As businesses expand and new markets emerge, specialized people who can guide and monitor essential business duties and activities become necessary. Project Managers are the people who undertake this responsibility. As per PMI-commissioned talent gap study by Anderson Economic Group (AEG), project managers will have outstanding job opportunities and career growth in the coming five years through 2027. Following the surge in demand for project managers, many opportunities are also coming for project manager jobs in the US in 2024. Going for certificate for Project Manager will also help you boost your knowledge and get the package of your choice.
Who is a Project Manager?
A project manager is responsible for managing and implementing company goals by following projects’ performance, starting from ideation to completion. The word ‘project’ here is a loosely defined term for anything other than the day-to-day operations of a company. Project managers use specially designed tools, skills, and knowledge to map budgets, schedule, and track projects while ensuring timely delivery.
As the profession has gained much traction lately, many tools, like Asana, Microsoft Project, Zoho, Trello, etc., are available for managers to monitor a project in real time. A project manager is a point of contact between a client and the designated team, spearheading communications, necessary details, and requirements within the project life cycle.
What does a Project Manager do?
Project managers (PMs) organize, plan, and guide the execution of particular projects for an organization while ensuring that these projects are completed on time, within budget, and within the intended scope. They can influence a company’s trajectory by optimizing costs and maximizing efficiency and revenue.
Different types of jobs in project manager in USA oversee the following:
- Risk Management
- Budgeting
- Monitoring daily schedules
- Setting and allocating the jobs
- Gathering necessary resources needed for a project
Education Requirements for Project Manager US Job
There is no single path to becoming a project manager; instead, many subjects can help you become reliable and get into project manager jobs in US. You may enroll in a Business Administration degree or any other relevant degree from a recognized university. The course should generally incorporate economics, banking & finance, management, accounting, international relations, and a few other areas to equip you with managerial capabilities.
For higher education, there are various options:
- MBA or Master in Business Administration
- MS or Master of Science in Project Management
Many world-famous universities located in the US offer degree programs for project management. Some of these are:
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of Michigan
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Illinois
- Arizona State University
Top Certifications to Get Project Manager Jobs in the US
To end up in one of the best project manager jobs in the US, a professional project management certification would add significant value to your profile. Such certifications broaden your career options as a project manager, improve your CV’s credibility, and make you stand out while applying for jobs in the US.
There are many project manager certifications in the US; some of these are:
Project Manager Jobs Based on Experience in the US
Project managers are employed by almost all companies to monitor and facilitate timely deliveries and connect with clients to ensure their requirements are met. The roles and responsibilities of a project manager are hence, ever-evolving, depending on what the project demands. Project managers are needed at all operational and experience levels: junior, mid-level, and senior. As a result, there are many project manager job opportunities in the US.
- Junior/ Entry Level Jobs: Junior or entry-level project manager jobs in the US expect you to learn and drive project planning, study the necessary resources, manage documentation, understand the client’s requirements, and direct basic operations for project delivery.
- Mid-Level Jobs: As you gain more experience at the mid-level, project managers work closely with their supervisors and are expected to stay more in touch with the client. They are expected to handle multiple projects, allocate resources, and update their completion status regularly.
- Senior Level Jobs: At a senior or advanced level of project management, a project manager is expected to be accountable for timely deliveries. They are generally in a position of a director or a head of multiple projects, catering to an industry segment. Besides, they are also required to manage the entire team, facilitate issue resolution if there are any, and strategize the project as a whole development life cycle.
With changing roles and experience levels, the salary drawn by project managers also varies.
| Experience in Project Management Jobs in the US | Average Salary Drawn by a Project Manager in the US, annually |
|---|
Less than 3 years | USD 83,000 |
3 to 4 years | USD 90,000 |
5 to 9 years | USD 103,407 |
10 to 14 years | USD 120,000 |
15 to 19 years | USD 126,690 |
20 or more years | USD 135,500 |
Best Project Manager Job Role in the US
Project managers are required in several roles across all businesses and industries. Their requirement could depend on the industry, level of experience, type of project, and even salary. For instance, IT industries would benefit more from technical and software project managers; the construction industry would have construction project managers, and the marketing industry would hire project managers who oversee marketing projects. As a result, the work duties change based on the requirement. You can start with the basics by seeking an intern project manager job in the US. Besides that, there are numerous project manager job roles in the US, like the following:
1. Technical Project Manager
A technical project manager oversees IT projects from beginning to end while collaborating broadly with other technical support teams. Along with having technical IT knowledge, technical project managers need to have fundamental time management and organizational skills. A technical project management career path in the US can be ideal for you if you have a strong interest in technology, desire to see projects through to completion, love inspiring and motivating others, and perform well under pressure.
On average, a technical project manager in the US earns about USD 108,205 annually.
2. Software Project Manager
Software project management is a relatively new stream for project managers. It caters to project managers handling software-related projects and overseeing entire software development life cycles (SDLCs). A project manager's responsibility is also to ensure that everyone involved is properly onboarded and trained and that each software project is timely completed. Moreover, software project managers must ensure that deliveries are made within budget and in accordance with all established standards.
Software project manager jobs in the US pay as high as USD 132,086, making them the highest paying jobs in project manager in the US.
3. Construction Project Manager
To manage long-term construction projects, a project manager with expertise in construction management is required at all construction companies. They are a person who can plan and execute a construction project using available resources, software, and a realistic budget. A construction project manager also works closely with vendors and contractors to source the best and economically viable solutions while managing supplies, making their job slightly different from other project managers.
On average, construction project managers earn about USD 108,219.
4. Senior Project Manager
Senior project managers fundamentally have similar responsibilities as that of a project manager; however, they oversee ongoing projects from a broader view and scope. They are responsible for strategizing, deciding timelines, and allocating activities to team members while catering to more complicated projects and staying in touch with clients to brief them about the project status. Senior project managers in the US are also expected to handle multiple projects simultaneously and manage bigger teams.
A senior project manager is the US earns about USD 123,600, making it one of the best project manager jobs in the US.
Top Cities where KnowledgeHut Conduct Project Management Certification Training Course Online
Remote Project Manager Jobs in the US
A project manager is one such profession that allows you to work remotely or from home. Since the job requires planning, overseeing, and ensuring timely delivery of a client’s requirements, it is pretty manageable with digital communications. Numerous companies are choosing to offer project manager online jobs in the US because it is convenient to track and keep an eye on the ongoing work with project management platforms like Trello, Asana, and Basecamp.
Remote project manager jobs in the US provide flexibility to project managers and have many other advantages. They reduce operational costs, advocate work-life balance, reduce staffing requirements, and enhance focus & productivity as employees work in their environment.
Remote project manager jobs in the US also pay salaries near-similar to offline project management jobs. The average pay for a moderately experienced remote project manager is about USD 96,928, while an experienced one can go as high as USD 118,100. Companies like BCG (Boston Consulting Group), Bechtel, Mott MacDonald, Bloom Consulting, Anser Advisory, and many others actively hire project managers.
You can also seek a part time project manager job in the US before shifting to a full-time role. PMP preparation training will prepare you to clear the exam with utmost confidence.
Freelance Project Manager Jobs in the US
The majority of companies face capital challenges at some point. Over the last few years, hiring freelancers has emerged as one of the most feasible solutions to this challenge. Companies negotiate the capital issue with a competitive edge by only paying for the completed work when hiring freelance project managers.
Skill-wise, freelance project managers must have all the relevant certifications, like PRINCE2, PgMP, etc., and work experience like regular employees. However, they can manage their working time and commuting preferences (if required).
The average annual wage for a freelance project manager in the USA is $68,250, or $35 per hour. Most experienced workers earn up to $106,275 annually, while entry-level roles start at $56,550.
Best Cities for Project Manager Jobs in the US
Project management is an emerging profession for people from all backgrounds. Consequently, there are project manager openings everywhere in the US, but not all states/cities are the same in terms of pay, perks, time off, etc.
| Best Cities for Project Manager Job in the US | Salary Range (INR / Average - Per Annum) |
|---|
San Jose | Approx. USD 99,430 |
San Francisco | Approx. USD 101,121 |
Boston | Approx. USD 91,624 |
New York | Approx. USD 95,479 |
Denver | Approx. USD 86,387 |
Seattle | Approx. USD 99,344 |
Skills Required for Project Manager Jobs in the US
A project manager does not have particular skill requirements because the technical skills needed vary depending on the project. In contrast, soft skills are necessary for all jobs, not just for project manager jobs in the US. However, having project management certifications like Scrum, PMP, PgMP, etc., does make you a better applicant.
These certifications are accepted everywhere, so your skills are credible even if you plan to move out of/to the USA. Other skills like promotional planning, problem-solving, risk mitigation, and leadership value would also help. After ensuring that you have these skills, you can start looking for project manager jobs for freshers in the US.
US-based Project Manager Jobs for Indian /Other Country Students
Given the options of remote working project manager positions and companies expanding their employee base globally, many project manager jobs in the US for Indian students are open. Moreover, many universities in the US offer extensive project management courses and training programs. These include:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
- Gonzaga University,
- Arizona State University,
- University of Michigan,
- University of Texas -Dallas.
These universities welcome outstation students to educate and train them for project management roles. Once done with the degree, students can apply for US-based project manager jobs. Having said this, graduating from universities in the country itself adds an unsaid advantage to landing decent project manager jobs in the US for Indian students.
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How Can I Get Project Manager Job in the United States?
Any working professional with relevant educational background and experience can land decent project manager jobs in the US. Shifting to a project management role becomes more manageable if you already work in resource management, operations, supervisory, or other similar functions. These work positions teach you how to manage within the available time and resources to accomplish a task timely.
Further, getting project management certifications also enhances your chances of landing project manager jobs in the US. Once you find your skills and background relevant, start applying your knowledge in independent or freelance projects. Then, you can finally apply for project manager jobs.
Summarizing
- Get relevant education in business management or project management.
- Get certified with stamps like PMP, CAMP, PgMP, PMITS, etc.
- Get work experience by working on independent projects and freelancing.
- Apply for project manager jobs in the US.
Conclusion
Project management is an emerging profession that will soon face an all-time high surge in demand in coming years. Especially as companies grow and undertake more projects, the necessity to have people who oversee and manage these projects becomes clearer. Project managers handle the operationality of projects and bring alignment, quality, and credibility to your business work.
Moreover, the efforts put into a project are not the only determinant of its success. Many external factors, like market conditions, also have an impact. As a project manager, it is their responsibility to study and analyze each project and its shortcomings. Getting training in PRINCE2 will help you prepare for PRINCE2 foundation and practitioner exams.
