Project Manager Salary - How Much Can You Make? (2018)

UPDATE: The Masterclass has been closed. But you will find all of the same material in the "Creating Project Plans People Actually Follow" course.
Check out my training and templates, here: bit.ly/2t8k6jQ
In this episode we continue discussing Project Management as a career option. I talk about salary ranges for the various Project Management job levels and the factors that influence pay overall. In addition, I discuss why I think Project Management represents a unique opportunity to climb the ranks and earn a higher salary much faster than in other professions.

[@travismccoy8316]

Thanks so much for this video. Making project management the emphasis for my career has changed my professional life. I landed a Project Coordinator opportunity in 2020 just two years out of college making 58k. I was promoted to Project Manager at 68k (more realistically a Jr. PM role) later that year due to the way I assisted in Risk analysis and mitigation for the entire Operations unit in response to Covid. Today I’m working on my PMP certification process, and managing merger and acquisition projects for the same company. The number one skill is communication, including understanding the interpersonal dynamics of your company and how decisions get made.

[@kyawmyokm789]

You will make a hell of a mentor. Please keep the videos coming.

[@shanagarrett7666]

I agree.

[@christinad4799]

Incredibly helpful and very current! Love the shop talk aspect. Thank You.

[@picsnapr]

Wow... setting speed at 1.5, still works

[@GiannaFrontera]

😂

[@stephanebere937]

Lmao 😂

[@iknowyouarebutwhatami]

Location Location Location! One HUGE factor regarding compensation

[@VividGrease]

Just today learning about this profession, and am fascinated by everything I'm learning, especially with your videos!

[@fleaparker3440]

After being in sales for 17 years I am investigating new careers. This has been a great source for understanding what a PM is really about

[@agoutimotorsport2870]

Huge help, I'm really interested in this field and just listening to you is a huge help

[@Victor-by1um]

Great stuff, thank you for the insights much love from the U.K

[@quintonholmlund2708]

Clear and helpful again. Great work.

[@chrisscoggins7258]

Really good video. Appreciate you taking the time.

[@becomingspirituallyrich8343]

Please keep the videos coming. All of your insight has been extremely helpful as someone breaking into the industry. I hope/plan to be an a junior PM or PM role within the next year so all of this foundational information is definitely encouraging me while on my PM journey. Thanks so much!

[@nidhibadrakia2629]

Thank you for the video. really helpful and informative!

[@jonathanobi001]

I appreciate how clearly you come across in your videos. I've been looking for a deeper understanding of what PMs do but this is the first source that has actually helped me. Please keep up the excellent work

[@shanagarrett7666]

Yes, I agree.

[@drtyprior]

Informative, thank you

[@babifaceluv]

Great video it completely aligns with my experience

[@ianchin5634]

Thank you for the quality content

[@FindingTheFaith]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[@niksprojects]

I just started following your channel today. I recently made a video on my channel on "How to become a PM". I agree to the topics that you have here. I subscribed, I would love to collaborate with you if that is an option you are looking for and we can discuss how. But the topics and thought process resonate very well between your channel and mine. Either way I enjoyed watching your videos.

[@mohammadchowdhury6729]

Good guidance! Salute Buddy☺

[@chalpua8802]

Regular PM pulling in 105k. Senior PMs pull in 115-135k in my area.

[@HamzaBen90]

Do you know how much a pm makes in canada?

[@chalpua8802]

@@HamzaBen90 I dont live in Canada but for IT I would bet its similar to myself.

[@Bando4.20]

where do you live sir ?

[@salvadormarin6807]

I second this.

[@999dober]

@@HamzaBen90 PM makes somewhere between 85- 120k and Sr PM above 120k. A contractor earns even more

[@bicanoo_magic3452]

I have more than 40+ years in IT and more than 15+years as a Senior PM. My experience is with large enterprise, Government and Multi-national corporations. Nowadays a Bachelors is a must but don't think a an MBA at 23yo is going to mean anything to a senior manager. Experience is everything, not piece of paper. However, one piece of paper that does matter is this: If you'e in the UK you HAVE to do the PRINCE II Practitioner course. If you are in North America it's the PMP exam. Anything else is not recognised and unknown. There's a huge difference between contractors and Perm roles. I can say around the world it's pretty much the same. I have managed projects as large as $10M, but due to the Sarbanes Oxley ruling contractors aren't allowed to be responsible for such amounts on behalf of another company anymore. I typically end up on projects as large as $500M but not as a PM, but still have to have the same skills. On these projects you typically have to have another skill they want e.g Data Migration , SAP, functional, finance etc. anything infrastructure pays considerably less and is considered 'grunt work' of the PM world. Unless you are a PM that specialises, don't expect much in the way of a great salary. Pick the most expensive area of your industry and specialise in that. Salaries in the energy and utilities industries are as high as $300K p.a.as a specialist contractor PM with tons of experience in tier 1 corporations and if you're willing to travel. That's not including airfares, accommodation and all communications paid for. If you want stability in your home country then the finance industry is for you. Boring, pays above market, portable and stable but typically only in your own tax jurisdiction. This guy is spot on with just about everything else. Federal does pay more, but you must be at least a citizen and usually need 'Baseline Clearance', which can be expensive and a long wait. You normally have to be invited for these jobs. One last point. As you get older, jobs tend to dry up as you become 'over qualified'. At one point you will find that people no longer pick you for their projects. This is because they are in fact intimidated by your experience and are worried you will 'show them up', point out the project faults , or generally pose a threat or cause trouble. So all of a sudden you stop getting hired and it's really perplexing and can be very damaging to a persons self esteem. You might have to wait for up to nine months to find someone who is willing to hire you, and it's not like you can just lower your salary expectations and get the job. It doesn't work that way.You need the cash flow to sustain this and the belief that "it's not you". I hope this helps with those seeking the top end roles and salaries and what to expect in your career. I wish someone had told me all that at the beginning.

[@TomTomTuning]

Fantastic information, Jason. It's great having an insight on the expected salary ranges. I often see positions for Project Coordinator, where would you rank that in your scale of PM positions. Several titles seem to be used loosely, so it can be confusing. I'm really looking forward to the next video on classes! Thanks again.

[@PMPerspective]

Hey Tom. I'd include the Project Coodinator role in the "entry level" PMO positions. I've seen the same role referred to by many names; examples include: Project Coordinator Project Administrator Project Control Officer Project Analyst The Project Analyst should be, and is typically more senior than the rest,

[@hyakushiki23]

Hello Jason, where would you put a Project Analyst and a Sr. Project Analyst? Also, what range of pay do you think they would earn? (Assuming full time employee, not contractor)

[@PMPerspective]

In the video I refer to the "PA" as the entry level role. This role can be referred to by many different titles: Project Administrator Project Coordinator Project Control Officer Project Analyst These roles typically are paid in the range of $40 to $60k annually. Exactly how much a particular role will offer depends greatly on the location and the amount of experience the employer is looking for. I find that the "Project Analyst" role is typically more senior, and we would expect more from an analyst than an administrator or control officer. Also, on occasion, I've run into some VERY senior Project Analysts, who have made the decision that they never want to be a project manager, they are awesome at what they do, they have a ton of experience and they end up working on massive programs. These PA's are worth their weight in gold and - if the employer is smart - they pay more than the stated $60k, above.

[@jeramyzachary1]

Where does project engineer fall?

[@ryanmiller2639]

@@jeramyzachary1 same question

[@yoitsrami]

Please make more videos. This is a good source of information

[@alldaymori1]

Thank you! I really enjoyed your video, very informational. I passed the PMP exam a few days ago, would you have any advise about the best approach for entry level PM positions, are there specialized recruiting agencies or should I focus on applying directly to specific companies?

[@lexiconlover]

Thank you!!!

[@Barberseanmichael]

my man, Im just trying to get paid, I feel I can and will do good in this avenue, just changed my major to Project managment from sports management

[@ejdrip44]

How’s it going

[@chrisbrand6688]

Thanks for making these videos I’m 18 and I’ve worked on a couple projects with my father who’s an individual contractor...but I found it pretty interesting how the whole thing came together. So I’m pretty interested in being a PM

[@iknowyouarebutwhatami]

Awesome video

[@elebea868]

Thanks!!!!

[@juansantillan496]

hey these videos are great. learning a lot. two questions though, do you know if there are any project management positions within the film industry? and if ao, where do they lye on the salary scale?

[@see5840]

Thanks for sharing, Jason! I'm wondering should a right PM by himself apply for a higher salary or this is his manager job to recognize to do offer or give him a higher compensation or promotion? I will appreciate if you respond !

[@ochuutv7195]

Nice one...

[@moniquedivalove]

Very informative

[@scientistmurshid]

Thank you

[@tammierenee8835]

Thanks. When talking salary please say what part of the country your baseline is from. Again, great info!

[@rkhandle]

I will say, I think the Biotech and Oil industries are some of the most competitive for project managers. Good luck trying to break in without a STEM and/or MBA degree though.

[@abundance6560]

When will you post a more recent video?

[@sofloparatrooper1486]

What about pm's in the aerospace defense industry where do those salaries fall?

[@syngen462]

Would I be able to work in the USA. I have a PRINCE2 Practitioner Qualification -and pmbok Certificate.. II Currently work in the Financial Sector South Africa as JNR PMJ

[@stevenh6422]

I'm about to take my PMP exam. I have a health science manager unfortunately and my question is how do I not get filtered out in the application as a Jr. Pm or PM because of my manager. Should I lie because I am either not getting called or getting denied flat out because I dont meet the degree requirements like CS or business even though I am applying to a Jr position and about to have a pmp. Any advice?

[@tabindagazia2217]

Hi, I am hopeful that you will be responding to my question. Thank you for the informative video, I am watching the whole playlist today. I would like to ask that I have 6.2 years experience in software and customer support role, I am engineering graduate from India. I am not inclined towards coding related roles. I want to get into product role, but in remote role and a good company from US/UK. Also my salary is pretty less as compared to market standards. Could you please advise, how to go about that and also do I need to disclose my present salary in interview (as I am afraid it will lead to issue while negotiation) Please guide. Thank you.

[@HamzaBen90]

Are these ranges similar to what exists in canada?

[@Hello11235]

hey! know you said this was for US only, but i might be getting a job in a tech startup as a PM, they never had one before so it would be a new role, i dont have experience as a PM but i have been a contractor therapist before and trained people in my team etc. The company has to do with therapy. They are advertising 28.000 a year... now i know that is too low even for the UK and for someone without experience. Also they will want me to do more than just PM, they want me to be a researcher, and conduct and publish scientific journals, that is two jobs in one. For that money?? How do you negotiate to something that is fair? I know that i will have to downgrade my current salary bc i am changing careers, at the same time, what is fair?

[@hakimfigs]

Hey Jason! I’m in the navy right now and I’m getting out in a few years. I don’t have a degree as of now but I’m trying to get in the the Project Management realm and was curious on if my experience could help me get my foot in the door to get into the entry level so I can work more on my future career. Thanks!

[@etn422]

Hi! You can take the Project Management Certification by Google on Coursera. It'll definitely make you more desirable as a PM

[@alirionunez5441]

looking goog

[@martingaeta670]

How does a PMP certification play into those pay ranges?

[@niksprojects]

PMP will definitely help negotiate as well as filter your CV to bring it on top when applying for a PM position. Personally it has helped me. I kind of touched about it in my How to become a PM video. If you are looking to be in the Project Management space long term then irrespective of pay ranges I would strongly recommend getting your PMP and I can assure it will help you some way or another, based on my personal experience.

[@michaelscoffield2267]

I'm from Uk and i'm will be going to college next year but i not sure what courses i should take to become a PM. Do you have any suggestion?

[@niksprojects]

I would suggest anything that can enhance leadership skills and communication would help you out when you work as a PM.

[@jackchou1425]

do we need to be a professional on certain domain to be a "middle-senior" project manager? I belive so, but still want you to talk about it. Thanks

[@ITProjectManagers]

No. The higher you go as a project manager, the less you rely on the domain knowledge. You start working at a higher level, with only time, money, and scope (requirements included). And you do it with hand and brains of others as much as possible. Keeping on the project management aspects to yourself. However, keeping yourself updated with the latest trends, technologies, and options is a must. But it's "news" and "ads" level most of the time.

[@jackchou1425]

Project Management Basics thank you very much for your advice sir

[@alexanderpadalka5708]

🗽

[@mohanadali7349]

Does this apply on construction project management?

[@user-kg7pr8pn9i]

Hi wazzup homies) What's going on buddy?

[@tracywade4656]

Hello Mr Jason, can i get your email?