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Online Master of Science in Project Management

Project Management Career Outlook

Manage Risk, Drive Results, and Become Indispensable in Any Industry

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a veteran looking to add versatility to your professional career, project management careers are adaptable, lucrative, and growing.1,2,3

  • 33 percent growth in project management job opportunities through 2027
  • 2.1 million new jobs from 2017 to 2027
  • $112,000 median annual salary across industries in the United States

The skills you learn will allow you to be successful in high-paying leadership positions in nearly any industry3:

  • Pharmaceutical: $129,000
  • Agriculture, Mining, and Natural Resources: $130,000
  • Consulting: $125,000
  • Aerospace: $118,000
  • Engineering: $117,500
  • Utility: $117,875
  • Government: $113,875
  • Information Technology: $114,000

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Project Manager Career Outlook

Project managers are sought after for their ability to support senior-level roles and are often an indispensable part of the team. Explore some popular project manager careers:

Construction Project Manager

  • Construction project managers are responsible for coordinating the planning, budget, and execution of large-scale construction projects — including mitigating risk, ensuring projects are completed on time, and abiding by all regulatory standards.

    • 2026 Median Salary: $106,9804
IT Project Manager

  • Develop plans to assist organizations in finding, buying, and administering the technology and networking they need to succeed. Evaluate scope and budget to ensure implementation runs smoothly. Develop long-term adaptation plans as technology evolves.

    • 2026 Average Base Salary: $98,3175
Director of Project Management

  • A director of project management is a senior-level administrator who will often manage a team of project management professionals, ensuring all active projects are on track, on budget, and within a previously defined scope. They also help define and implement these parameters as projects develop.

    • December 2025 Average Base Salary: $131,8056
Risk Manager

  • A particularly valuable position to the bottom line, risk managers help companies evaluate and avoid risk while undertaking projects and delivering work. Analyzing trends, cost projections, and other statistical data, risk managers protect budgets and ensure a smooth process from planning through execution.

    • 2026 Average Base Salary: $100,4647

Prepare for PMP® Certification

This 36-credit, 24-month online degree, which is aligned with the PMI Guide’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), will help you prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) exam to become a certified PMP. You’ll gain the practical knowledge to add new value to your current role as you expand your leadership skills and broaden your horizons.

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), professionals with Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification earn a 23 percent higher average salary compared to those without PMP® certification3.

Learn More

Career Services

Career Services can assist with any phase of career development:

  • Career Exploration & Self-Assessments – Tools to discover interests and strengths
  • Resume & Cover Letter Support – Templates and expert guidance
  • Interview Preparation – Practice and strategy development
  • Job & Internship Search – Handshake and career resources
  • Networking & Mentorship – Events and professional connections
  • Graduate School Guidance – Application and essay support
  • Job Offer Evaluation & Negotiation – Decision and negotiation tools

Program Outcomes

As the field of project management continues to evolve and grow in importance, the demand for versatile leaders who can adapt to the needs of an increasingly global and virtual world will grow with it. At Saint Mary’s, we’ll help prepare you to meet this demand, teaching you how to:

  • Plan and manage complex projects using industry technologies and tools
  • Employ recognized project management principles and best practices
  • Manage and incorporate change through the project lifecycle
  • Address the cross-cultural, social, and political challenges of international projects
  • Effectively lead and understand diverse groups and populations
  • Incorporate an ethical perspective in all communications and professional activities
View all Program Outcomes

Get Started Now

Request more information to learn more about Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s online programs. An enrollment counselor will contact you shortly to share more information and answer your questions. When you’re ready, you can click Apply Now to start your online application.

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Sources

  1. PMI. “Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap 2017–2027.” Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org/learning/careers/job-growth.
  2. PMI. “Latest Findings Show Project Management Professionals in High Demand as Industry Job Growth Accelerates.” May 15, 2017. Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org/about/press-media/press-releases/latest-findings-show-project-management-professionals-in-high-demand.
  3. PMI. “Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey 10th Edition.” 2017. Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/learning/salary-survey-10th-edition.pdf?la=en.
  4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Construction Managers.” May 2024. Retrieved on December 4, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm#tab5.
  5. Payscale. “Average Project Manager, Information Technology (IT) Salary.” 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Project_Manager%2C_Information_Technology_(IT)/Salary.
  6. Payscale. “Average Project Management Director Salary.” 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Project_Management_Director/Salary.
  7. Payscale. “Average Risk Manager Salary.” 202. Retrieved on January 5, 2026, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Risk_Manager/Salary.