What Do Project Controls Specialists Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for project controls specialists?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what project controls 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.
Project Controls Specialists Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about project controls specialists by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Project Controls Specialists analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
Popular Job Titles For Project Controls Specialists
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Project Managers
- Project Coordinators
- Assistant Project Managers
- Technical Project Managers
- Environmental Project Managers
- Water Resources Project Managers
- Associate Project Managers
- Project Controls Specialists
- Commercial Project Managers
- Directors of Projects
- Infrastructure Project Managers
- Multifamily Project Managers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for project controls specialists can be found.
Best Industries for Project Controls Specialists
Project Controls Specialists Jobs By Industry
- Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services: 8.9%
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 7.1%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 6.8%
- Nonresidential Building Construction: 6.7%
- Building Equipment Contractors: 4.9%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 4.6%
- Other: 61%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of project controls specialists can be found working in the Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services sector. In 2023, about 8.9% of all jobs for project controls specialists were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Computer Systems Design and Related Services (7.1%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (6.8%), Nonresidential Building Construction (6.7%), Building Equipment Contractors (4.9%) and Management of Companies and Enterprises (4.6%).
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What Do Project Controls Specialists Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what project controls 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 project controls 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 project controls specialists tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for project controls specialists, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Project Controls Specialists
Based on 392,608 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Project Controls Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 352,007 | 90% |
| Construction | 81,811 | 21% |
| Project Schedules | 59,188 | 15% |
| Subcontracting | 57,031 | 15% |
| Construction Management | 54,681 | 14% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Project Controls Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 217,553 | 55% |
| Management | 195,969 | 50% |
| Leadership | 135,242 | 34% |
| Planning | 129,636 | 33% |
| Coordinating | 100,354 | 26% |
Based on 392,608 job postings related to project controls specialists, project management was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 90% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for construction, project schedules, subcontracting, construction management and project planning were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for project controls specialists, followed by management, leadership, planning, coordinating and operations.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 352,007 | 90% |
| Construction | 81,811 | 21% |
| Project Schedules | 59,188 | 15% |
| Subcontracting | 57,031 | 15% |
| Construction Management | 54,681 | 14% |
| Project Planning | 53,039 | 14% |
| Change Orders | 45,446 | 12% |
| Procurement | 43,279 | 11% |
| Project Scoping | 40,174 | 10% |
| Change Management | 38,811 | 10% |
| Milestones (Project Management) | 37,971 | 10% |
| Invoicing | 36,714 | 9% |
| Microsoft Project | 36,476 | 9% |
| Agile Methodology | 33,289 | 8% |
| Project Implementation | 31,895 | 8% |
| Marketing | 31,704 | 8% |
| Finance | 31,607 | 8% |
| Accounting | 28,929 | 7% |
| Risk Management | 28,553 | 7% |
| Project Documentation | 28,431 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 217,553 | 55% |
| Management | 195,969 | 50% |
| Leadership | 135,242 | 34% |
| Planning | 129,636 | 33% |
| Coordinating | 100,354 | 26% |
| Operations | 86,322 | 22% |
| Problem Solving | 84,031 | 21% |
| Microsoft Office | 80,634 | 21% |
| Customer Service | 78,026 | 20% |
| Microsoft Excel | 76,117 | 19% |
| Detail Oriented | 71,935 | 18% |
| Writing | 69,545 | 18% |
| Scheduling | 68,758 | 18% |
| Presentations | 65,968 | 17% |
| Organizational Skills | 51,886 | 13% |
| Budgeting | 51,534 | 13% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 50,858 | 13% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 50,140 | 13% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 49,481 | 13% |
| Time Management | 49,046 | 12% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Project Controls Specialists
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Managers | 245,683 | 56.1% |
| Project Coordinators | 55,633 | 12.7% |
| Assistant Project Managers | 27,284 | 6.2% |
| Technical Project Managers | 14,314 | 3.3% |
| Environmental Project Managers | 12,881 | 2.9% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was project managers, with 105,049 unique job postings. Project coordinators were second, with 10,332 postings, followed by assistant project managers, technical project managers and environmental project managers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to project controls specialists.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Managers | 245,683 | 56.1% |
| Project Coordinators | 55,633 | 12.7% |
| Assistant Project Managers | 27,284 | 6.2% |
| Technical Project Managers | 14,314 | 3.3% |
| Environmental Project Managers | 12,881 | 2.9% |
| Water Resources Project Managers | 5,142 | 1.2% |
| Associate Project Managers | 6,643 | 1.5% |
| Project Controls Specialists | 6,374 | 1.5% |
| Commercial Project Managers | 6,980 | 1.6% |
| Directors of Projects | 5,853 | 1.3% |
| Infrastructure Project Managers | 4,112 | 0.9% |
| Multifamily Project Managers | 6,558 | 1.5% |
| Project Controls Managers | 4,581 | 1% |
| Lead Project Managers | 4,327 | 1% |
| IT Project Managers | 3,828 | 0.9% |
| Directors of Project Management | 3,642 | 0.8% |
| Project Management Managers | 3,828 | 0.9% |
| Restoration Project Managers | 4,075 | 0.9% |
| Commercial Drywall Project Managers | 8,790 | 2% |
| Architectural Project Managers | 7,030 | 1.6% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for project controls specialists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for project controls specialists.
How much do project controls specialists make?
Project Controls Specialists: How do you become one?
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