While the salary gap between college graduates and Project Managers has remained relatively consistent on paper, the reality tells a different story. Project Managers used to earn nearly twice as much as a college graduate. Today, they earn closer to 1.2 times as much. Why?

Free agency: Contractors have less leverage over college graduates, who have more mobility and options early in their careers.

Transparency: General contractors now have greater visibility into what competitors are paying, forcing them to make more competitive offers to attract and retain talent.

Title inflation: Responsibilities that belonged to a Project Manager 15 years ago are now often assigned to roles titled Senior Project Manager or Project Executive, shifting compensation upward while compressing the middle.