What Is a Technical Project Manager?
According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, companies across the country will create more than 50,000 jobs for technical project managers between 2012 and 2022
Clearly, technical project managers are in high demand. But what is a technical project manager, exactly?
A hybrid role encompassing both tech guru and inspiring leader, a technical project manager is instrumental in the planning, scheduling, and management of IT and IT-related projects. Individuals in this role must possess both a high level of technical expertise and the capabilities required for all project managers, including excellent organization, leadership, and communication skills.
The general responsibilities of a technical project manager are the same as a project manager in any field, and include:
- Brainstorming
- Planning the project
- Scheduling and designation of project tasks to team members
- Execution of each phase of the project
- Managing the project’s budget
- Communicating with all stakeholders
- Collaborating with department heads to achieve a common goal
However, technical project managers are specifically tasked with managing projects that contain a high degree of technicality. They must be trained in and understand relevant technologies and architectures to properly support these projects. For example, technical project managers should have expertise in hardware and software installation, upgrades, site maintenance, and, ideally, program and app development. Technical project managers also need to review and validate the feasibility of project proposals. It’s important to note that while tech skills are essential, technical project managers can come from a variety of professional backgrounds.
A balancing act
Balancing the technical prowess required for the role with the soft skills necessary for management and leadership is no small feat. As TechRepublic pointed out, due to their unique combination of hard and soft skills, these professionals can “get straight answers and good work out of employees non-technical project managers would classify as hopeless, negative or uncooperative.”
Technical project managers are also adept at communicating with a non-technical audience. They must be skilled at speaking with representatives from a variety of other departments and understand how to communicate technical requirements in easily-understandable terms. Technical project managers may benefit from qualifications and certifications like:
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- CompTIA Project+ certification
- PRINCE2 Foundation/PRINCE2 Practitioner
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Project manager salaries vary by industry, location, experience, and certifications. On average, IT project managers earn $146,000, construction managers $95,000, and architectural/engineering managers $144,000 annually. PMP-certified professionals typically earn more, ranging from $75,000 for general project managers to over $116,000 for senior IT project managers, reflecting the value of certification and expertise.
Project managers are needed across nearly all industries and company sizes, as they plan, budget, and oversee projects. They are especially in demand in healthcare, construction, and IT, where managing complex projects and coordinating teams is critical. Essentially, organizations rely on project managers to execute projects efficiently and achieve strategic objectives.
Construction project managers earn an average of about $74,923 per year, with salaries varying by experience and location. Entry-level managers make $52–62k, while those with 10–20 years earn around $84k. High-demand cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles offer higher pay, whereas cities such as Atlanta and Charlotte are slightly below the national average.
IT project managers earn an average of $88,982 per year, with salaries varying by experience, location, and certifications. Entry-level PMs make $61–72k, while those with 10–20 years can earn over $103k. High-demand cities like San Francisco, New York, and Boston may offer up to 20% above average, whereas Seattle and Austin typically pay slightly less.

