Career change to project management
O*NET uses “Project Manager” as a job title most often in these two occupations. Together they employ 1,066,670 people (BLS, May 2025). Below: the jobs whose skills carry over best, what you need to get in, and pay.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0, BLS OEWS May 2025 and BLS CPS 2025 · How we match careers
- Median pay, Project Management Specialists
- $102,320
- Usual preparation
- A bachelor's degree
- Workers 45 or older
- 44%
- Careers on this page
- 2
The best jobs to switch from
Jobs whose skills carry over best into these careers, by our career-change match score, with the skills people in that job usually need to build.
| If you are now… | Best match | Match | Your median pay now | Skills to build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Continuity Planners | Information Technology Project Managers | 92% | $83,050Broader BLS group | Management of Personnel Resources, Time Management, Management of Material Resources |
| General and Operations Managers | Project Management Specialists | 90% | $105,770 | Programming, Technology Design |
| Management Analysts | Information Technology Project Managers | 90% | $101,860 | Management of Personnel Resources, Management of Material Resources, Management of Financial Resources |
| Administrative Services Managers | Project Management Specialists | 88% | $114,130 | Programming, Technology Design, Systems Evaluation |
| Media Programming Directors | Information Technology Project Managers | 87% | $90,360Broader BLS group | Programming, Systems Analysis, Technology Design |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | Project Management Specialists | 85% | $107,230 | None big |
| Treasurers and Controllers | Project Management Specialists | 85% | $166,570Broader BLS group | Quality Control Analysis, Troubleshooting, Service Orientation |
| Logisticians | Information Technology Project Managers | 84% | $82,320 | Management of Personnel Resources, Time Management, Troubleshooting |
| Supply Chain Managers | Project Management Specialists | 84% | $107,230Broader BLS group | Programming |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | Project Management Specialists | 83% | $141,900Broader BLS group | Management of Material Resources, Management of Financial Resources, Quality Control Analysis |
| Budget Analysts | Project Management Specialists | 82% | $91,640 | Management of Material Resources, Quality Control Analysis, Management of Personnel Resources |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | Project Management Specialists | 82% | $69,500 | Management of Financial Resources, Technology Design, Management of Material Resources |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | Information Technology Project Managers | 80% | $123,860 | Quality Control Analysis, Operations Monitoring, Programming |
| Sustainability Specialists | Information Technology Project Managers | 80% | $83,050Broader BLS group | Management of Material Resources, Management of Financial Resources, Management of Personnel Resources |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | Information Technology Project Managers | 79% | $78,210 | Management of Material Resources, Management of Financial Resources, Quality Control Analysis |
Skills to build: skills that are at least 0.25 points more important in the new career (O*NET 31.0 importance, 1–5). How we match careers
What you need to get in
Education (Project Management Specialists)
O*NET does not publish an education breakdown for this career.
Usual preparation: A bachelor's degree (O*NET 31.0 Job Zone). Most common on-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
The careers on this page
| Career | Median pay | U.S. jobs | Usual preparation | Workers 45+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialists | $102,320 | 1,066,670 | A bachelor's degree | 44% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $116,580Broader BLS group | — | A bachelor's degree | 45% |
Similar careers to consider
The careers most like project management specialists by skills and daily work (O*NET 31.0).
- Purchasing Managers84% similar · $148,080 · A bachelor's degree
- Compensation and Benefits Managers83% similar · $149,230 · A bachelor's degree
- Administrative Services Managers83% similar · $114,130 · 1–2 years (training or associate)
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers83% similar · $69,500 · 1–2 years (training or associate)
- General and Operations Managers83% similar · $105,770 · A bachelor's degree
- Medical and Health Services Managers83% similar · $123,860 · A bachelor's degree
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Questions about switching to project management
What jobs make it easiest to switch to project management?
By our skill match, people working as Business Continuity Planners (92%), General and Operations Managers (90%) and Management Analysts (90%) have the most transferable experience.
What education do you need for project management?
Usual preparation for project management specialists: a bachelor's degree (O*NET 31.0 Job Zone).
Is it too late to switch to project management at 40?
44% of project management specialists are 45 or older and their median age is 43.6 (BLS Current Population Survey, 2025).
How much do project management specialists make?
The national median is $102,320 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Highest-paying states: Washington ($124,160), New Jersey ($122,980), Delaware ($122,190).