Assistant Project Manager Salary: Your 2025 Guide

When project managers have a large workload, they usually need someone to help. That's where the assistant project manager comes in. They report directly to the project manager and help plan and carry out projects. Many assistant project managers go on to become project managers themselves or advance their careers in other ways, which makes this an opportune role for gaining work experience and honing human and technical skills.

Assistant project managers must be adaptable and have good organisational skills, as assigned tasks can change from moment to moment, depending on the project manager's priorities. The job outlook for anyone who works in project management is positive, and the assistant project manager's salary is competitive, with plenty of room for advancement.

What is an assistant project manager?

As an assistant project manager, you typically report directly to a project manager and help them execute various projects for a company or organisation. You often work with the project manager on projects that are too big or complex for a single person to handle alone.

You might also handle some of the administrative work involved in a project, such as keeping a schedule, focusing on budgets and spending, communicating with stakeholders, and performing other routine duties. You may even take charge of a certain aspect of the project under the project manager's leadership. 

Assistant project managers must possess many skills as the actual project manager, such as interpersonal skills, industry knowledge, problem-solving, attention to detail, and time management.

How much does an assistant project manager make?

According to the most recent Association of Project Management (APM) Salary and Market Trends Survey, the average salary for an assistant project manager is roughly £36,353 [1]. Various job listing sites report that the average pay for assistant project managers ranges from approximately £29,000 to £38,000 per year. This base salary range comes from three different sources as follows:

• Glassdoor: £34,558 per year [2] 

• Talent.com: £31,500 per year [3] 

• Indeed: £38,981 per year [4]

Remember that factors like geographic location, industry, previous experience, education, and any certifications you earn might impact how much you will make as an assistant project manager. 

Education 

If you have a bachelor's degree in project management or a related field, such as marketing or business management, you are on the right track towards a career in project management. According to the APM survey, roughly 80 percent of project management professionals are educated to the degree level and above [1].

High marks in GCSE grades A–C and appropriate A-level qualifications can help set you up for success as you pursue an assistant project manager career. Although not essential, a project management certification or relevant work experience can help you to stand out in the field.

Advanced degrees like a master’s degree can help you earn more over time as you progress in your career in project management. After all, roughly 36 percent of project management professionals hold a master’s degree or postgraduate certificate [1]. If you want to pursue an advanced degree, consider a programme accredited by the APM. You can also choose a programme in a specific area of project management. 

Certification 

Though often optional for this entry-level role, earning certifications in project management can directly impact your salary as an assistant project manager and give you a competitive edge when applying for other project management jobs. 

Common certifications you might consider as an assistant project manager include the PMP certification from The Project Management Institute (PMI), Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) Certification, and PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certificate. These certifications are ideal if you’re entering the profession and want to add project management skills to your current role to move into higher-paying positions. 

Experience

While you don't necessarily need previous experience to become an assistant project manager, the more you have, the easier it will typically be to secure a job and the more money you're likely to make. Take a look at how years of experience could impact your base pay, according to Jobted [5]:

• 0–3 years of experience: £22,800 per year

• 4–9 years of experience: £31,600 per year

• 10–20 years of experience: £37,800 per year

• 20+ years of experience: £40,200 per year

Industry

The industry in which you work can also impact your salary. According to the APM survey, the energy, life sciences, and financial services pay the highest average salaries for this position [1]. More specifically, the average annual salaries for professionals in project management in various industries are as follows: 

• Aerospace: £52,272 

• Arts/entertainment and heritage: £49,643

• Construction and the built environment: £57,754

• Consultancy: £50,984

• Defence: £52,654

• Energy and utilities: £67,038

• Financial services: £72,272

• Health: £47,045

• IT: £47,517

• Life Science: £58,864

• Local government: £45,595

• Manufacturing: £54,379

• Retail and wholesale: £49,167 

• Telecoms: £46,308

• Transport and logistics: £54,203

Location

The geographical region and city where you work can also impact how much you make, with some areas experiencing increases in pay for project managers and others seeing pay stay the same or even decrease. APM reports that London is the highest-paying region in the UK, with 30 percent of project management professionals earning £70,000 or more per year. This is closely followed by the East of England and the South East of England, where 27 percent and 26 percent earn at least £70,000, respectively [1].

Potential assistant project manager career paths 

You might work as an assistant project manager to advance your career to become a project manager or something else in the same field. Working as an associate project manager can be a great way to acquire and hone your skills and gain experience in a specific industry. Once you have some experience, you can go on to more advanced careers or shift to a similar field. Common options include: 

• Project manager: £49,138 per year [6] 

• Senior project manager: £63,639 per year [7] 

• Director of project management: £113,655 per year [8] 

• Vice president of operations: £99,785 per year [9] 

• Chief operating officer (COO): £144,464 per year [10] 

• Program manager: £69,551 per year [11] 

Job outlook

The project management profession is expected to grow as the demand for professionals in these roles grows. The outlook is optimistic in many industries. 

The need for project managers may grow faster in some industries than in others. For example, professional and business services, construction, and information technology may see higher-than-expected growth when comparing the growth rate percentages [12]. 

Getting started in project management with Coursera

Get started as an assistant project manager by enrolling in an online course. Online courses in project management are a great way to demonstrate key skills on your CV. 

If you're considering a career in project management, you can earn your Google Project Management: Professional Certificate on Coursera in just six months and gain job-ready skills. An introductory course can also help you gain a better understanding of the job and help you start honing your skills. You can find several courses on Coursera offered by some of the best schools and businesses in the world. Options include Foundations of Project Management by Google, Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management by the University of Virginia, and Introduction to Project Management by IBM, all offered on Coursera.