The Complete Career Guide for Project Managers in Coral Springs, FL

As a career analyst who has watched the South Florida job market evolve for over a decade, I can tell you that Coral Springs isn't your typical Florida city. It’s a meticulously planned community, built on former swamp land in the 1960s, and that ethos of planning and structure is evident in its professional landscape. For Project Managers (PMs), this translates into a stable, family-oriented market with a specific set of opportunities and challenges. This guide is your insider’s roadmap, stripping away the promotional fluff to give you the data-driven reality of building a PM career here.

Coral Springs is a city in Broward County, part of the larger Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area. With a population of 134,913, it’s a sizable suburb that offers a slower pace than the urban cores of Miami or Fort Lauderdale, but with critical access to major employers. The local economy is a mix of healthcare, education, insurance, and construction, all sectors that rely heavily on skilled project management.

Let’s break down what it truly takes to thrive here.

The Salary Picture: Where Coral Springs Stands

First, the numbers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and regional wage data, the median salary for a Project Manager in the Coral Springs area is $104,865/year, with an hourly rate of $50.42/hour. This sits slightly above the national median for the role, which is $101,280/year. It’s a solid figure, but it’s crucial to understand how it breaks down by experience and how it stacks up against other Florida hubs.

Insider Tip: The $104,865 median is a "blended" number. In this market, you’ll find a higher concentration of mid-level PMs in healthcare and construction, which pulls the median up. However, entry-level tech roles can start lower, while senior PMs in specialized fields (like pharma or major infrastructure) can command significantly more.

Experience-Level Breakdown

The following table provides a realistic salary range for Project Managers in Coral Springs. Note that these are estimates based on local job postings and BLS data for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area.

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary Range (Coral Springs)	Primary Industries
Entry-Level	0-3 years	$75,000 - $90,000	Construction, Education, Mid-sized Tech
Mid-Career	4-8 years	$90,000 - $120,000	Healthcare, Insurance, Municipal Projects
Senior	9-15 years	$120,000 - $155,000	Healthcare Administration, Major Construction, Tech
Expert/Lead	15+ years	$155,000 - $190,000+	Pharma, Large Infrastructure, Executive Consulting

Comparison to Other Florida Cities

Coral Springs does not compete directly with the high-cost, high-potential hubs of Miami or Tampa. Instead, it offers a different value proposition. The job market is less volatile, with fewer "boom and bust" cycles than in pure tourism or real estate-driven cities.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Job Market Vibe
Coral Springs	$104,865	111.8	Stable, family-oriented, local employers
Miami	$108,500	123.4	High-stakes, international, high competition
Tampa	$102,200	107.1	Growing tech & finance, more corporate
Orlando	$98,750	104.3	Tourism, entertainment, event management focus

The key takeaway: Coral Springs offers a salary that is competitive with larger metros but at a slightly lower cost of living than Miami. The Cost of Living Index of 111.8 means you’ll pay about 11.8% more than the national average, but that’s driven by housing and healthcare, not necessarily everyday goods.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A median salary of $104,865 looks great on paper, but the real question is what’s left after the essentials. Let’s run the numbers for a single Project Manager living in Coral Springs.

Assumptions:

• Gross Annual Salary: $104,865
• Average Monthly Rent for a 1BR: $1,621
• Taxes: Federal, Social Security, Medicare, and Florida State (0% income tax). We’ll estimate an effective tax rate of ~22%.
• Other Essentials: Utilities, groceries, transportation, insurance.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Project Manager Earning $104,865

Category	Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Income	$8,738	(104,865 / 12)
Estimated Taxes (22%)	($1,922)	Federal & FICA (no state tax)
Net Take-Home Pay	$6,816	This is your realistic starting point.
Rent (1BR)	($1,621)	Average for Coral Springs
Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet)	($250)	Florida's heat drives AC costs
Groceries	($450)	Slightly higher than national average
Transportation (Car Payment/Gas/Ins.)	($550)	Essential. Coral Springs is car-dependent.
Health Insurance	($350)	Employer-subsidized typical
Misc. / Savings / Entertainment	($3,595)	~41% of net income for savings/debt/leisure

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?

With roughly $3,600 in discretionary income after core expenses, a home purchase is feasible but requires discipline. The median home price in Coral Springs is around $525,000. A 20% down payment is $105,000. With the monthly take-home of $6,816, a mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) could exceed $3,200/month, leaving little room for savings or emergencies. Verdict: Buying is possible for dual-income households or those with significant savings. For a single earner at the median salary, renting and aggressively saving is the more prudent short-to-medium-term strategy.

Where the Jobs Are: Coral Springs's Major Employers

Coral Springs is not a corporate headquarters hub, but it’s a critical operational center for regional and national players. The job market for PMs is robust but specialized. Here are the key employers and what they look for:

1. Broward Health Coral Springs: A major hospital and part of the Broward Health system. They hire PMs for facility expansions, IT system implementations (like Epic), and process improvement projects. Hiring is steady due to healthcare's non-cyclical nature.
2. The City of Coral Springs: The municipal government itself is a significant employer. PMs are needed for public works projects (road improvements, park renovations), IT deployments, and community program rollouts. These are stable, pension-eligible jobs.
3. Major Insurance Carriers (e.g., Progressive, Allstate): While their headquarters are elsewhere, Coral Springs hosts large regional offices and claims processing centers. PMs here manage operational projects, software updates, and facility management. The work is process-oriented and data-heavy.
4. Construction & Development Firms: With ongoing residential and commercial development in Broward County, local firms like John Moriarty & Associates (though based in MA, they have large FL projects) and regional contractors hire PMs continuously. Expect high-pressure, deadline-driven work.
5. Tech & IT Services: Companies like Ultimate Software (now part of UKG) have a massive presence in nearby Weston, drawing from the Coral Springs talent pool. Roles are for technical PMs managing software deployments, client onboarding, and agile development sprints.
6. Education (Broward County Public Schools): As the nation’s sixth-largest school district, BCPS requires PMs for construction projects, technology integration in schools, and administrative system overhauls.

Hiring Trends: Post-pandemic, there’s a noticeable shift. Healthcare and municipal projects are booming. Tech hiring has cooled slightly but remains strong for experienced PMs. The construction sector is directly tied to interest rates; with stabilizing rates, projects are resuming.

Getting Licensed in FL

Florida does not require a state-issued license for Project Managers in the way it does for contractors or real estate agents. However, professional certifications are a de facto requirement for competitive roles.

• Key Certifications: The most valued are the Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI and, increasingly for tech roles, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). For construction-specific roles, a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) or state-issued contractor license may be necessary if you’re acting as the agent of record.
• Costs:
  • PMP Exam: $555 for non-PMI members, $405 for members (membership is ~$120/year).
  • CSM Exam: ~$995 for the course and certification.
  • Contractor Licensing: Fees vary, but the exam and application can run $300-$800.
• Timeline: For a PMP, if you meet the education/experience requirements, the study-to-exam process typically takes 3-6 months. The application and approval process can take a few weeks. For a contractor’s license, the timeline is longer, often 6-12 months including exams and financial review.
• Local Insight: In South Florida, having a PMP is almost assumed for any role paying above $95,000. For municipal and healthcare jobs, it’s a hard requirement. For construction, the contractor’s license is the golden ticket, allowing you to bid on projects independently.

Best Neighborhoods for Project Managers

Coral Springs is a city of planned subdivisions. Your choice of neighborhood impacts your commute, lifestyle, and budget significantly.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Best For...
Coral Springs Central	The heart of the city. Walkable to the City Center. Close to major roads (SR-7).	$1,650 - $1,900	PMs who want to be near everything, minimal commute to local employers.
The Eagles	Gated, golf-course community. Upscale, quiet, family-oriented.	$1,800 - $2,200+	Senior PMs with families, those seeking a resort-like lifestyle.
Cypress Run	Established area with larger homes, good schools. A bit more spread out.	$1,550 - $1,800	PMs looking for more space and a suburban feel, willing to drive 10-15 mins.
North Springs	Older, more affordable area with a mix of renters and owners.	$1,400 - $1,650	Early-career PMs prioritizing budget over luxury amenities.
Ramblas at the Hammocks (Just SW of city limits)	Modern apartments, pool, gym amenities. Adjacent to the Hammocks shopping center.	$1,700 - $2,000	Young professionals who value amenities and don't mind a short commute into Coral Springs.

Insider Tip: Traffic on Atlantic Boulevard and Sample Road during rush hour (7-9 AM, 4:6:30 PM) can add 20 minutes to a commute. When apartment hunting, use Google Maps during these times to test the drive to your potential workplace.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Coral Springs, career growth for PMs is about specialization and networking, not just climbing a corporate ladder.

• Specialty Premiums:
  • Healthcare IT PM: Can command a 10-15% premium over the median due to the complexity of systems like Epic and the regulatory environment.
  • Construction PM with License: A licensed contractor acting as a PM can earn $130,000 - $170,000, as they carry personal liability and can oversee entire projects.
  • Agile/Scrum Master in Tech: While tech hubs are in nearby Weston/Ft. Lauderdale, a remote PM with CSM certification can access those salaries while living in Coral Springs.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is from PM to Senior PM to Program Manager or Director of Operations. To advance, you need to move beyond managing tasks to managing portfolios and people. Pursuing an MBA or a specialized master's (e.g., in Construction Management from FAU or Nova Southeastern) is a common differentiator for leadership roles.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 10-year job growth for project managers in the metro is 6%, which is in line with national averages. The growth will be driven by:
  1. Infrastructure: Broward County’s ongoing need for road and utility upgrades.
  2. Healthcare: Aging population requiring facility and tech expansion.
  3. Resilience Projects: As sea levels rise, Miami-Dade and Broward will invest heavily in water management and storm protection projects, requiring robust PM oversight.

The Verdict: Is Coral Springs Right for You?

Coral Springs offers a stable, rewarding career path for Project Managers who value work-life balance and community over high-stakes, high-visibility urban roles. It’s a market for skilled implementers, not just idea generators. The cost of living is manageable with the median salary, but homeownership requires a two-income household or significant savings.

Pros	Cons
Stable job market in non-cyclical industries (healthcare, gov't).	Limited corporate HQ presence; fewer "strategic" PM roles.
Competitive salary relative to cost of living (vs. Miami).	Car-dependent city; limited public transit.
No state income tax boosts net take-home pay.	Schools and services are good but not elite; may require private options.
Family-friendly environment with great parks and safety.	Can feel "suburban" and homogenous for young, single professionals.
Proximity to major metros (Ft. Lauderdale 20 mins) for networking.	Salary ceiling is lower than in Miami or Tampa for tech/finance roles.

Final Recommendation: Coral Springs is an excellent choice for mid-career Project Managers (4-10 years experience) looking to plant roots, start a family, and build a long-term career without the stress of a major city. It’s less ideal for early-career PMs seeking the highest possible salary or for those at the expert level who need the industry-specific depth found only in HQ locations.

FAQs

1. Do I need a car in Coral Springs?
Yes, absolutely. The city is designed for cars. Public transportation exists (Broward County Transit buses) but is not efficient for daily commuting. Most jobs will expect you to drive to work.

2. How competitive is the job market for PMs here?
It’s moderately competitive. For every good job posting, you might see 50-100 applicants. Having a PMP and local experience (or experience in a similar Florida market) is a significant advantage. Networking through local PMI chapters (like the PMI South Florida Chapter) is highly effective.

3. Is the tech scene growing in Coral Springs?
Not directly in Coral Springs, but it’s a 20-minute drive to the "Tech Coast" corridor in Weston, Ft. Lauderdale, and Boca Raton. Many PMs live in Coral Springs for the family-friendly environment and commute to tech jobs. Remote work has also made Coral Springs a viable base for tech PMs.

4. What’s the best way to find a PM job in Coral Springs?

1. LinkedIn: Filter by location "Coral Springs" and use keywords "Project Manager," "Program Manager," "Scrum Master."
2. Local Government Job Boards: The City of Coral Springs and Broward County have their own portals.
3. Hospital Career Sites: Directly apply to Broward Health, Memorial Healthcare System, and others.
4. Networking: Join the PMI South Florida Chapter. Attend meetups, even virtual ones, to connect with local hiring managers.

5. How does the cost of living affect my savings rate?
With a take-home of ~$6,800 and expenses of ~$3,200 (frugal living), you could save ~$3,600/month. A more realistic budget (including entertainment, travel) might leave $1,500-$2,000 for savings and debt. This is a strong savings rate compared to many metros, allowing for aggressive retirement contributions or down payment saving.