How to Quit Your Job Gracefully (and Leave on Good Terms)
October 23, 2025
Share this post:
Breaking into project management, or transitioning from another career, can be both exciting and overwhelming. The good news? Project management is one of the most versatile professions out there. Nearly every industry needs professionals who plan, organize, and deliver results. Even better, some fields offer significant earning potential for those with the right skills. Below, dive deeper into the fundamentals of the role, factors that influence salaries, and the top-paying fields for project managers.
Project managers serve as the bridge between strategy and execution. Most openings require a bachelor’s degree in project management or a related field, though some positions, especially for entry-level job seekers, don’t require a degree. Their primary responsibility is ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and aligned with organizational goals. Common functions include planning project timelines, managing resources, communicating with stakeholders, and monitoring progress.
A typical salary range for entry-level project managers is around $60,000–$75,000 annually, while mid-career professionals average $85,000 to over $110,000. Senior project managers with certifications and experience may even reach upward of $196,500, depending on the industry.
However, not all industries compensate project managers equally. Salaries are often higher in fields with complex technical requirements, strict regulations, or rapid innovation.
IT is a leading sector for project managers. As organizations digitize operations and roll out software solutions, project managers are needed to keep initiatives on time and within budget. Roles often include leading agile development teams, managing cloud migrations, or overseeing cybersecurity projects.
Average salaries: IT project managers can earn between $90,000 and $130,000+, with salaries climbing higher in specialized areas like cybersecurity or AI.
Job outlook: The IT sector is looking at an increase of 25 million new project professionals by 2030.
Construction project managers oversee large-scale projects like commercial buildings, infrastructure, or residential developments. Engineering project managers often coordinate across technical teams, vendors, and regulatory bodies.
Average Salaries: $80,000–$120,000, with senior-level roles often exceeding $150,000.
Job outlook: Project management in construction is projected to have over 41 thousand job openings each year for the next decade.
Project management in healthcare is booming, from implementing new electronic health record systems to coordinating clinical trials. The complexity of compliance and patient safety makes this field both challenging and rewarding.
Average Salaries: $85,000–$125,000, with pharmaceutical project managers often on the higher end.
Job outlook: Healthcare project managers have a strong positive outlook with a projected growth of 23% from 2024 to 2034.
Financial institutions rely on project managers to lead initiatives around digital banking, regulatory compliance, and new financial products. Change management and risk analysis are especially important in this industry.
Average Salaries: $90,000 – $135,000.
Job outlook: For financial project managers, 75 thousand openings a year for the next decade are expected.
Management consulting firms often employ project managers to oversee client engagements. This field allows exposure to multiple industries, making it ideal for career changers who want to leverage diverse experience.
Average Salaries: $95,000 – $140,000+, with significant bonuses tied to performance.
Job outlook: On a global scale, consulting and professional services project management roles are expected to grow by 33% through 2027.
From renewable energy projects to traditional oil and gas operations, project managers in energy ensure initiatives meet regulatory standards, safety requirements, and environmental concerns.
Average Salaries: $85,000–$125,000.
Job outlook: The growth rate for project managers in the utilities and energy industry is expected to increase by 12.7% from 2019 to 2030.
For professionals just starting out, industries like IT, healthcare, and construction often present the most accessible opportunities. These fields regularly launch new projects, creating openings for coordinators or junior project managers to step in. For instance, IT companies may hire project coordinators to assist with software development sprints, while healthcare organizations might bring on junior staff to help with electronic health record implementation. Construction firms also often find themselves in need of assistant project managers to support larger builds.
Demonstrating skills, such as scheduling, documentation, or team support, is the key to entering these industries as a project manager. Even without prior experience in specific project management roles, showing reliability, organizational ability, and a willingness to learn can help new professionals break into these fields.
Career changers can leverage existing skills to transition into project management, given that many are common across roles in operations, marketing, customer service, or even engineering. Some current responsibilities and experiences can even be role requirements if applied in the right light on a resume or during an interview.
To stand out, emphasize transferable skills and relatable experience in the industry you’re aiming to enter, whether the same or new. For example, if you coordinated marketing campaigns, highlight your ability to manage schedules and cross-functional teams. If you worked in operations, showcase your experience with process improvements and cost management. For some project management roles, it’s more about the craft than the industry.
Pairing experience and skills with education and licenses never hurts. Consider investing in certifications such as CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) or PMP, which can provide credibility and make your transition smoother.
Networking is another valuable strategy. Joining professional associations like PMI (Project Management Institute) or attending industry meetups can connect you with opportunities and mentors who’ve made similar transitions.
The demand for project managers is strong and growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers will need nearly 78,200 project management roles filled worldwide each year on average over the upcoming decade. This growth is fueled by industries adopting new technologies, expanding global operations, and navigating complex regulatory environments.
This outlook makes project management a secure and future-proof career. Fields like IT, healthcare, and renewable energy are especially poised for growth, offering both job stability and lucrative compensation. For those entering the profession now, the expanding need means opportunities to grow into senior roles faster than in more saturated fields.
Project management is not only a versatile career choice but also a lucrative one. Whether you’re just entering the job market or pivoting from another profession, your skills can transfer into industries that reward leadership, organization, and execution. The right move today could put you on track to join the ranks of top-earning project managers tomorrow.
Whichever move you make, be sure to take your career progression seriously and plan for long-term success with tips from gpac’s Knowledge Center.
Certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional), PRINCE2, or Agile Scrum Master can significantly boost your earning potential. However, many employers value proven leadership and organizational skills just as much as certifications.
Fields such as IT, consulting, and finance tend to pay the most because they involve complex, high-stakes projects with large budgets. Specialized areas like cybersecurity, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy also offer some of the highest salaries.
Yes. Many mid-to-senior level project managers earn well into the six figures, particularly in industries like IT, consulting, and healthcare. Achieving six figures typically requires several years of experience, certification, and the ability to manage large-scale projects.
Consulting and IT often top the list, with finance and pharmaceuticals close behind. These fields demand specialized expertise and offer high compensation for those who can deliver results under pressure.
Absolutely. Even entry-level salaries are competitive compared to many other professions, and career progression can quickly lead to substantial pay increases. With strong demand across industries, project management remains a financially rewarding career choice.
Contributed by Mary Dominguez
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO FIND?
