, are no longer interested in making everyone else around them feel comfortable. Organizations that issued statements and initiatives in the spring will likely be held more accountable than ever before.
Another trend may be the elimination of jobs in their previous iteration. Many companies that have survived, or even thrived, during COVID likely did so by adapting. As such, these organizations may not return to their prior ways of doing business, which may require employees and applicants to increase or highlight a different skill set.
Mark Paquette
Principal Program CoordinatorUniversity of Colorado Colorado Springs
College of Business
What skills stand out on Senior Project Administrator resumes?
Mark Paquette: Many skills standout on resumes, but I believe these are the four best: technical skills, leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and communication-specifically the ability to be concise and accurate. I think a better way to think about this is that relevant information is what stands out. Many resumes are packed full of irrelevant details, subjective statements of soft skill, and lack quantifiable bullets that show skill or accomplishment for the role to which one is applying. Recruiters lose interest in irrelevancy, and they do so quickly (average amount of time a recruiter spends on a resume is just 6 seconds).
Additionally, I've seen hundreds of resumes full of errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and even the individual's own name, yet they also claim to have "excellent communication skills" or be "detail-oriented"-so there is a disconnect. Candidates who tailor their resumes to the job, ensuring their experiences and education showcase relevancy to such position, and who do so with accuracy, demonstrate the best skill of all-that they are qualified for, and understand, the position at hand.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Project Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Cortnee Young: I believe work-from-home/virtual job opportunities will become more available. For recent graduates, this comes with pros and cons. I believe a big pro is the availability to more opportunity (versus narrowing down their search to specific geographic locations). A major con that I see would be the inability to learn hands-on skills and teachable moments from being in the office, for their first job.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Project Administrators?
James R. Thompson Ph.D.: The coronavirus pandemic has made apparent the vital role the government plays in addressing society's larger problems. It will attract new people to the field of public administration and strengthen the commitment of those already in the field to their careers.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Project Administrator?
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.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Senior Project Administrators, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Matthew Gilbert: Starting salaries for marketing students will vary by role and region, but a reasonable range is mid $40,000 to mid $50,000. According to Indeed (Link ) "this is lower than general business degrees, but major marketing salaries rise to the top at the master's level, earning around $86,318."
Generally speaking, engineering, computer science, and math-related majors have higher starting salaries and perhaps greater potential for earnings. However, marketing salaries remain well above those for students in the arts of humanities.
Certainly, with the present economic predicament in which we find ourselves, these estimates might be irrelevant as companies downsize in the wake of economic shutdowns and changing economic outlooks. Nevertheless, marketing remains a relevant degree with a reasonable return on your investment.
Lynn Hoffman
Professor of Management and EntrepreneurshipMetropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Management
What experience really stands out on Senior Project Administrator resumes?
Lynn Hoffman: A clear, well-written resume tailored to that job is crucial. The writer should list all of their job experiences on a piece of paper. Then, if they are looking for a sales job, explain what the experience was, what they learned about sales and proficiency. If they are looking for a management job, they should take each experience and explain what, who, how they managed in that experience.
2. Explain their job experiences and skills carefully.
3. Practical experience really stands out, such as jobs, internships, etc.
How do you envision technology impacting Senior Project Administrators 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 Senior Project Administrators?
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 Senior Project Administrators 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 Senior Project Administrators 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.