We analyzed 300 U.S. job openings for project managers in aerospace, healthcare & IT. Here, we reveal what qualifications are required for each sector.

1. Project Manager Jobs 2014
An Analysis of 300 Job Listings
from Aerospace, Healthcare & IT

2. Abstract
We analyzed 300 U.S. job openings for project managers posted in March and
April of 2014—100 each from aerospace, healthcare and IT. Here, we reveal
which sectors have the highest barriers to entry and what qualifications are
required for each. Our key findings show that:
• Aerospace project manager positions have the highest minimum
education and experience requirements.
• Of job listings that indicated a preference for a bachelors
degree, an average of 36 percent from across all three sectors
said they would accept equivalent experience.
• The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is the
most-requested or preferred certification, accounting for 79
percent of all certification mentions.

3. Degree Requirements for Project Manager Positions
Across the 300 listings, 49 percent required a bachelors (BA/BS). Thirty six percent
of jobs that said they preferred a BA/BS would accept equivalent experience.
IT
Healthcare
Aerospace
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
No degree required BA/BS preferred BA/BS required

4. 48%
38%
14%
Certification required
Certification desired
Certification not required
General Project Manager Certification Requirements
Across all sectors, about half of jobs required or preferred some type of project
manager certification. Fourteen percent of jobs required certification.

5. Listings Preferring or Requiring Some Type of Certification
By sector, a project management certification was most often required in IT (19
percent) and healthcare (14 percent).
54% 39%
7%
48%
33%
19%
Certification required
Certification desired
Certification not required
43%
43%
14%
ITHealthcareAerospace

6. PMP Preferred/Required vs. Other Certifications (All Sectors)
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification was the most popular.
Across all sectors, 79 percent that mentioned a single certification listed the PMP.
9%
12%
79%
PMP certification
PMP + other
Other certificates

7. Advanced Degree Requirements for Project Manager Positions
Advanced degrees were seldom listed. Only .7 percent of listings across all sectors
required a MA or MBA, while 17 percent of listings preferred an advanced degree.
IT
Healthcare
Aerospace
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
MA not listed MA Preferred MA Required

8. Years of Project Management Experience Required
Of the sectors, aerospace had the highest barrier to entry. Only 16 percent of
aerospace jobs accepted 0-3 years as the minimum acceptable qualification.
Healthcare
IT
Aerospace
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
0-3 years 4-6 years 7+ years

9. Years of Experience Required: Team Lead Vs. Overall
Across all industries, companies required an average of 4-5 years of project lead
experience and an average of 5-6 years of total industry experience.
Healthcare
IT
Aerospace
0 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10
6.2
5.6
5.1
5.4
4.8
4.5
Project lead experience
Total industry experience

10. Software Advice™ is a trusted resource for software buyers. The company's
website, www.softwareadvice.com, provides detailed reviews, comparisons and
research to help organizations choose the right software. Meanwhile, the company’s
team of software analysts provide free telephone consultations to help each
software buyer identify systems that best fit their needs. In the process, Software
Advice connects software buyers and sellers, generating high-quality opportunities
for software vendors.
@SoftwareAdvice /company/software-advice
@SoftwareAdvice/SoftwareAdvice
Read about our findings in more detail.Read Report