What Project Management Specialists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Project Management Specialists this way: "Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer."
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Project Management Specialists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,094,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 1,167,400 in 2035, an increase of 73,100 jobs (+6.7%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 76,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $102,320, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Project Management Specialists earn the most
Across the 29 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $86,283 in Tennessee to $127,030 in District of Columbia, a gap of $40,747 (1.47 times). 14 of those 29 states average above the BLS national median of $102,320 and 15 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 126,200, which is 10.3% of the 1,229,700 counted across them. California follows with 107,510.
Highest-paying states
District of Columbia ($127,030), West Virginia ($123,994) and New York ($122,393) lead the ranking, while Tennessee ($86,283) and Utah ($95,987) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Project Management Specialists: pay against the cost of living
We compare 44 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $72,798. The smallest margin is $40,361 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 44 of the 44 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 13.6% and 36.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Project Management Specialists
Logisticians belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (13-1000) include Management Analysts, Compliance Officers, Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists and Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists.
Frequently asked questions about Project Management Specialists
What is the national median wage for Project Management Specialists?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $102,320. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $86,283 to $127,030.
Which state pays Project Management Specialists the most?
District of Columbia, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $127,030. West Virginia is next at $123,994.
What is the job outlook for Project Management Specialists?
BLS projects employment to grow by 6.7% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 76,500 openings a year.
What education do Project Management Specialists need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Project Management Specialists afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $72,798 on a median wage of $127,030.