How much does a project manager make a year?
There is no doubt that a career in project management is a wise choice. Right now, project managers are in demand in every sector.
If you’re a skilled, certified project manager, you will always find work easily. Great news, but this prompts the logical question, will you be paid well?
In this article, we take a look at the answers to the popular question “how much does a project manager make a year?”.
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In This Article:
A Project Manager Salary Overview
According to Glassdoor.ie, 2020 Project Manager salaries in Dublin average at around €60K per year*.
*based on July 2021 figures
Project Management Institute (PMI)® Salary Survey
The 2020 edition of the PMI’s industry-respected annual salary survey, “Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey — Eleventh Edition” surveyed more than 500 project managers in Ireland.
PMI® reported a median salary of €72, 513 ($85, 829) of those surveyed for the report.
Interestingly, Ireland came in as the 7th highest median salary of the 42 countries surveyed.
In addition, the report states that 72% of the participants surveyed reported that their total compensation (which includes salary, benefits, bonuses etc.) had increased in the 12 months before the survey.
5 Factors Affecting Your Salary
This is an excellent guideline, but it’s worth bearing in mind that it is just that: a guideline.
How much you make as a project manager will depend upon several factors:
- Your experience
- Your training and qualifications
- Your versatility
- Where you are located
- What industry you want to work in
Let's take a closer look at each of these factors...
1. Your Experience
It goes without saying that more experienced project managers have the potential to command a higher salary than those who are new to the role.
Glassdoor reports that senior project managers earn an average of €76K per annum. On the other hand, Glassdoor also notes that “Project Coordinators” (junior to project managers) usually earn around €32K per year.
You can see a solid progression in salary throughout the different levels of expertise and experience here.
2. Your Training and Qualifications
Training is certainly a crucial factor in building a successful project management career.
Along with hands-on experience, it is the most important element in developing your abilities as a capable project manager.
Through training, you’ll gain knowledge and understanding of project management tools and techniques, learn how to avoid common project management pitfalls, and work towards gaining qualifications.
Not all project managers get qualified, but it’s certainly very beneficial for your career if you do opt to achieve a project management certification.
3. Your Versatility
A project manager who can adapt to changing requirements and situations is incredibly valuable to any organisation.
Understanding a range of different project management methodologies, such as Agile and PRINCE2® will add to your appeal.
4. Your Location
The figures reported above from Glassdoor are based on project managers working in the Dublin area.
You may find that figures vary in different geographical locations.
It’s a great idea to do a little research around the kind of salary you could earn in different places.
5. Your Industry
You may be surprised at the variance in project management salaries between different industries.
In Ireland, we’re fortunate to have a wealth of local and multinational organisations across so many different sectors. As with location, doing some sector salary research is very valuable.
We do, however, recommend focusing on sectors that are of interest to you. You’ll gain much more satisfaction from executing projects in industries with challenges and subjects that catch and hold your interest.
Getting Clear About What You Want
As you can see, there are so many factors that affect the salary you can command.
Identifying the salary that you’re aiming for is one step in mapping out your project management career path.
There are other factors to consider:
- What project management methodologies interest you?
- Where do you want to work?
- How much do you want to specialise in project management?
- What project role do you envision for yourself?
We recommend taking some time to find answers to these questions. Use your answers to come up with your action-plan or checklist.
Making Your Salary a Reality
Once you have identified your key priorities for salary and career progression, it’s time to take action towards getting what you want.
Here are our top tips:
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Get reading:
There are so many excellent project management blogs and books available. A little rummaging around the web will turn up some resources that have articles of interest to you.
Sign up for articles and updates from these resources… and read what comes into your inbox. You never know where your next spark of inspiration may come from!
Get training:
Training is your secret weapon in becoming a highly effective project manager. Choose a course that interests you and will provide you with a set of skills you can use immediately.
Our article, “What is the Best Project Management Course?” is a great place to begin researching.
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Get certified:
Add weight to your knowledge with a recognised, respected certification.Most training will lead to certification.
Take the certification you’ll achieve into account when deciding upon a project management course.
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Get connected:
Take yourself seriously as a project manager from the start. Connect with project management events and communities near you. Add your voice to the community and learn from your peers.
The Project Management Institute (PMI)® have an Irish chapter, which is a must-join if you are considering any PMI® certification.
Get experience:
Whether in your existing role, on a voluntary basis, or in a new role, find out how you can begin working on new projects immediately.
You don’t have to run the projects from the outset but can contribute to begin building experience.
Find the Right Training Course to Build Your Skillset
Training and certification are two of the best ways to set yourself on a path to achieving your salary goals. We offer project management courses
and certifications for every stage of your career. Click on any course name below to visit the course webpage and get more details.
QQI Certified Project Management
Practical project management skills + QQI certification (suits all levels).
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PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner Courses
Training, exams, and certification for the widely utilised PRINCE2® framework (suits all levels).
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Project Management Professional (PMP)® Course
Exam preparation for the prestigious PMI® credential (for experienced project managers).
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Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
Exam preparation for a respected PMI® certification (suits all levels).
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Agile Master Certified (SAMCTM)
Gain versatile Agile skills for any environment. Exams, and international certification (suits all levels).
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Scrum Master Certified (SMCTM)
Learn how to perform the role of Scrum Master + international certification (suits all levels).
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Scrum Product Owner Certified (SPOCTM)
Learn how to perform the role of Scrum Product Owner + international certification (suits all levels).
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Tailored Training for Teams
All of our project management courses are available for customised, in-company bookings.
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Get Advice for Your Next Step
There is a lot to think about in this article and on your project management career path.
If you’re unsure about where to begin with training and certification, we can help.
Our training consultants can offer advice specific to your background and goals. You can reach them by calling Freephone 1800 910 810 (Monday – Thursday, 9.00am – 5.30pm and Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm).
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