How to Become a Technical Project Manager?
Are you thinking of becoming a Technical Project Manager or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Technical Project Manager, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Technical Project Manager job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become a Technical Project Manager
If you're considering starting your Technical Project Manager career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Technical Project Manager and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Technical Project Manager career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Technical Project Manager career path, a Bachelor's Degree in computer science or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Technical Project Manager internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become a Technical Project Manager?
85% of people working as a Technical Project Manager earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be a Technical Project Manager?
- Agile Methodologies
- Agile Scrum
- PMP
- Excellent Communication
- Deliverables
- Leadership
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Written Communication
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Technical Project Manager, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Technical Project Manager field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Technical Project Manager specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as a Technical Project Manager
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in computer science or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Technical Project Manager. In general, you can become a Technical Project Manager after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Technical Project Manager role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified scrum master.4
Advance in Your Technical Project Manager Career
Following entry-level, there are several Technical Project Manager career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Technical Project Manager to progress to the senior technical project manager position. Each advanced Technical Project Manager position requires approximately 5 years of experience at each level to advance in your Technical Project Manager career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Technical Project Manager career path.5
Continued Education for Your Technical Project Manager Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Technical Project Manager career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in computer science can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $151,459 compared to $77,491 for those without that type of degree.Technical Project Manager Career Path
Technical Project Manager
5 - 7Years of Experience
$108K - $183K /yrMost Likely Range
35% advanced to
Senior Technical Project Manager
2 - 4Years of Experience
$124K - $209K /yrMost Likely Range
Technical Project Manager IV
5 - 7Years of Experience
$108K - $179K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
Technical Project Manager Career Path
Technical Project Manager I
Technical Project Manager
Senior Technical Project Manager
Technical Project Manager Manager
Technical Project Manager IV
Principal Technical Project Manager
Director of Technical Project Management
Vice President of Technical Project Management
$80K
$124K
$168K
$212K
$300K
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Related Careers in the Product & Project Management Industry
Interested in other Product & Project Management careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Technical Project Manager skills. Discover some of the most common Technical Project Manager career transitions, along with skills overlap.