What Do Program Specialists Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for program specialists?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what program specialists do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Program Specialists Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about program specialists by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Program Specialists all managers not listed separately.
Popular Job Titles For Program Specialists
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Program Managers
- Program Coordinators
- Program Specialists
- Program Directors
- Technical Program Managers
- Compliance Managers
- Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Directors of Program Management
- Directors of Regulatory Affairs
- Program Officers
- Compliance Directors
- Program Facilitators
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for program specialists can be found.
Best Industries for Program Specialists
Program Specialists Jobs By Industry
- Federal Government, Civilian: 13.1%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 7%
- Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 6.2%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 3.7%
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 3.4%
- Scientific Research and Development Services: 3.2%
- Other: 63.4%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of program specialists can be found working in the Federal Government, Civilian sector. In 2023, about 13.1% of all jobs for program specialists were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management of Companies and Enterprises (7%), Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (6.2%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (3.7%), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (3.4%) and Scientific Research and Development Services (3.2%).
What Do Program Specialists Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what program specialists do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work program specialists do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that program specialists tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for program specialists, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Program Specialists
Based on 219,632 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Program Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 50,168 | 23% |
| Auditing | 29,456 | 13% |
| Marketing | 25,543 | 12% |
| Finance | 17,442 | 8% |
| Social Work | 17,180 | 8% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Program Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 112,913 | 51% |
| Management | 100,889 | 46% |
| Leadership | 83,194 | 38% |
| Program Management | 68,970 | 31% |
| Operations | 67,124 | 31% |
Based on 219,632 job postings related to program specialists, project management was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 23% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for auditing, marketing, finance, social work and process improvement were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for program specialists, followed by management, leadership, program management, operations and planning.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 50,168 | 23% |
| Auditing | 29,456 | 13% |
| Marketing | 25,543 | 12% |
| Finance | 17,442 | 8% |
| Social Work | 17,180 | 8% |
| Process Improvement | 14,309 | 7% |
| Data Analysis | 13,523 | 6% |
| Risk Management | 13,255 | 6% |
| Regulatory Compliance | 13,240 | 6% |
| Continuous Improvement Process | 12,280 | 6% |
| Accounting | 11,681 | 5% |
| Human Services | 11,128 | 5% |
| Program Development | 11,037 | 5% |
| New Product Development | 10,757 | 5% |
| Psychology | 9,701 | 4% |
| Milestones (Project Management) | 9,678 | 4% |
| Regulatory Affairs | 9,601 | 4% |
| Data Collection | 9,470 | 4% |
| Workflow Management | 9,395 | 4% |
| Agile Methodology | 9,337 | 4% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 112,913 | 51% |
| Management | 100,889 | 46% |
| Leadership | 83,194 | 38% |
| Program Management | 68,970 | 31% |
| Operations | 67,124 | 31% |
| Planning | 62,624 | 29% |
| Coordinating | 55,466 | 25% |
| Writing | 47,996 | 22% |
| Problem Solving | 40,544 | 18% |
| Research | 36,973 | 17% |
| Detail Oriented | 35,972 | 16% |
| Customer Service | 35,705 | 16% |
| Presentations | 32,752 | 15% |
| Microsoft Office | 31,634 | 14% |
| Microsoft Excel | 31,042 | 14% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 28,917 | 13% |
| Organizational Skills | 25,848 | 12% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 24,143 | 11% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 22,457 | 10% |
| Innovation | 21,341 | 10% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Program Specialists
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Program Managers | 36,966 | 20.9% |
| Program Coordinators | 42,768 | 24.1% |
| Program Specialists | 18,722 | 10.6% |
| Program Directors | 18,295 | 10.3% |
| Technical Program Managers | 11,399 | 6.4% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was program managers, with 15,791 unique job postings. Program coordinators were second, with 7,365 postings, followed by program specialists, program directors and technical program managers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to program specialists.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Program Managers | 36,966 | 20.9% |
| Program Coordinators | 42,768 | 24.1% |
| Program Specialists | 18,722 | 10.6% |
| Program Directors | 18,295 | 10.3% |
| Technical Program Managers | 11,399 | 6.4% |
| Compliance Managers | 10,050 | 5.7% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 6,239 | 3.5% |
| Directors of Program Management | 3,854 | 2.2% |
| Directors of Regulatory Affairs | 3,079 | 1.7% |
| Program Officers | 3,087 | 1.7% |
| Compliance Directors | 2,952 | 1.7% |
| Program Facilitators | 3,577 | 2% |
| Associate Directors of Regulatory Affairs | 2,442 | 1.4% |
| Deputy Program Managers | 2,612 | 1.5% |
| Assistant Program Directors | 2,335 | 1.3% |
| Digital Experience Managers | 1,700 | 1% |
| Directors of Global Regulatory Affairs | 2,170 | 1.2% |
| Regulatory Compliance Managers | 1,847 | 1% |
| Principal Program Managers | 1,577 | 0.9% |
| Social Worker Program Coordinators | 1,579 | 0.9% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for program specialists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for program specialists.
How much do program specialists make?
Program Specialists: How do you become one?
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