How much does a project management specialist make?
The median project management specialist in the United States earns $102,320 per year, about $49.19 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all project management specialists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-1082.
Project management specialist salary range
Pay for project management specialists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $61,580 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $167,970. The average (mean) wage of $110,740 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,580 | $29.61 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $78,440 | $37.71 | |
| Median (50th) | $102,320 | $49.19 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $133,100 | $63.99 | |
| 90th percentile | $167,970 | $80.76 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for project management specialists (SOC 13-1082), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Project management specialist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Project management specialists earn the most in Washington at $124,160 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $77,170. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $124,160 | 36,240 |
| New Jersey | $122,980 | 28,300 |
| Delaware | $122,190 | 1,770 |
| New York | $121,040 | 68,020 |
| California | $120,910 | 114,380 |
| Virginia | $120,840 | 43,860 |
| Massachusetts | $114,190 | 21,960 |
| Colorado | $110,050 | 32,390 |
| New Mexico | $106,970 | 4,330 |
| Oregon | $105,480 | 19,380 |
| Connecticut | $105,240 | 8,410 |
| District of Columbia | $104,900 | 5,170 |
| Rhode Island | $104,680 | 3,880 |
| Maryland | $104,040 | 30,530 |
| Illinois | $103,470 | 27,180 |
| Georgia | $102,140 | 28,900 |
| Maine | $101,830 | 2,620 |
| Michigan | $100,970 | 25,330 |
| Alabama | $100,820 | 3,190 |
| North Carolina | $100,820 | 36,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $100,150 | 36,150 |
| Kansas | $100,010 | 6,030 |
| Nevada | $99,940 | 8,290 |
| Alaska | $99,580 | 1,950 |
| Arizona | $99,050 | 22,920 |
| Texas | $98,440 | 138,960 |
| Florida | $98,070 | 76,370 |
| Minnesota | $97,860 | 18,850 |
| Wisconsin | $97,580 | 21,610 |
| Utah | $96,720 | 16,450 |
| Iowa | $96,540 | 6,720 |
| North Dakota | $96,160 | 2,020 |
| Ohio | $95,770 | 34,260 |
| Idaho | $95,630 | 5,750 |
| South Carolina | $95,040 | 17,040 |
| Indiana | $95,020 | 11,970 |
| Missouri | $94,660 | 21,460 |
| Wyoming | $94,080 | 1,180 |
| West Virginia | $91,780 | 2,520 |
| New Hampshire | $90,890 | 3,840 |
| Montana | $87,890 | 2,940 |
| Oklahoma | $86,240 | 11,220 |
| Tennessee | $85,890 | 20,780 |
| Louisiana | $84,850 | 8,050 |
| South Dakota | $82,250 | 1,310 |
| Kentucky | $81,700 | 10,250 |
| Vermont | $80,800 | 1,190 |
| Nebraska | $80,150 | 3,190 |
| Mississippi | $78,870 | 4,320 |
| Hawaii | $78,000 | 1,560 |
| Arkansas | $77,170 | 5,510 |
State median wages for project management specialists (SOC 13-1082), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for project management specialists
The BLS projects employment of project management specialists to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,094,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,167,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 76,500 openings a year for project management specialists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a project management specialist
The typical entry-level education for project management specialists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a project management specialist earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $124,160) and the lowest (Arkansas, $77,170) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,066,670 people work as project management specialists in the United States. At $102,320 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Project management specialist salary FAQ
How much does a project management specialist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a project management specialist is $49.19. The middle half of project management specialists earn between $37.71 and $63.99 per hour.
What is the highest project management specialist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of project management specialists earn more than $167,970 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a project management specialist make a year?
The median annual salary for a project management specialist is $102,320. The average (mean) wage of $110,740 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a project management specialist a well paid job?
At $102,320 a year, a project management specialist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,066,670 people work as project management specialists in the United States.
Which state pays project management specialists the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for project management specialists at $124,160 a year. New Jersey ($122,980) and Delaware ($122,190) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a project management specialist a good career?
Employment of project management specialists is projected to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 76,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a project management specialist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for project management specialists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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