Copyright forbes
Every industry will need project managers by 2035, making this role AI-proof and recession-proof There’s a new wave of leadership roles that will increase in demand over the next few years. These jobs pay $143,000 on average in the U.S. and have strong career potential for salary progression, yet there’s currently a severe shortage of skilled talent. (By comparison, when I last reported in-depth on this in 2023, the average salary was $120,000, up from $115,000 the year before.) By 2035, global demand for project management professionals could spike by 64% according to the Project Management Institute (PMI), the leading body on project and program management. But the talent gap is stark. Up to 30 million new project professionals are needed to meet global demand by 2025, their Talent Gap Report finds. This severe shortage could hinder business growth. Specific industries under pressure include construction, manufacturing, IT services, and healthcare. Yet unfortunately, within the United States and even in Europe, project management professionals are in decline due to aging populations and shifting labor force trends, PMI says. This is your opportunity to build your skills in this area, update your resume with your new skills and certifications, and make yourself indispensable in the job market while directing the delivery and outcomes of projects and programs close to your heart. MORE FOR YOU If this piques your interest, here’s a quick look at the job profile of a project manager: What Is A Project Manager? Project management is a broad term that is often used interchangeably for job titles like program manager, operations manager, head of operations, construction manager, and even scrum master. Regardless of the title, the responsibilities typically involve the same thing: using your organization skills and goal-oriented mindset and combining this with “innovation, creativity, and collaboration to lead projects that make an impact” (taken from PMI’s website definition). You’d be doing things like: Identifying and mitigating project risks Identifying project dependencies Setting and monitoring KPIs and deadlines Ensuring stakeholders and most importantly, end users/participants are happy with the results, while maintaining open communication Ensuring project is delivered successfully in line with goals, and is done on time and within budget Documenting project updates, resources, and progress Leading a project team (this could be direct reports as a line manager, or a team composed of several co-workers and stakeholders that do not directly fall under your line management responsibility but are still accountable to you for the project) How Much Does A Project Manager Make? Average salaries in the U.S. can vary slightly, because again, the term “project manager” is such a broad title, and specific job titles that it encompasses will indicate different average salaries. Salaries will also go up depending on your seniority level (for example a director or department head earns more than the average project manager). However, as a baseline to give you a rough idea of what to expect in the United States (salary information is from Salary.com): Project manager average salary: $146,852 Operations manager average salary: $106,631 Head of delivery average salary: $119,260 Project director average salary: $172,003 Scrum master average salary: $111,835 Program manager average salary: $143,863 What Skills Do I Need To Include In My Resume? For any role in general, the top in-demand skills of 2025 and beyond, according to the World Economic Forum, are: AI and big data Networks and cybersecurity Tech literacy Creative thinking Agility and resilience Curiosity and lifelong learning Leadership skills If you’re intending on applying for a project management job, the skills you need to have on your resume will generally include all of these, but specifically you should include skills like: Collaboration Communication skills Organization skills Problem-solving Critical thinking Adaptability Conflict resolution Project planning Project scoping Project roadmapping Project management software and tools Change management Cost and budget management Project portfolio management How Do I Include These Skills In My Resume? Do not copy and paste this list of skills into your resume and hope they’ll work a magic wand. Instead, try these tips to list these project management and leadership skills on your resume: Include a separate skills highlight section for a specific list of 10-15 skills, including a mix of technical and soft or power skills that reflect how these skills show as keywords in the job description. This section should go right before your work experience section. Provide specific examples of these skills in action, and most importantly, the results that accompanied you putting these skills into action, within the work experience and professional profile sections of your resume. For example, for AI skills you can include a list of AI-powered project management tools that you’re proficient in, or speak to how you’ve implemented AI within your projects. For cost and budget management you can list an achievement as a bullet point, such as “reduced spending/cut costs by 20% while ensuring on-time quality delivery through finding best value suppliers for our budget.” For teamwork skills and leadership you could say something like, “led a team of five direct reports and collaborated remotely with up to up to 10 internal and external stakeholders.” Build a portfolio or list examples of these skills in action in a case-study format. Include a link to this in your resume and on your LinkedIn profile. Employers love to see tangible results. Don’t forget to include relevant certifications, like PMI certificates, Coursera courses (i.e. Google Project Management Professional Certificate), or courses on applied AI and leadership skills. Microcredentials, or career certifications, can boost your hiring odds by as much as 96%, new research shows. Every industry will need project managers by 2035, making this role AI-proof and recession-proof In 2026 and beyond, your resume should look nothing like it did five years ago. Your resume should scream transformation and tangible results. Your skills, evidenced by a portfolio and validated by certifications, are the new passport to six-figure salaries and a fulfilling career. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
