Ask HN: Stagnated Project Manager, Low Salary, 7 Years In
HN, I'm a project manager in 3rd highest COL area in the USA. I have been making $50K since 2018, same company of 150+ people for 3 years now. 7 years into this profession. I'm only here due to trade-specific knowledge that afforded me the opportunity, although I routinely see unqualified candidates get hired (All benefits of a doubt given, but after vetting candidates while working together vs. what they advertised on the resume to management, I've frequently been disappointed). I believe this company touts their long tenure in management layer to attract turn-and-burn project managers who typically last 2 years. I'm now managing about $700K+ in annual projects, upward of 20 store rebrands and 150+ service items at any given moment. High volume, low margin, brutal account. I am on call until 10PM to answer questions. My workload has tripled in the last three years, my managed projects annual revenue doubled. I went 3 years without a raise, finally got $2 an hour after I took on the new account and my workload has ballooned beyond manageable levels. I manage a lot of subcontractors over the USA and it's a bear. I am responsible for pricing, job and materials tracking, status reports, permit acquisition, billing and close-outs, code research for project kick-offs. I have departments to help me with specific requests, such as creating a drawing set or estimating a custom build, but I am doing the rest from first proposal to final invoice. The good part is revenue is up by a lot compared to the previous person managing the account...

I've worked at several companies doing national chain store re-brands and researching code, translating that to how it affects allowable store presence within image guidelines, and how it affects general product manufacturing and installation, logistics, project schedules, coordination with construction phasing etc. Assembling proposals on projects up to $100K... I've never had a workload like this current position, it seems as if by design.

1) Where to find new employment these days? I've always applied directly to local businesses I wanted to work for due to our niche industry. LinkedIn postings are targeting well educated and experienced. ZipRecruiter leads to a lot of spam from recruiters. My industry specific recruiters don't have any positions available better than my existing. Indeed seems all over the place with less opportunities. I perused Monster and didn't turn up much.

2) Has anyone had a similar experiencing entering this profession without an education? Education barring me from all gainful employment in this profession it seems. I'm afraid that my time in this career has been wasted, as I could have progressed much further salary-wise even being a used car salesman for the right dealership. Management is touting a 'Senior PM' role later down the line, but based on their last minute surprises that happen frequently, I highly doubt this will happen. They seem to value constant change over a surefire process. Also, without adequate income I wouldn't want to accept the added responsibilities and workload.

3) Any general life advice? I'm absolutely dredging along day by day and very discouraged. I haven't applied to a single job this year, I just keep looking and saying "they wouldn't hire me". I've worked at other jobs in this industry I've truly enjoyed, but this one is all the worst parts of the industry without the sense of satisfaction. I did much better doing similar projects for small business.

I'm also running a business part time to keep up with CoL. I am extremely burnt, I can't tell you how many times I've gotten phone calls while on-site running my evening business. 6AM-7PM is a pretty typical weekday for me. Constructive, nonconstructive criticism, shrewd and disparaging comments all welcome.