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

What is a youth program manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Tamara Tranter,

Dr. Daryl Green

Youth program managers are in charge of the different aspects of youth development, most specifically in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of youth programs and projects in the community.

They can work in a local government unit or a non-government organization. They will assess the needs of the youth in the community, research various youth programs being implemented in other areas, and develop project plans based on the data they have gathered.

The main qualifications for this job are a bachelor's degree in education, social work, psychology, or related fields, and at least five years of experience serving in school or youth organizations. It is also preferred that they are knowledgeable about the political and cultural context of the community that they will be working at.

To be an effective youth program manager, candidates are expected to have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, supervisory experience, and research skills. A public speaking experience may also be preferred.

What general advice would you give to a Youth Program Manager?

Tamara Tranter

Senior Director, The USA Hockey Foundation

Take risks, go outside of your comfort zone, and don't go into interviews with big expectations. Many qualified people have been impacted and are going to get many of the jobs because they have past experience. So be realistic, be positive, and be a team player.

ScoreYouth Program ManagerUS Average

Salary

4.2

Avg. Salary $53,856

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

9.7

Growth Rate 12%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.88%

Asian 5.18%

Black or African American 11.79%

Hispanic or Latino 14.52%

Unknown 5.39%

White 62.23%

Gender

female 56.84%

male 43.16%

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

9.7

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.8

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.0

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

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Key steps to become a youth program manager

Explore youth program manager education requirements

Most common youth program manager degrees

Bachelor's

58.6 %

Master's

15.4 %

Associate

12.2 %

Start to develop specific youth program manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Youth Program	13.57%
Youth Development	11.43%
Social Work	8.20%
Community Outreach	7.38%
Kids	7.18%

Complete relevant youth program manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New youth program managers 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 youth program manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real youth program manager resumes.

Research youth program manager duties and responsibilities

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Make verbal and written reports weekly, quarterly, annually and attend client's ISP meetings.
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Prepare your youth program manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your youth program manager 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 youth program manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

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Apply for youth program manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a youth program manager 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 youth program managers rate their job?

-/5

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Youth Program Manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020

Pros

Project concept, execution - meeting business and Customer expectations.

Cons

Enjoy all aspects.