Project management has become a strategic discipline. The Project Management Institute (PMI) estimates that employers will need nearly 88 million people in project‑related roles by 2027[1], and the global project management software market is expected to grow from US$7.24 billion in 2025 to US$12.02 billion by 2030[2]. In its world‑of‑work report, monday.com notes that 82 % of companies already use work‑management software[3] and 57 % of employees are using more tools than the previous year[4]. This digital transformation is creating strong demand for project managers who can orchestrate complex initiatives across technology, finance, construction, healthcare and other industries.[5]
PMI’s most recent talent forecast suggests that the world currently employs around 40 million project management professionals and will need 30 million more by 2035[6]. In the United States, there are about 426 229 project managers[7], and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7 % employment growth from 2023–2033 with 77 000 openings each year due to retirements and career changes[8]. The demand gap is also evident in Canada; Dalhousie University’s 2025 spotlight notes that the “demand for skilled project managers is at an all‑time high,” with industries ranging from construction to healthcare relying heavily on project expertise[9]. According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, the labour market for technical project managers is balanced through 2024–2033, with employment of 229 400 in 2023 and moderate to very good job prospects across most provinces.
Salary Outlook: Canada and the U.S.
A key question for aspiring project managers is “How much can I earn?” Recent surveys paint a positive picture:
- United States – Salary data aggregated by Glassdoor and compiled by monday.com show a current salary range of US$104 000–183 000, with a median total pay of US$136 000 and base pay typically between US$69 000 and US$118 000 plus additional pay of US$35 000–65 000[10]. The technology sector is the highest‑paying industry for project managers[11]. Remote work also pays dividends; the Digital Project Manager’s 2025 salary survey found that fully remote U.S. project managers earned about US$109 646, compared with US$92 446 for onsite roles[12].
- Canada – The same survey reported an average project manager salary of CA$105 945 in 2025, slightly lower than CA$106 451 in 2024[13]. Bonuses are less common than in the U.S.; only 39 % of Canadian respondents received a bonus, averaging about CA$9 896[14]. Salary varies by title – project coordinators average about CA$61 000, whereas project directors can earn around CA$195 000[15]. Remote work again commands a premium: remote Canadian PMs earned about CA$116 577, nearly CA$38 000 more than onsite counterparts[16]. Gender gaps persist; the 2025 survey found that women in Canada earned about CA$99 019, while men reported CA$127 000[17].
Both countries show that professional certifications boost earnings. Monday.com reports that 33 % of professionals with a PMP certification have higher median salaries than those without[18], and the Digital Project Manager survey found that certified respondents earned up to US$14 000 more on average[19]. PMI’s earlier talent gap report also noted that PMP‑certified practitioners earn about 20 % more than non‑certified peers[20].
Key Trends Shaping Project Management in 2025
1. Hybrid and Agile Methodologies
Organizations are moving away from rigid waterfall approaches. The Wellingtone project management survey (summarized by monday.com) shows that 31.5 % of companies use a hybrid framework combining predictive and agile practices, up from 20 % in 2020[21]; 24.6 % use purely agile practices, and 43.9 % still rely on predictive models, a share that is steadily declining[22]. Moreover, 73 % of organizations plan to increase their use of hybrid project management in the next five years[23]. Dalhousie University notes that in Canada agile frameworks like Scrum and Kanban dominate, with growing emphasis on adaptive methodologies to respond to rapidly changing business needs[24].
2. Digital Transformation, AI and Automation
Project managers are at the heart of digital transformation initiatives. The Coursera article on 2025 trends highlights that 54 % of PMI survey respondents use generative AI in 16–50 % of their projects, and 20 % use it in more than half of their projects[25]. McKinsey’s 2025 State of AI report (cited by Coursera) notes that organizations are embedding AI into scheduling, reporting and resource allocation processes, automating mundane tasks so PMs can focus on strategy[26]. Dalhousie’s spotlight adds that data‑driven decision‑making and AI tools like ChatGPT are freeing project managers from repetitive tasks, enabling them to concentrate on strategic problem‑solving[27]. Project management software adoption is also accelerating; 82 % of companies use such tools[28], with small businesses 13 % more likely to adopt them than enterprise firms[29].
3. Remote and Hybrid Work
Remote and hybrid work are now the norm. Monday.com’s statistics reveal that 61 % of project management professionals work remotely at least some of the time, but 39 % still work in person five or more days per week[30]. The World Economic Forum expects remote work to increase 25 % globally, reaching 92 million remote workers by 2030[31]. The Digital Project Manager survey shows that fully remote PMs earn more than hybrid or onsite peers[16], reflecting both cost‑of‑living adjustments and the concentration of high‑paying tech jobs in distributed teams[32]. For Canadian PMs, remote work averages CA$116 577, while onsite roles average about CA$78 600[16].
4. Sustainability and ESG Projects
Canadian organizations are prioritizing environmental and social impact. Dalhousie University lists sustainability as a key trend, noting that project managers are increasingly involved in projects with environmental and social impact[33]. Monday.com’s statistics mirror this shift: 48 % of organizations identify Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) projects as a top technology priority in the next two years[34], while 10 % are focused on boosting organizational resilience and sustainability[35].
5. Soft Skills and Human Connection
As projects become more complex and teams more distributed, soft skills matter as much as technical skills. Dalhousie’s spotlight stresses the importance of human connection, highlighting that empathy, active listening and strong communication are crucial for remote and hybrid teams[36]. Coursera’s article echoes this, recommending that PMs build emotional intelligence, communication and stakeholder management skills to thrive in hybrid environments[37].
6. Certifications and Micro‑Credentials
With entry‑level roles shrinking due to AI and automation[38], certifications help candidates stand out. PMI’s research shows that professionals with PMP certification report higher salaries and improved career prospects[18], and the Digital Project Manager survey found that 78 % of certified respondents said certification benefited their career or compensation[39]. Dalhousie University underscores the need for continuous professional development to keep up with emerging technologies[40].
Tools of the Trade: Top Project Management Software in 2025
The rapid adoption of digital tools is shaping how projects are delivered. In its 2025 roundup, The Digital Project Manager identified leading software platforms and the scenarios where they excel:
| Tool (2025 ranking) | Best for | Key advantages |
| Monday.com | Workflow automation[41] | Visual boards, automation rules, integrations; strong adoption (82 % of companies use work‑management software[28]). |
| Wrike | Large projects and scaling[42] | Robust task management, resource planning and enterprise‑grade security. |
| Celoxis | Simplified planning[43] | All‑in‑one platform for scheduling, time tracking and financial management. |
| Smartsheet | Customizable dashboards[44] | Spreadsheet‑like interface with strong reporting and automation. |
| ClickUp | Replacing multiple tools[45] | Combines task management, docs, goals and chat in one app; good for agile teams. |
| Adobe Workfront | Customizable templates[46] | Enterprise project and portfolio management with advanced templates and reporting. |
| Hive | Collaborative PM[47] | Emphasizes real‑time collaboration, chat and flexible views. |
| Resource Guru | Preventing over‑allocation[48] | Helps managers balance workloads and allocate resources effectively. |
Other notable tools include Copper for agencies streamlining sales to delivery[49], Productive for budgeting[50], Bonsai for freelancers[51] and Zoho Projects for teams already using the Zoho suite[52].
Expert Opinions: What Industry Leaders Are Saying
- Project managers are strategic leaders. Dalhousie University notes that the role is evolving toward strategic leadership, requiring strong leadership, ethical behaviour and integration skills[53].
- “Project managers are the backbone of execution.” Yonelly Gutierrez, a senior project manager quoted in the 2025 salary survey, stresses that PMs hold teams together and must be compensated fairly[54]. She encourages PMs—especially women—to advocate for fair pay by negotiating salaries[55].
- Entry‑level roles are harder to find. The Digital Project Manager report points out that AI and automation are eliminating many entry‑level tasks, making it harder to break into the profession[56]. Aspiring PMs often move into the role from adjacent fields, underscoring the need for transferable skills[57].
- Remote PMs earn more. Respondents to the same survey reported significantly higher earnings for fully remote project managers—US$109 646 in the U.S. and CA$116 577 in Canada—compared with onsite roles[16].
How to Position Yourself for a Six‑Figure Project Management Career
1. Build a Strong Foundation
- Master core methodologies. Learn both predictive (waterfall) and agile frameworks and understand when to apply hybrid models. According to Wellingtone, companies using hybrid models increased from 20 % in 2020 to 31.5 % in 2024[21].
- Develop digital fluency. Familiarize yourself with leading tools like monday.com, Wrike, ClickUp and Smartsheet to streamline workflows. The growing market for PM software (projected to reach US$12.02 billion by 2030[2]) means employers expect tool proficiency.
- Cultivate AI and data skills. A majority of PMs are already using generative AI on their projects[25]. Understand how AI can automate scheduling and forecasting[26] and be prepared to interpret data for decision‑making[27].
- Sharpen soft skills. Communication, negotiation, conflict resolution and stakeholder management are essential. Dalhousie emphasizes empathy and active listening[36]; Coursera highlights emotional intelligence and strategic communication[37].
2. Earn Recognized Certifications
Certifications validate your expertise and often lead to higher pay. PMI’s PMP, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI‑ACP) and SAFe certifications remain industry standards. 33 % of PMP holders report higher salaries[18], and certified PMs earn up to US$14 000 more[19]. Micro‑credentials in AI, cybersecurity and digital transformation are increasingly valued[27].
3. Network and Gain Real‑World Experience
With entry‑level PM roles scarce[56], build experience through adjacent roles—business analysis, operations, marketing or software development. Join professional organizations (PMI, IIBA, Scrum Alliance) and attend local chapter events. Leverage LinkedIn and industry meetups to expand your network.
4. Negotiate Strategically
Research salary data for your region (see above) and be prepared to negotiate. Women in particular should advocate for fair compensation[55]. Consider remote roles, which may offer higher pay[16], and explore contracting or freelancing opportunities if they align with your goals.
5. Stay Current with Trends
Subscribe to industry newsletters, follow thought leaders, and continuously learn. Staying on top of ESG priorities[58], cybersecurity and AI will make you more valuable.
Why Our Course Can Help You Land a Six‑Figure Role
If you’re serious about breaking into or advancing in project management, How to Land the Job and Interview for Project Managers is designed to give you a competitive edge. The course covers:
- Resume and LinkedIn optimisation to showcase your skills and quantify project results.
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- Case studies and real‑world practice to build confidence and demonstrate your ability to deliver successful projects.
- Personal branding strategies to establish yourself as a thought leader in the PM space.
The course leverages insights from current market data, ensuring that your skills align with what employers need in 2025 and beyond. Whether you’re transitioning from another field or aiming to level up, this program provides actionable steps to achieve a six‑figure salary and thrive in an increasingly digital, hybrid and agile world.
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