Being a project manager can involve a wide variety of skills, depending on the industry you work in. Project management salaries vary accordingly, but in general it can be a rewarding and lucrative field. There is a need for the kind of organizational, managerial and communications skills that project managers must bring to the table in whatever field they are involved with.
Project management requires you to be a multifaceted individual, with the ability to work with a variety of people, and to be able to meet deadlines and motivate others to cooperate. These skills are needed in just about every kind of company. The website www.payscale.com estimates that some of the highest paid people in the PM field are, not surprisingly, involved with technology, such as IT and software. The average salaries for PM in these fields are a little over $80,000. In construction, a PM is more likely to earn around $70,000.
Salaries for project managers, like any field, will vary based on factors like experience, industry and location.
For example, those with under a year's experience --entry level, in other words-- start out at around $50,000, while those with 20+ years experience average at about $95,000, so we can see that this is a career that it can be profitable to stick with.
In today's economy, it can be difficult to get and retain any kind of career, but it is reasonable to assume that good project managers will continue to be in demand, perhaps now more than ever. For as companies become increasingly budget conscious, and must work harder to please customers and clients, it becomes all the more essential for projects to be effectively managed at all levels. The salaries paid to PMs are good investments if time, quality and funds are more wisely used as a result of that person's skills.
If you are looking to enter the PM field, you will naturally be interested in the potential salary, but this should not be your only focus. In the long run, you will not only be happier, but you will earn more in the kind of job where your natural talents are allowed to come through. In other words, it's important to work in the kind if industry where you feel at home.
Since a project manager has to be a liaison between different departments, you also have to be able to get along with and communicate with a diversity of people, no matter what kind of company you work for. However, most people feel more comfortable in certain kinds of companies than others. There can be a big difference, for example, in the atmosphere at a software company, an entertainment-oriented company and one involved in construction.
If you choose the type of environment that will best match your personality and attributes, you are far more likely to succeed than if you simply try to pick the job that might promise the highest project management salaries based on statistics.
In the Keller program, you’ll learn the skills necessary to become a more effective project manager, including creativity, adaptability, and flexibility. Whether you’re trying to balance your education with a full-time career or have the time available to dedicate to offline classes, the Keller Project Management program has an opportunity that will meet your needs. Learn more about Keller Graduate School | Request free info
If you’re looking to expand your business credentials, the Project Management Program at Boston University offers over 100 different courses in project management training, including management training courses, certificate programs, and even PMI, PMP, or CAPM certification preparation courses.
