Project Manager Career Guide: Working and Living in Irving, TX

As a career analyst who’s watched the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex evolve for over a decade, I can tell you this: Irving isn’t just a Dallas suburb. It’s a distinct economic engine with its own identity, anchored by a massive airport, a historic downtown, and a blend of corporate giants and mid-sized innovators. For a Project Manager, this means a specific blend of opportunities—often in logistics, tech, healthcare, and professional services—where your skills are in consistent demand.

This guide is designed to cut through the noise. We’ll use hard data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Texas Workforce Commission, and local market observations to give you a realistic picture of what your career and life could look like here.

The Salary Picture: Where Irving Stands

Let’s start with the most critical number. The median salary for a Project Manager in Irving is $102,282 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.17. This slightly outpaces the national average for the role, which sits at $101,280. In a market with 508 active job postings for Project Managers in the metro area, this indicates a healthy, competitive environment.

The key to understanding your potential earnings here is experience. Irving’s job market rewards proven track records, especially in sectors like aviation (thanks to DFW Airport) and tech.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in Irving:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Salary Range (Irving)	Key Industries in This Tier
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$75,000 - $90,000	Construction, IT support, junior PM roles in healthcare.
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$90,000 - $115,000	Software development, corporate events, logistics, telecom.
Senior-Level	8-15 years	$115,000 - $140,000	Large-scale IT implementations, healthcare system projects, airport operations.
Expert/Lead	15+ years	$140,000 - $170,000+	Program management, portfolio management, consulting, executive leadership.

How Irving Compares to Other Texas Hubs:

• Dallas: Slightly higher median (~$105,000), but cost of living is also higher, especially downtown. More corporate HQ roles.
• Fort Worth: Median is closer to $100,000. Strong in aerospace (Lockheed Martin) and energy. Commute from Irving is manageable via I-35W.
• Austin: Median salary is higher (~$108,000), but the tech market is fiercely competitive, and housing costs are significantly steeper.
• Houston: Median is similar (~$102,000), but the economy is more dominated by energy and healthcare. Weather and sprawl are major factors.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at the base salary. In Irving’s market, a significant portion of PM compensation, especially at mid-level and above, comes from annual bonuses (often 5-15% of base) and stock options/RSUs in publicly traded companies (like ExxonMobil in nearby Irving or tech firms). Always negotiate the total package.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $102,282 salary sounds great, but let’s get real about the monthly budget. Texas has no state income tax, which is a major advantage. However, property taxes are high (averaging ~1.8% of home value).

Here’s a realistic monthly breakdown for a single Project Manager earning the Irving median:

Expense Category	Monthly Cost	Notes & Assumptions
Gross Pay	$8,523	$102,282 / 12 months.
Federal Tax & FICA	~$1,950	Estimated for single filer, standard deduction. (No state tax in TX).
Net Take-Home Pay	~$6,573	This is your "in-hand" cash.
Rent (1BR Average)	$1,291	Irving average. Could range from $1,100 (Las Colinas) to $1,500 (Coppell border).
Utilities (Elec/Gas)	$150	Highly variable with Texas summers.
Car Payment/Insurance	$500	DFW is car-dependent. Insurance is high in Texas.
Groceries	$400
Health Insurance (Employer)	$300	Pre-tax, varies by plan.
Retirement (401k - 5%)	$426	Pre-tax. Strongly recommended.
Miscellaneous (Dining, Fun)	$600
Total Expenses	~$3,667
Monthly Savings	~$2,906	This is a healthy 43% savings rate.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?
With $2,900 in monthly savings, building a down payment is feasible. The median home price in Irving is approximately $330,000. A 20% down payment would be $66,000. At your savings rate, you could save this in about 23 months.

However, the monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) for a $330,000 home would be roughly $2,200 - $2,400. This is manageable on your take-home pay, but it would reduce your savings rate to about 15-20%. Many PMs in Irving opt to live in slightly more affordable adjacent cities (like Grand Prairie or Hurst) to maximize home-buying power.

Where the Jobs Are: Irving's Major Employers

Irving’s job market is a mix of local anchors and regional HQs. Project Managers are crucial in these environments for ongoing operations and strategic initiatives.

1. ExxonMobil (Irving HQ): The city’s largest private employer. They hire PMs for everything from upstream oil & gas projects to downstream refining and corporate IT. Hiring is steady but competitive; internal mobility is common.
2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): A city-within-a-city. PMs are needed for terminal renovations, technology upgrades (baggage systems, flight info), and capital improvement programs. Stability is high, as airport projects are perpetual.
3. Texas Health Resources (Campus in Irving): A major healthcare system. PMs lead EHR (Electronic Health Record) implementations, new facility builds, and clinical program rollouts. Healthcare IT is a booming specialty here.
4. Verizon (Las Colinas): While their HQ moved, Verizon maintains a massive presence in Las Colinas (part of Irving). PMs work on network upgrades, enterprise solutions, and internal process improvements.
5. NexBank (Downtown Irving): A growing financial tech company. They actively hire PMs for software development, compliance projects, and digital banking initiatives. A good spot for PMs with an Agile/Scrum background.
6. Christus Health (Irving Campus): Another key healthcare provider. Similar needs to Texas Health, with a focus on community health initiatives and facility management.
7. Kimberly-Clark (Global HQ in Irving): A consumer goods giant. PMs manage product launches, supply chain optimization, and manufacturing facility upgrades. A great blend of corporate and operational project work.

Hiring Trends: There’s a clear shift toward PMs with hybrid skills—traditional project management combined with knowledge of Agile, data analytics, or specific industry regulations (like HIPAA in healthcare or FAA guidelines for aviation). Companies are also prioritizing candidates who can manage remote or hybrid teams effectively.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas does not require a state-specific license to call yourself a Project Manager. However, professional certification is a de facto requirement for competitive roles.

Key Certifications & Pathways:

1. PMP (Project Management Professional): The gold standard, offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Requires 36 months of leading projects and 35 hours of education. Exam cost: ~$400 for members, ~$550 for non-members. Timeline: 3-6 months of study/prep after meeting experience requirements.
2. CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management): Ideal for entry-level candidates. Requires a secondary degree and 23 hours of project management education. Exam cost: ~$225 (member), ~$300 (non-member). Timeline: 1-3 months of study.
3. Agile Certifications (CSM, PMI-ACP): Highly valued in Irving’s tech and software sectors. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) requires a 2-day course and exam ($995). PMI-ACP requires experience and exam ($435 for members).

Insider Tip: The Dallas-Fort Worth PMI Chapter is very active. Attending their monthly meetings (often held in Irving or Las Colinas) is the best way to network and get local insights. Many companies sponsor certification costs for high-potential employees.

Best Neighborhoods for Project Managers

Where you live in Irving will define your commute and lifestyle. The city is divided by major highways (I-635, SH-114, I-35E), creating distinct zones.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Best For
Las Colinas (Urban Core)	Modern, walkable, corporate. Close to DFW Airport, Verizon, and many offices. Can be pricey.	$1,400 - $1,800	Young professionals, those who want a shorter commute to major employers.
Downtown Irving (Heritage District)	Historic charm, local restaurants, growing arts scene. Commute to DFW is easy (~15 mins).	$1,250 - $1,500	Those who want character and a sense of community, with access to the TRE train to Dallas.
Valley Ranch	Established, family-friendly, with parks and trails. Commute to north Irving offices is good.	$1,200 - $1,400	PMs with families or those who want a quieter, suburban feel.
Coppell (Border)	Excellent schools, upscale, but higher rent. Technically its own city, but adjacent to Irving.	$1,500 - $2,000+	Prioritizing top-tier schools and a premium residential environment.
South Irving (Near DFW)	More affordable, diverse. Commutes can be longer to northern employers.	$1,000 - $1,300	Budget-conscious PMs, or those who work directly at the airport.

Commute Reality Check: Traffic in DFW is significant. A 10-mile commute during rush hour can take 30-45 minutes. Proximity to major highways (I-635, SH-114) is a major quality-of-life factor. Living in Las Colinas or Downtown Irving can cut commute times dramatically for jobs within the city.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth projection for Project Managers in the metro is 6%, which is solid and reflects the region’s continued economic expansion. However, growth won’t be evenly distributed.

Specialty Premiums You Can Command:

• IT/Software Development (Agile/Scrum): +10-15% over base median.
• Healthcare/Pharma (Regulatory Compliance): +8-12% over base median.
• Construction/Engineering (PMP Required): +5-10% over base median.
• Oil & Gas (Upstream): +10-20% over base median, but more volatile.

Advancement Paths:

1. Vertical: Senior PM → Program Manager → Portfolio Manager → Director of PMO.
2. Specialized: PM → IT Project Manager → IT Program Manager → VP of Technology.
3. Consulting: Leave corporate for a consulting firm (like Accenture or Deloitte, which have DFW offices), often for higher pay but more travel.

Insider Tip: The most successful PMs in Irving don't just manage tasks; they understand the business. If you work in aviation, learn FAA regulations. In healthcare, understand value-based care models. This business acumen is what gets you promoted beyond the manager level.

The Verdict: Is Irving Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, Diverse Job Market: Not reliant on one industry (unlike Houston or Austin).	Car Dependency: You will need a reliable car. Public transit (DART) is limited.
No State Income Tax: Increases your take-home pay significantly.	Summer Heat: Brutal from June to September. High AC bills.
Central Location: Easy access to Dallas, Fort Worth, and DFW Airport.	Traffic: Congestion is real, especially on I-635 and during peak hours.
Affordable Housing (vs. National Hubs): You can buy a home without being house-poor.	Suburban Sprawl: Can feel impersonal; lacks the dense urban core of Dallas.
Good School Districts (in parts): Coppell and Irving ISD have strong programs.	Property Taxes: High county taxes can offset the lack of state income tax.

Final Recommendation:
Irving is an excellent choice for mid-career Project Managers (3-10 years of experience) seeking a balance of career opportunity and quality of life. It’s particularly well-suited for those in tech, healthcare, aviation, or logistics. If you value a shorter commute over a downtown Dallas nightlife, and you prefer a more affordable path to homeownership, Irving offers a pragmatic and rewarding environment. It’s not the flashiest city, but its economic fundamentals are solid, and your skills will be in demand.

FAQs

1. Do I need to know Spanish to work as a Project Manager in Irving?
While not a strict requirement, Spanish proficiency is a significant asset, especially in construction, healthcare, and customer-facing roles. Irving’s population is over 50% Hispanic/Latino, and being able to communicate with teams and stakeholders can set you apart.

2. How competitive is the job market for Project Managers here?
With 508 jobs in the metro and a 6% growth rate, the market is active but not frothy. Competition is highest for roles in tech and at major corporate HQs (ExxonMobil, Verizon). Having a PMP and a few years of relevant industry experience will make you a strong candidate. Networking through local PMI chapters and LinkedIn is crucial.

3. Is it feasible to work in Dallas and live in Irving?
Absolutely. Many people do this. The commute from Irving to Dallas (especially Downtown or Uptown) via I-35E or I-30 can be 20-45 minutes, depending on traffic. The TRE (Trinity Railway Express) also runs from Downtown Irving to Dallas Union Station, offering a stress-free alternative.

4. What’s the best way to find Project Manager jobs in Irving?
Start with LinkedIn—filter by location (Irving) and keyword "Project Manager." Also, check the career pages of the major employers listed above (ExxonMobil, DFW Airport, Texas Health). The local Dallas chapter of PMI also has a job board. For tech roles, Dice and Built In Dallas-Fort Worth are valuable resources.

5. How does the cost of living index of 103.3 affect my budget?
This means Irving is 3.3% more expensive than the national average. However, this is driven primarily by housing and transportation. Since Texas has no state income tax and groceries/utilities are near the national average, your overall financial picture can be better than in a high-tax state with a similar index. The key is managing housing and car costs, which are your two biggest variable expenses.