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Information Technology Project Managers

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeHigh pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Plan, initiate, and manage information technology (IT) projects. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. Serve as liaison between business and technical aspects of projects. Plan project stages and assess business implications for each stage. Monitor progress to assure deadlines, standards, and cost targets are met.

Kinds of work

  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $116,580 Median per year · $56.05/hr Most earn $55,940–$188,470

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Submit project deliverables, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
  • Initiate, review, or approve modifications to project plans.
  • Direct or coordinate activities of project personnel.
  • Submit project deliverables, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
  • Monitor or track project milestones and deliverables.
  • Identify, review, or select vendors or consultants to meet project needs.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 27,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Federal government, excluding postal service19.6%
  • Computer systems design and related services16.0%
  • Management of companies and enterprises4.9%
  • Self-employed (their own business)4.9%
  • Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services3.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

IT Project Manager is usually not an entry-level job. Most people start with a bachelor's degree, then spend about 2 to 4 years in a related IT role before moving into project management. Some people reach it sooner in organizations that promote quickly, but plan on several years of experience.

  1. Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or information systems

    4 years

    You learn programming basics, how computer systems work, and how businesses use technology, which gives you the technical base you need to talk with developers and managers.

  2. Computer Systems Analyst

    2-4 years

    You study how a business uses its systems, gather requirements from users, and help match technology to real needs, which builds the business and technical understanding project managers rely on.

  3. IT Project Manager

    Career goal

    You plan project stages, lead technical staff, track deadlines and budgets, and act as the bridge between business leaders and the technical team.

Where it can lead

  1. IT Program Manager

    3-5 years of experience first

    You oversee several related projects at once, set priorities across them, and manage larger budgets and teams, which requires a strong track record of delivering projects on time.

  2. Computer and Information Systems Manager

    3-5 years of experience first

    You lead an entire IT department or function, setting its strategy, managing managers and budgets, and making technology decisions for the organization, which usually requires proven leadership and business results.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math, computer science, and business or economics classesMath builds logic and planning skills, computer science introduces you to how technology works, and business classes help you understand the goals projects serve.
  • Join a coding, robotics, or tech clubWorking in a team on a shared build teaches you how to split up tasks, meet deadlines, and communicate with others, which are core project management skills.
  • Volunteer to lead a group project or school eventTaking charge of a schedule, a budget, or a group of classmates gives you real practice in organizing and tracking work toward a goal.
  • Get a starter job that builds responsibilityA part-time job, such as at a store or cafe, teaches you to manage time, follow processes, and work with a team under deadlines.
  • Try a summer tech or coding program at a local library or collegeHands-on tech practice gives you a clearer sense of whether you enjoy working with technology and teams, and it looks good on future applications.

In college

  • Major in IT, computer science, or information systemsA bachelor's degree in one of these fields is the typical education for this career and gives you the technical foundation to build on.
  • Take courses in project management, business, or communicationThese classes teach planning, budgeting, and stakeholder communication, which are the everyday skills of an IT project manager.
  • Pursue an internship in IT or with a company's technology teamAn internship lets you see how projects run in real organizations and helps you land your first analyst-level job after graduation.
  • Take a campus job that involves coordinating people or systemsRoles like a lab assistant, tech support tech, or student org treasurer give you experience managing tasks, deadlines, and people.
  • Earn an entry-level IT or project management certificationMany certifications for beginners are available through schools and online providers, and they show employers you are serious about the field.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for an IT job that puts you on project teams early, even as a help desk or junior analyst. Hands-on project work is what hiring managers look for.
  • Practice project planning skills by organizing a school club event, team fundraiser, or group assignment with a schedule, budget, and clear roles.
  • Consider learning the basics of a project management method, such as Agile or Waterfall, through free online courses or a campus workshop, so you can talk about it confidently in interviews.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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