Project Management career : Paths, Opportunities & Earnings

A project manager will always have a dynamic and multifaceted career in every industry. There are continuous opportunities for growth. The career path in project management starts from being an associate to managing one project to multiple, and finally heading to the C-Suite level. 

The project manager responsibilities revolve around planning, executing, and completing projects with a determined budget, time, and scope. Their skills overlap with framework-based technical and industry-specific proficiencies and leadership qualities. 

In a project management career, qualifications and experience matter. PM certifications from PMI and Axelos are popular worldwide. Project management courses that lead to such certifications boost credibility and open up more relevant opportunities in transformative and disruptive business environments. 

Project Management Career: Fresher to Senior Roles

Breaking into a successful project management career requires some strategic steps. You could find an overview of project management to get a hang of it. 

Coursework for certifications and real-world application of learned methodologies are useful for both beginners and intermediates. 

But, it is not a rule to earn certifications to be considered as a project manager. Many find their start with basic project management responsibilities that they learn or are exposed to in their jobs. 

Have a look at the career projection below. We have outlined some important certifications for each experience level too. 

Entry-Level Project Management Career

The beginner level career starts with roles such as Project Coordinator and Project Associate. 

The CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) certification from PMI is the most popular. You gain skills in cost and budgeting, what project lifecycles comprise, and how you can manage stakeholders. 

If you earn this certification after passing the official exam, you can prepare for the project coordinator interview questions too. 

Intermediate Project Management Career

With a few years of experience (at least three), you can move on to a full-fledged project manager role. 

All in all, as a project manager you will have to learn to practice leadership, promote quality, data-centricity, and adaptability besides being technically proficient in your business area. Read up on project manager roles and responsibilities in more detail.

Consider the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification from PMI as your ticket to high-paying project manager job opportunities anywhere in the globe. 

To prepare, find some PMP courses that help you prepare for the official exam. This is a 3-year renewable certification that highlights your relevance in the changing industry trends. 

You can find industry specific project manager roles with this certification. You can be 

1. IT Project Manager
2. Healthcare Project Manager
3. Construction Project Manager

or similar

Senior Project Management Career

At the senior level, one generally has the Program Manager designation. This profile is responsible for driving an organisation ahead with strategic goals in place. The professional will have to handle multiple projects. 

Find more on program manager roles and responsibilities. 

Ideally, PMI’s Program Management Professional (PgPM) certificate will help. This certification testifies that you are an excellent coordinator across projects that are executed parallelly. At least, seven years of program management experience is also required. 

But, there are other certifications in advanced areas of Six Sigma. Some Black Belt certifications are good for becoming a Program Manager. 

Highest Paid Project Management Jobs in India

Since you now have an idea of the project management career trajectory, here are some of the top paying jobs. You will find some overlapping responsibilities. 

Project Management Role	Core Responsibilities	Average Annual Salary
Project Coordinator	Assist in project planning, track progress, manage documentation and stakeholders	INR 5 LPA
Project Management Specialist	Develop project plans, track performance, collaborate with teams	INR 8 LPA
Project Manager	Plan, execute, and oversee projects, manage timelines and resources, communicate with stakeholders	INR 12 LPA
IT Project Manager	Oversee IT projects, manage budgets and teams, liaise with stakeholders	INR 14 LPA
Construction Project Manager	Plan and supervise construction projects, coordinate with contractors, ensure safety compliance	INR 16 LPA
Healthcare Project Manager	Manage healthcare projects, coordinate with teams, ensure regulatory compliance	INR 13 LPA
Program Manager	Oversee multiple projects, manage resources, mentor project managers	INR 20 LPA

Following are the most popular Project Management Colleges in India. Learn more about these Project Management colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the most popular Project Management courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in Project Management.

Following are the most popular Project Management UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Project Management PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Project Management Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Following are the top exams for Project Management. Students interested in pursuing a career on Project Management, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.