OVERVIEW
What is a Project Manager?
Project managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing projects from concept through completion. They take a leadership role in guiding teams, tracking progress, overseeing resource management, and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
While general managers typically oversee the day-to-day operations of a business, a project manager leads temporary initiatives with defined goals, timelines, and deliverables. Whether they’re managing a construction project or software implementation, they coordinate the people, processes, project plans, and communication needed to move projects through every stage of the project lifecycle.
As organizations increasingly rely on projects to drive growth, innovation, and operational improvements, project management has become an essential business function. Effective project management can help control costs, improve efficiency, manage scope and resources, and support successful outcomes.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in project management, earning a degree in business, management, or a related field can help you develop the leadership, communication, and organizational skills needed for success.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Project Manager Do?
Project managers work in nearly every industry, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, information technology, and construction. They are typically responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing work throughout the project lifecycle. In larger organizations, project managers may work within a PMO (Project Management Office) to help oversee projects.
A project manager’s day-to-day workload varies depending on the industry, company, and stage of the project, but common responsibilities include:
- Defining project goals, scope, requirements, and success metrics.
- Developing the business case for a successful project and helping stakeholders understand its value and expected outcomes.
- Creating project plans, scheduling, budget management, and allocating resources.
- Team management, such as assigning tasks and coordinating members to keep work moving forward.
- Tracking project progress, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring work aligns with stakeholder expectations.
- Holding a daily stand-up or arranging check-in opportunities to help keep everyone on-task and give updates.
- Managing client, vendor, and cross-functional team relationships.
- Participating in client meetings and communicating with outside stakeholders.
- Leading meetings, facilitating communication, and providing project updates to stakeholders.
- Using project management software such as Jira and building new workflows to manage timelines, communicate with vendors, schedule meetings, and assign tasks.
- Troubleshooting issues and developing solutions to keep projects on track.
- Leading junior team members and helping them get up -to -speed on areas of software, training, and tactics.
- Close projects by confirming deliverables are complete, resolving outstanding issues, documenting lessons learned for improvement, and evaluating project outcomes.
Do Project Managers Need Certifications?
While certifications aren’t usually required to become a project manager, they can help demonstrate your knowledge, strengthen your résumé, and prepare you for new career opportunities.
Common certifications include:
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
These credentials are valued across many industries, including information technology, healthcare, business, construction, and finance.
EDUCATION AND BEST DEGREES
How to Become a Project Manager?
Most project managers begin by learning the fundamentals of project management, including planning, communication, leadership, and organization. Many also earn a degree or certification and build practical experience by managing projects in the workplace, volunteering, or leading personal initiatives. As they develop their skills and experience, they become qualified to pursue project management roles across a variety of industries.
What Are the Education Requirements for a Project Manager?
Most project managers hold a bachelor’s degree in project management and have some experience in their field before working their way up into this role. While education requirements vary by employer and industry, earning a degree in business management or project management, IT management, or a related field can help you build the skills needed to lead projects, manage budgets, coordinate teams, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
A master’s degree in management and leadership or a business leadership certificate can deepen leadership, strategic planning, and project management expertise, and help you qualify for management roles. For project managers interested in technology, an MBA in Information Technology Management can help you develop the technical skills needed to oversee complex technology projects involving software, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and other IT systems.
Additionally, if you want to become a project manager in an IT-specific field, an IT master's degree can help you get the software and management skills you need to work in that industry. An IT specialization can help you focus directly on unique software and systems needed for project success in those areas.
Best Degrees for a Project Manager
Business
Project Management – B.S.
Step into your first project management role with the education and...
Step into your first project management role with the education and credentials you need.
- Time: 61% of graduates finish similar programs within 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,830 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 39 courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Agile project management
- Project planning and scheduling
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Team coordination
- Procurement and change management
- Process improvement
- Project documentation and reporting
- Project management software
The B.S. in Project Management equips you with the focused project management knowledge to guide projects from start to finish. Prepare for your career in project management and Project Management Professional (PMP®) exam eligibility through industry-aligned courses at your pace and on your schedule.
Business
Business Management – B.S.
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition: $3,830 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include:
- Business communication
- Product development
- Decision making models
- Project management strategies
- Budgeting for business
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
Business
IT Management – B.S.
IT managers are needed in nearly every organization:...
IT managers are needed in nearly every organization:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition: $3,830 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Team Leadership
- Operations Management
- Communication
- Agile Project Management
- Analytical Techniques
- Information Technology
Key competencies of these online courses align with industry needs: management and leadership, networks and security, and information systems management.
Technology
Accelerated IT Bachelor's and Master's Degree
Earn both your bachelor’s in IT and master’s in Information Technology at...
Earn both your bachelor’s in IT and master’s in Information Technology at a faster pace with fewer courses.
- Time: Approximately 5 years.
- Tuition: $3,945 per 6-month term for the bachelor's degree; $4,090 per term for the master's portion.
- Courses: 42-43 total courses in this program.
Stackable CompTIA certifications that you can earn in this program:
- IT Operations Specialist (earned with A+ and Network+)
- Cloud Administration Professional (earned with Network+ and Cloud+)
- Secure Infrastructure Specialist (earned with A+, Network+, and Security+)
- Secure Cloud Professional (earned with Security+ and Cloud+)
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Automation with Python
- Cloud and networking security
- IT service management
- Data and AI fluency and integration
- Agile project and product management
- Microsoft IT strategy in cloud, data, AI, and security
This program allows students to earn their bachelor's degree in IT and move directly into a master's degree in IT management, cutting down on the total number of courses to complete.
Business
Marketing – M.S.
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either...
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either digital marketing or marketing analytics.
- Time: 61% of graduates finish WGU master's programs in 18 months
- Tuition: $4,805 per 6-month term
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
- Specialization: Students choose from two specializations to focus their marketing studies on digital marketing or marketing analytics
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Management
- Strategic Planning
- Digital Marketing Analytics
- Presentations
- Market Research
- Communications
A marketing master's degree will help you prepare for a wide range of exciting marketing careers.
Technology
Information Technology – M.S.
A degree for experienced IT professionals ready to lead....
A degree for experienced IT professionals ready to lead.
- Time: 67% of graduates finish within 19 months.
- Tuition: $4,090 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
Included in your program—at no extra cost—is the opportunity to earn the valuable PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Scrum Alliance Certified Agile Leader 1 (CAL 1) certifications.
- Technology operations and integration
- Sourcing and planning
- Risks and influence
- Agile leadership
- Solutions development
- Project management
Maximize the opportunities that your IT career path has afforded you—earn your master's and keep moving up.
Business
Master of Business Administration
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:
- Time: Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition: $4,805 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Leadership strategies
- Talent management
- Communication
- Data collection and interpretation
- Financial statements
Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.
Business
Management and Leadership – M.S.
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and...
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and leading teams:
- Time: 60% of graduates can finish in 17 months.
- Tuition: $4,805 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that this program will teach you:
- Leadership
- Management
- Coordinating
- Communications
- Performance Management
- Planning
Develop a comprehensive suite of leadership skills and your confidence to navigate changing business structures.
Business
MBA Information Technology Management
Earn the online college degree that can move your career into IT upper...
Earn the online college degree that can move your career into IT upper management:
- Time: Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition: $4,805 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Sample careers and jobs this business degree will prepare you for:
- Management
- Project Management
- Leadership
- Innovation
- Communications
- Information Systems Security
Learn to navigate emergencies, execute strategies, and optimize systems with the competencies within this specialty MBA.
Business
Business Leadership Certificate
Enhance your résumé and take a step in your educational journey with the...
Enhance your résumé and take a step in your educational journey with the help of a leadership certificate from the School of Business.
- Time: 4 months from start to finish.
- Cost: $1,125 for the certificate.
- Courses: 3 courses total in this program.
This program is for emerging leaders, however this program does not require a bachelor’s degree, and provides transferable credit towards a WGU degree program.
Whether you aspire to work for a Fortune 500 organization, a government agency, a non-profit organization, or a fast-paced start-up, this certificate can give you the keys to success in a variety of industries, including:
- Finance and Banking
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- IT
- Consulting
- Nonprofit
- Government
Business
Project Management Certificate
Advance your career and prove your ability to drive results—on time and on...
Advance your career and prove your ability to drive results—on time and on budget. Whether you’re already leading projects or looking to step into a more formal project-focused role, WGU’s Project Management Certificate helps you convert on-the-job experience into a recognized, résumé-worthy credential.
- Time: 4 months from start to finish.
- Cost: $1,900 for the certificate.
- Courses: 4 courses total in this program.
Build the skills you need to succeed in a project management role—or to manage projects in another capacity—even without a formal background in project management.
Earning a project management certificate from WGU positions you to pursue roles like:
- Project Coordinator
- Assistant Project Manager
- Project Manager
- Project Scheduler
- Operations Coordinator
- Program Assistant
- Project Analyst
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Project Manager Need?
To succeed in this role, project managers need a diverse skill set to help them lead teams and meet project goals on time and within budget. Here are some proficiencies a project manager might benefit from having:
- Communication
- Leadership
- Budget management
- Scheduling
- Ability to learn software and task-tracking systems
- Organization and time management
- Collaboration across departments and teams
- Knowledge of spreadsheets
- Risk management
- Quality assurance
- Resource planning
- Project documentation
- Familiarity with Agile, Waterfall, and Jira
How Much Does a Project Manager Make?
$100,750
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for project managers is around $100,750 per year. Project managers in certain industries, such as construction project managers and IT project managers, may earn higher salaries. Factors such as location, industry, experience, and level of education may affect salaries. A master’s degree can help candidates qualify for higher positions, which may lead to increased earning potential.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
6%
This field is expected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, according to the BLS, with around 78,200 project management jobs each year, on average. This growth is fueled by the need for skilled project management specialists who can lead projects, manage resources, and help teams achieve strategic goals.
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