One of the best reasons to get an advanced degree in any field is to increase your earning potential. If you qualify for jobs with higher salaries, it typically means that these jobs will also come attached with more responsibilities, which can mean a more fulfilling career. Everyone wants to go to a job they love every day, and with a masters of science in project management, you can realize that goal.
So what type of salary can you expect with a masters in project management? That depends on a number of factors, least of which is not your job title. Some common types of jobs for which you’ll be qualified once you have your degree include the following:
- Information Technology Project Manager: $85,221
- Construction Project Manager: $76,444
- Manufacturing Project Manager: $100,500
- Senior Project Manager: $94,200
- Management Consulting: $64,623
As you can see, the type of industry in which you work plays a manger role in the salary you can expect. Overall, though, a general project manager can expect to make $46,720 to $79,692 in base salary, up to $8,234 in bonuses, and even more in profit sharing and commissions. Since you’ll have a master’s degree in your field, you can expect to be at the upper end of that scale.
After you get your degree, it is important to also be certified in your field. The type of certification you seek plays a role in the salary you can expect, as some certifications are more difficult to get than others. For example, if you’re a certified professional engineer with a degree in project management, you can expect to make $79,806 to $113,003 per year, while if you have just a regular project management certification, the average salary range is lower, at $51,410 to $88,077 per year.
Where you live also makes a different. In any field, workers willing to live in large cities usually make more money. Some of the top cities for project managers include New York, Houston, Washington DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles. However, in these areas, cost of living is also higher, so you may not be able to save as much as you think. In smaller cities and more rural areas, your salary expectations should be lower, but at the same time, cost of living may also be lower, meaning that the area makes more financial sense for you.
Lastly, the type of employer will drastically affect how much you’ll be paid as a project manager. Like in most fields, the top jobs are with the federal government. Project management positions with the federal government average $61,442 to $93,851 per year across all degrees, so with a master’s degree in the field, you’ll be at the high end of that earning range. Project managers who work for private firms and who are self-employed also typically make more money in this field.
Project managers are relied on to plan and execute projects within a wide variety of industries, including computer networking/IT, construction, software development, telecommunications, and more. Typically, project managers should have at least a four-year bachelor's degree, but employers usually prefer a master's degree (either an MS, MA, or MBA). The schools below all offer accredited online degree programs specializing in project management.
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Southern New Hampshire University is dedicated in providing students with the opportunity for career advancement and lifelong education through their challenging online programs. Their online Project Management MBA is designed to provide comprehensive training on the issues that really matter and prepare students for difficult situations and problems that may arise in the real-world.
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AIU offers an online MBA with a specialization in Project Management that can be completed in 10 months. (Part-time option also available.) This program gives students experience-based education that will accelerate their career opportunities by combining market-relevant business education with real-world applications. There is also a MIT with a specialization in Project Management.
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An MBA in Project Management from Florida Tech University is one of the most flexible programs available. Students can add specializations to their MBAs in Business Management, Information Technology Management or Finance among others. Project Management is a specialization under the MBA program and builds on students competency in project planning and risk management.
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Kaplan University's MS in Project Management, MS in IT/Project Management and Project Management MBA are all online programs that provide rigorous training to help students develop the proficiencies they need to find solutions in real-life business situations. Students will analyze theories and trends of leadership, learn ethics in making strategic business decisions, and learn organizational finance practices.
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An MBA in Project Management from California Intercontinental University is one of the most flexible programs available. Students can add specializations to their MBAs in Business Management, Information Technology Management or Finance among others. Project Management is a specialization under the MBA program and builds on students competency in project planning and risk management.
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Project Management is a specialization under the MBA program at Liberty University. The Project Management specialization teaches critical management skills that will successfully take students through any project life cycle. Students will also learn core business communication skills and sound financial planning.
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Project Management is a specialization available under the MS in Information Technology program and the MBA program at Capella University. This online Project Management master's specialization allows students to earn their MS degrees while getting professional development units (PDUs) at the same time.
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Use the degree finder below, and we'll help you find a management degree program.
Project Management Degree Finder