Information Technology Project Managers
SOC code 15-1299 · O*NET-SOC 15-1299.09 · Considerable preparation needed · Computer and IT
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Information Technology Project Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$116,580
a year
Hourly
$56.05
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$122,230
$58.77 per hour
Middle 50%
$79,370 – $157,500
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$55,940 – $188,470
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
435,370
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Computer Occupations, All Other”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $55,940
- $26.89/hr
- 25th percentile
- $79,370
- $38.16/hr
- Median percentile
- $116,580
- $56.05/hr
- 75th percentile
- $157,500
- $75.72/hr
- 90th percentile
- $188,470
- $90.61/hr
What does an information technology project manager 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Manage project execution to ensure adherence to budget, schedule, and scope.
- Confer with project personnel to identify and resolve problems.
- Monitor or track project milestones and deliverables.
- Submit project deliverables, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
- Assess current or future customer needs and priorities by communicating directly with customers, conducting surveys, or other methods.
- Initiate, review, or approve modifications to project plans.
- Schedule and facilitate meetings related to information technology projects.
- Direct or coordinate activities of project personnel.
How to become an information technology project manager
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 38% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree38%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree24%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate19%
- Post-Secondary Certificate10%
Common questions
How much does an information technology project manager earn?
The national median is $116,580 a year. The full range runs from $55,940 at the 10th percentile to $188,470 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an information technology project manager without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Computers and Electronics4.2/5
- Administration and Management4.0/5
- Engineering and Technology3.6/5
- Economics and Accounting3.4/5
- Administrative3.3/5
- Telecommunications3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Time Management, Management of Personnel Resources, Systems Analysis.