How To Become A Program Planner: What It Is and Career Path

What is a program planner and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Connie Ozawa Ph.D.

Do you know how to set goals and develop a plan to reach these goals? If so, you'll probably make the perfect program planner. As a program planner, you'll analyze the company's overall goals and use that information to develop strategies or manage specific programs that help advance those goals. Many times, you'll be asked to oversee operating budgets, manage project scheduling, and identify areas for improvement. To succeed at your job, you'll need to find ways to streamline workflows while improving the quality and efficacy of programs.

You may also be tasked with implementing processes, training, and tools in support of program planning. You'll also likely be asked by your leadership to provide status reports, track metrics, and make presentations on how you are achieving the company goals. To become a program planner, you'll need excellent organizational, communication, and multi-tasking skills. Qualifications for this career typically include a Bachelor's degree in business administration and prior experience in a relevant role.

What general advice would you give to a Program Planner?

Connie Ozawa Ph.D.

MUS and PhD Program Coordinator, Portland State University

Think about what impact you want to have on your community, and then be open about what job titles might help you to achieve it. Planning graduates successfully obtain jobs at public agencies, non-profit organizations, and private planning firms at the local, state, regional, and federal level. Treat your first job as your first - you may stay there the rest of your working life, or you may move on after a year. Don't hold out for the "perfect job." With a positive attitude and a spirit of inquiry and discovery, you'll learn through doing the work what excites you and the type of colleagues and organizations that will provide the most fulfilling environment for you.

ScoreProgram PlannerUS Average

Salary

5.1

Avg. Salary $64,782

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.1

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.79%

Asian 9.52%

Black or African American 4.83%

Hispanic or Latino 12.67%

Unknown 4.68%

White 67.50%

Gender

female 51.81%

male 48.19%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress Level

7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

10.0

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.3

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a program planner

Explore program planner education requirements

Most common program planner degrees

Bachelor's

69.2 %

Master's

19.2 %

Associate

7.5 %

Start to develop specific program planner skills

Skills	Percentages
Program Planning	11.79%
Program Management	10.09%
Master Schedule	9.07%
Microsoft Project	8.61%
Earned Value Management	7.56%

Research program planner duties and responsibilities

Create and manage integrated master project plans with detail WBS structures.
Manage part parameters in order to run MRP effectively to maintain a continuous supply chain at the targeted inventory levels.
Display excellent leadership skills in directing the performance of the IPT leads and integrate program level performance for program monthly reviews.
Conduct intensive interfacing with engineering and IPT leads to analyze complex schedules and develop viable action plans for scheduling risk mitigation.

Prepare your program planner resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your program planner resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a program planner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Program Planner Resume templates

Build a professional Program Planner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Program Planner resume.

Apply for program planner jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a program planner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do program planners rate their job?