What is a project planner and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

A project planner will develop and manage schedules, goals, and objectives for projects. The planning, coordination, and monitoring of activities of assigned projects to develop and implement procedures will be done by you. In addition, you will recommend and implement modifications to improve effectiveness and attain project goals. Similarly, you will educate employees in methods to ensure project continuity and completeness while overseeing projects and risk management plans. In addition, you will make sure you keep stakeholders informed of project timelines and deadlines. Lastly, you will document the project planning processes and maintain records that can be referred to later.

A bachelor's degree in project management or a related field is required for the post of project planner. Professional certification in project management will be an added advantage for the post. You must have an in-depth knowledge of the industry's scope of projects. Excellent organizational, time-management, and communication skills are required for the post. You will earn an average of $90,966 a year.

ScoreProject PlannerUS Average
Salary
6.8

Avg. Salary $86,926

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.8

Growth Rate -3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.53%

Asian 7.04%

Black or African American 10.28%

Hispanic or Latino 16.93%

Unknown 4.95%

White 60.28%

Gender

female 34.91%

male 65.09%

Age - 45
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 - 45
Stress Level
7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
5.3

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
3.9

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Project Planner career paths

Key steps to become a project planner

  1. Explore project planner education requirements

    Most common project planner degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.9 %

    Master's

    15.3 %

    Associate

    12.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific project planner skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Project Management20.05%
    Project Planning7.91%
    Microsoft Project4.26%
    Project Scope4.19%
    Primavera P64.05%
  3. Complete relevant project planner training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New project planners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a project planner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real project planner resumes.
  4. Gain additional project planner certifications

    Project planner certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific project planner certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for project planners include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Master Project Manager (MPM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research project planner duties and responsibilities

    • Utilize SharePoint and manage content to display and capture progress report information.
    • Manage logistics of all facets of the transition from housing, moving, inter-service agreements and education.
    • Manage event day logistics, including staging, set-up and strike; adherence to event schedule, and guest hospitality.
    • Follow EPC projects from the engineering office to the construction site to manage the execution and performance of the construction effort.
  6. Prepare your project planner resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your project 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 project 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 Project Planner Resume templates

    Build a professional Project 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 Project Planner resume.
    Project Planner Resume
    Project Planner Resume
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    Project Planner Resume
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    Project Planner Resume
    Project Planner Resume
    Project Planner Resume
  7. Apply for project planner jobs

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

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

How Did You Land Your First Project Planner Job

Zippi

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Average project planner salary

The average Project Planner salary in the United States is $86,926 per year or $42 per hour. Project planner salaries range between $63,000 and $118,000 per year.

Average Project Planner Salary
$86,926 Yearly
$41.79 hourly

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How do project planners rate their job?

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Project Planner reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Because you will know able equipment and know the planning produce,system like SAP or A/N, PO, PR and SES PROCESS

Cons

Are love the short and long time plant, it make you know so many process in that. thanks


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Cons

If people don't do their work properly


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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Cons

Above 50% Travel can be distracting and I’ll prefer to travel less


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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