Project manager salary is an important detail to know about before you make a decision to study project management in Canada. Changes in the business environment have mandated companies to pay closer attention to make their processes more efficient and robust. Many have responded to this need by raising their demand for professionally qualified individuals to lead and manage their processes. This has been a key reason why companies are increasingly ramping up hiring numbers of project managers.
A study by the Project Management Institute states that over ten years (2017-2027), notes that the demand for qualified and well-trained project managers is going to increase by around 33 percent. According to the report, this translates into 22 million more job positions globally that will have to be filled. This growing focus on project management-oriented roles means project management courses today have become a much sought after program among candidates looking to enter the foray of project management. The rise in their demand also means that many can now court higher average project manager salary.
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What is Project Management?
Project management is a vast discipline that entails overviewing and handling a project throughout the cycle. Various phases hold special significance in the project management process. These include initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing.
A project manager’s primary responsibility is to ensure that all these phases turn out as planned without any deviations or interruptions. Project managers help bring synergy between different teams and act as a connecting link. Project Management can be technically explained as applying different processes, methods, and skills to achieve the organizational objective.
Can Project Management Courses in Canada Lead to a Good Career Option?
Project Management Courses in Canada are geared towards catering what businesses and companies are demanding from their project managers. This means equipping candidates with the right skills and aptitude to handle the dynamic nature of project management across sectors. Project Management Courses in Canada are often one to two-year programs offered as a certificate course, a diploma, or even a master’s degree. But, even after all this, an important question remains unanswered. Is doing a Project Management Course in Canada a good option?
A way to answer it is to look at the average salaries project managers can obtain in Canada. A look at the numbers paints a favourable picture. Given the quality of Project Management Courses in Canada, the average salary of a Project Management Professional (PMP) in Canada is high. Other factors like the advanced level of knowledge and specialization that’s required to fill a project manager positions and their growing demand across different sectors, all play into making project managers a well-paid job.
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How much is project manager salary in Canada?
Getting a Project Management Professional or a PMP certification helps a great deal when it comes to getting a job as a project manager in Canada.
Meanwhile, for many professions, the average starting project manager salary range (at a graduate) level is between CAD 38,000 and CAD 56,000 per year. This, while Certified PMPs often obtain salaries within CAD 80,000 and CAD 130,000 per year. Although such numbers are dictated by personal factors like years of experience and the organization one joins, the average salaries remain very high. The tables below give an idea of the distribution of salaries across regions and companies.
Project Manager Salary: A region-wise reflection of average salaries of PMPs
| Region | Average salaries (in CAD) |
| Toronto | $ 89,900 |
| Vancouver | $77,900 |
| Ottawa | $94,200 |
| Calgary | $85,000 |
| Edmonton | $81,000 |
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Project Manager Salary(s) Company Wise
| Company | Average salaries (in CAD) |
| SNC-Lavalin | $242, 300 |
| Telus | $79,200 |
| Rogers Communications | $82,900 |
| Bell Canada | $73,700 |
| TD | $92,000 |
Eligibility for Studying a Project Management Course in Canada
Project management courses are usually 1-2 year courses offered as a degree, diploma, or master’s degree at Canadian universities. A project management course teaches someone to lead a project in a dynamic environment by organizing and managing the resources required to complete the project.
Reasons why you should pursue a project management course in Canada:
- It is projected that 15.7 million new project management positions will be generated globally over the next few years, according to the Project Management Institute, holding the maximum position in Canada.
- Project management jobs in key industries will be up by 33%, according to the Anderson Economic Group (AEG) study called Project Management Job Growth and Skill Gap 2017-2027.
- According to the Canadian Bureau of International Education, Canada is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations among international students, with about 572,415 students in Canada in 2018.
- Thanks to Canadian universities’ standard of education, foreign student enrollment has increased by 154% since 2010.
- Upon obtaining a working permit in Canada, students can work for up to three years in Canada upon graduation.
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Eligibility to study Project Management in Canada:
Project Management Masters in Canada: Admission Requirements
- A 4-year undergraduate degree. A Bachelor from a globally accredited institution or Canada with a composite ranking of at least 60 points.
- GMAT score
- Related work experience
- TOEFL / IELTS or any other English proficiency test as an external language score. Proof of English competence with an IELTS score of at least 6.5 or equivalent.
Graduates with a 2-5 year professional experience who cannot meet the minimum eligibility criteria may not be qualified to apply for a graduate or project management credential.
An applicant must have a minimum of 70 per cent Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science.
Besides, certificate training is offered to professionals who wish to continue their training. Such diplomas are available at Canada’s top universities, including the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, the University of Northern British Columbia, etc.
It is required by an applicant for admission to a reputed Project Management course in Canada, and to a foreign applicant whose primary language is not English.
The typical GMAT examination scores for Management schools in Canada are typically 550 but varies from 500 to 600. However, the GMAT requirement is not absolute, and an institution may consider various factors to account for a student’s low GMAT scores. These vary from personal commitments, professional experience, and career ambitions to how the learner introduces himself/herself before the admission committee.
Required Minimum Standards of English Testing
International students are obliged to prove their English skills using either TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent skill level tests.
The following table shows the minimum requirements for English language skills to qualify for a project management course in Canada in Canada’s top universities:
| University Name | Program Name | Minimum Required Scores for TOEFL (iBT) | Minimum Required Scores for IELTS |
| University of British Columbia | MEng Civil Engineering- Project and Construction Management; MASc in Civil Engineering- Project and Construction Management | 100 | 7.0 |
| University of Calgary | MSc Civil Engineering- Project Management; MEng Civil Engineering- Project Management | 86 | 6.5 |
| MBA in Project Management | 97 | 7.0 | |
| Northeastern University | Master of Science in Project Management | 79 | 6.5 |
| University of New Brunswick | MBA in Project Management | 93 | — |
Career opportunities after master’s study in Canada
You may start your career as a project manager through many industries. Some industries include banking and insurance, automobiles, telecommunications, IT, media, education, government, etc. Due to the high level of experience, a master’s salary in project management (MPM) is typically high. The typical initial pay scale is between $38,000 and $56,000 per annum. Depending on the job and the company, salaries with experience and credentials will vary between $85,000 and $120,000.
Some common positions for students who have done his/her masters in project management are listed below.
- Project Manager, (Unspecified Type / General)
- Project Manager, Information Technology (IT)
- Senior Project Manager, IT
- Project Manager, Construction
- Operations Manager
- Project Engineer
- Program Manager
- Project Coordinator
How do I become a project manager with no experience?
If you have little to no experience, you can first decide first to seek the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification and work as a project manager before you qualify. If you have years of informal management experience, you can also decide to go for PMP (Project Management Professional).
What skills do you need to be a project manager?
A professional project manager must possess the personality, talents, and experience to hold the role. Generally, typical requirements include three years of related functional expertise, exceptional communication skills, formal training, and PMP certification.
Candidates are usually accepted in top universities in Canada until September. However, international students should complete their entry as early as possible so that the entry and Canada student visa process can be completed promptly.
The success of your project management career is also highly dependent on your skills and aptitude. But, completing a Project Management Course in Canada can greatly improve your chances of getting a high-paying job. Enrolling for a project management course in Canada from highly prestigious institutes will surely boost your chances of landing a job with some of the best corporations.
With Canada becoming an attractive destination for students to pursue internationally renowned courses, it’s not surprising that the Project Management Course in Canada has also become a popular option among candidates. Studying abroad and obtaining PMP certification helps many secure a high-paying job as a project manager.
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