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Top 5 Project Management Job Sectors for Advanced Degree Holders

If you’re deciding how to use your graduate education to advance your project management career, consider these options.

Project managers take a strategic approach to optimizing business results, which requires them to successfully manage a variety of initiatives in a cross-functional environment. By applying traditional management tools and technical project management practices, someone with advanced project management skills can make important contributions to an organization.

Credentials for a project manager usually come in the form of an MS in Project Management, a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Project Management, or a Graduate Certificate in Applied Project Management. The demand has remained steady for talented individuals who have completed this level of education, even in an uncertain economy. We’ve identified five of the best business sectors for project management professionals.¹

1. Management and Professional Services
2. Manufacturing
3. Finance and Insurance
4. Information Services and Publishing
5. Construction

Salaries for Project Managers

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI®), the median annual salary for a project manager in 2013 was $112,000.² However, for those seeking careers with a project management degree, it’s good to know that 10 countries were specifically recognized for their higher median salaries:²

1.	Switzerland	$130,966
2.	United States	$112,000
3.	Australia	$108,593
4.	Germany	$88,449
5.	Netherlands	$86,292
6.	United Arab Emirates	$84,930
7.	New Zealand	$84,480
8.	Qatar	$82,314
9.	United Kingdom	$81,227
10.	Belgium	$78,035

Choosing Between Project Management Degree Programs

If you’re interested in earning a project management degree online, Walden University offers graduate-level programs that can help advance your career. Explore the MS in Project Management program, which is accredited by the Global Accreditation Center (GAC) of the Project Management Institute (PMI)®, or our Graduate Certificate in Advanced Project Management and Graduate Certificate in Applied Project Management programs. Earn your degree or certificate in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: https://www.pmi.org/about/press-media/press-releases/latest-findings-show-project-management-professionals-in-high-demand
²Source: https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/learning/salary-survey-10th-edition.pdf

Walden University’s MS in Project Management program is accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI)® Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC). PMI GAC accreditation is the gold standard for excellence in project management education, affirming that Walden’s curriculum meets rigorous quality standards established by the GAC.

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.