Project Manager’s Salary and Job Description

If you’re super organized, love to work with a team and have a knack for detail, you could thrive in a career as a project manager. 

Project managers are the point of contact and information hub in an organization. They help manage and monitor a portfolio of projects and ensure timelines are being met. Each day is different as a project manager which is one thing that makes the role so great. 

We’ll tell you what a project manager salary and job description look like and go over the training and certification you can pursue to help you advance your career. But first, let’s go back to the basics. 

 

What is a project manager’s job description? 

Since there are project managers in all sorts of industries, it’s hard to provide an exact job description that matches every project manager’s role perfectly. While their day-to-day tasks may vary given the industry they work in, there are some responsibilities that are universal across most project manager positions. 

 

1. Plan the project

Before project work can start, project managers have to plan the timeline and structure of a project. They must ensure the project goals align with the strategy, determine the finances and resources needed and ultimately make sure the scope of the project is realistic. 

 

2. Assemble a team 

If there’s work to do, there has to be a team to do it. Project managers will form and oversee a team of coworkers and assign them each specific tasks and deadlines. The project manager will check in regularly for status updates and support their team when needed. 

 

3. Monitor progress

This is arguably the largest part of a project manager’s job. They’re responsible for knowing which stage their projects are at and ensuring their team is meeting deadlines. 

 

4. Communicate with the client

Along with communicating with their team, the project manager will also communicate regularly with their client to update them on the project. They want to make the client happy so it’s important to provide updates and relay any useful feedback to their team. Quality assurance is a large part of a project manager’s job—it’s mainly up to them to ensure the client is satisfied with the work that’s being delivered.

 

5. Report results

Once a project is complete, it’s up to the project manager to document all necessary paperwork and ensure materials have been signed off and closed. The project manager will also report back to their team on the project’s success and speak to anything that could be improved for next time. 

No matter if they work in marketing, information technology or construction, project managers will likely have these similar responsibilities. 

 

What is a project manager’s career progression? 

If you’re interested in project management, there are plenty of opportunities to advance your career and grow your skills. 

 

Here is the career path you could take as a project manager, from entry level to executive positions: 

• Project Coordinator
  The project coordinator typically supports the project manager. They help schedule projects, resources and meetings as well as complete administrative tasks. Usually the project coordinator also plays a part in ensuring deadlines are being met and team members are on track with their tasks.
• Assistant Project Manager
  The assistant project manager takes on a bit more responsibility and may even own smaller portions of large projects. They get to attend meetings and schedule work with other teammates. They’ll also update the project manager regularly on the project’s progress. 
• Project Manager
  Project managers oversee the entire project from planning, executing and monitoring to closing. They are responsible for a team and communicate regularly with the client. 
• Senior Project Manager
  The senior project manager typically oversees multiple projects and leads multiple teams of project managers and assistants. 
• Project Director
  The project director manages projects at the strategic level. Before a project is even passed down to a project manager, the project director will work with the client and evaluate the strategic objectives of the project. They are in charge of the high-level planning and coaching the projects team. 

If you want even more responsibility, there may be potential to move into VP of Project Management or Chief Operating Officer roles if you have over 10 years of experience in project management. 

What is a project manager’s salary?

According to job search engine neuvoo, the average project manager salary in Canada is just over $91,500 per year. Entry-level positions typically start around $47,500 per year, whereas executive level project managers can make upwards of $155,000 per year. Like any job, your salary depends on your skill level, experience and years worked in the field. 

 

Here are the average yearly project manager salaries across the following provinces: 

• British Columbia: $85,000
• Alberta: $94,478
• Saskatchewan: $75,522
• Manitoba: $90,000
• Ontario: $95,000
• Quebec: $78,191
• Prince Edward Island: $65,000
• Nova Scotia: $75,000
• Newfoundland: $193,125
• New Brunswick: $71,455
• Yukon: $94,000
• Nunavut: $92,196

 

There are other job titles that are different from “project manager” but still have similar roles and responsibilities. Similar positions could be account manager, product manager or events manager and you could land these jobs with the same type of education or training. 

For comparison, here are a couple related positions and their average salaries: 

• Senior Project Manager: $117,582
• Program Manager: $87,529
• Product Manager: $84,000
• Account Manager: $62,500

 

How can you become a project manager? 

At Robertson, we offer a 6-week Project Management Online Certificate program which will give you the skills you need to start your career as a project manager. This is a great certificate if you want to advance your career, explore a new career or upgrade your skills. 

Our program is 100% online and accessible 24/7 and you’ll still have the opportunity to communicate with instructors and students through online discussion boards. The program will teach you the skills you need to plan, execute, monitor and close a project by implementing a project management plan.

You’ll also learn valuable skills that could help you gain a formal accreditation with the Project Management Institute (PMI). You can take the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam—having this certificate can help you advance your career as it recognizes a global standard in project management. It will help differentiate you as an employee and set you apart from the competition. 

 

Project managers are in high demand across Canada. Without them, businesses would be disorganized, work wouldn’t get done and ultimately, it would be chaos. Project management is a rewarding and exciting career if you enjoy working with others, seeing results and have excellent time management and organizational skills. 

If you want to start your career journey as a project manager, visit our program page and apply today!