Project coordinator vs. project manager: Which role is right for you?

Both project coordinators and managers work on projects in similar industries. But what's the difference between a project coordinator vs. project manager? Learning about their responsibilities, salary, and job outlook can help you decide which career to pursue.

What does a project coordinator do?

Project coordinators handle day-to-day tasks that keep projects on schedule. As part of the project management team, project coordinators handle administrative tasks such as tracking expenses and providing updates on project success metrics.

While project managers handle big-picture planning responsibilities, project coordinators work on the ground, implementing action plans from project managers and ensuring that projects stay on schedule and under budget.

Project coordinator skills

What skills do you need to work as a project coordinator? You'll need strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

• Communication: Project coordinators work closely with project managers, team members, clients, and other stakeholders, so communication skills are critical. They need to convey information clearly and efficiently, particularly with technical projects.
• Organizational: Balancing multiple tasks and staying on top of deadlines requires strong organizational skills, particularly for project coordinators assigned to multiple projects at the same time.
• Problem-solving: In any project, unexpected challenges arise. Project coordinators need to identify problems, coordinate with team members, and implement solutions without causing broader disruptions to the project timeline.
• Time management: Successful project coordinators prioritize efficiency, which requires strong time management skills. They need to meet tight deadlines in order to complete projects.

Salary and career outlook for project coordinators

Project coordinators benefit from a strong salary and career outlook. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these specialists earn a median annual pay of $78,500, and project coordinators will see 7% projected job growth from 2023–2033 With experience, project coordinators can also move into project management roles.

What does a project manager do?

Diverse industries such as manufacturing, construction, engineering, tech, and healthcare rely on project managers to reach their goals.

Project managers design custom project plans based on the client, budget, and resources. They create cost estimates, timelines, and success metrics. Project managers then oversee the team that completes the project, including addressing any issues that arise while meeting project milestones.

After completing a project, project managers document the process and coordinate with clients.

Project manager skills

Here are some of the key skills you'll need to work as a project manager.

• Analytical thinking: Project managers need to evaluate data when planning and managing projects. They draw on data to create timelines, milestones, and budgets. Analytical skills also help project managers accurately assess the project's scope.
• Communication: As project leaders, project managers need to communicate information to their team and respond to client concerns. That requires strong communication skills.
• Problem-solving: Project managers must address problems quickly to avoid long-term impacts. By drawing on their problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, project managers can identify solutions that align with the project's goals.

Salary and career outlook for project managers

Project managers have a strong salary and career outlook. These professionals earn a median pay of $98,580, according to 2023 BLS data. Project managers in finance and insurance report the highest median salaries.

Project manager jobs are projected to grow by 7% from 2023–2033, with particularly high demand in tech fields.

Where the work of project coordinators and managers overlap

• Goals: Project coordinators and project managers often work side-by-side on the same projects, meaning they share many goals. While project managers typically focus on big-picture planning issues, they depend on project coordinators to update tracking metrics and keep projects on schedule.
• Industries: Because they work on similar projects, both careers typically appear in similar industries, including tech, manufacturing, and construction. This overlap can also help project coordinators move into project manager roles.
• Skill set: Both careers require strong communication and interpersonal skills because they both require a high degree of teamwork. Organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills are also critical for both career paths.

Snapshot of project coordinators vs. project managers

Which career path is right for you?

Should you become a project coordinator or a project manager? The answer depends on your skills, experience, and education. If you excel at time management and organization, project coordination could be a good fit. If you prefer contributing to the overall vision and delegating tasks, project management might be a good fit.

If you're still on the fence between project coordinator vs. project manager careers, consider starting with project coordinator roles. These careers typically have lower education and experience requirements, which can give you hands-on experience while you decide whether to pursue project manager jobs.