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Project Controls Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Project Controls Associate information

See California salary details

$19

$43

$65

How much do project controls associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for project controls associate in California is $43.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.58 and $50.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a controls associate do?

A controls associate is responsible for monitoring and managing project schedules, budgets, and progress to ensure project goals are met. They use tools like Primavera or Microsoft Project and analyze data to identify potential issues, supporting project managers in maintaining control over project execution. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential for this role.

What does a Project Controls Associate do?

A Project Controls Associate supports project management teams by monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on project cost, schedule, and performance data. They help ensure that projects stay on track by identifying variances, preparing forecasts, and maintaining detailed records of project progress. Their work involves collaborating with project managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to provide timely and accurate information that facilitates decision-making. This role is essential for maintaining project efficiency, controlling budgets, and minimizing risks.

Is project control a good career?

Project controls is a viable career that involves planning, scheduling, cost management, and risk analysis to ensure project success. It requires skills in tools like Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project and often benefits from certifications such as PMP or CCP. The role offers opportunities across industries like construction, engineering, and IT, with steady demand for qualified professionals.

What is the lowest position in project management?

The lowest position in project management is often an entry-level role such as a Project Controls Assistant or Coordinator, responsible for supporting project schedules, cost tracking, and documentation. These roles typically require basic knowledge of project management tools like Primavera or MS Project and may serve as a stepping stone to more senior positions like Project Controls Specialist or Manager.

What does a project controls assistant do?

A project controls assistant supports project managers by tracking project schedules, budgets, and progress using tools like Primavera or Microsoft Project. They help ensure projects stay on time and within budget by maintaining documentation, updating reports, and coordinating communication among team members.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Project Controls Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Controls Associate, you need a solid understanding of project management principles, data analysis, and cost/schedule control, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field. Familiarity with project management software such as Primavera P6, MS Project, and proficiency in Excel, along with knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), are commonly required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you manage project data and collaborate with stakeholders. These competencies are crucial for ensuring projects stay on track, on budget, and aligned with organizational objectives.

What is the difference between Project Controls Associate vs Cost Analyst?

AspectProject Controls AssociateCost Analyst
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in project management, finance, or related field; certifications like CAPM or PMP are commonRequires a degree in finance, accounting, or related; certifications like CPC or CMA are advantageous
Work EnvironmentWorks on project schedules, progress tracking, and reporting within construction, engineering, or IT projectsFocuses on budgeting, cost tracking, and financial analysis within similar industries
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by construction, engineering, and infrastructure firms for project oversightCommon in finance, construction, and engineering sectors for financial management

The Project Controls Associate and Cost Analyst roles share overlapping skills in project budgeting and financial tracking. However, the Project Controls Associate primarily focuses on project scheduling, progress monitoring, and reporting, while the Cost Analyst emphasizes cost analysis, budgeting, and financial forecasting. Both roles are essential for project success but serve different aspects of project management and financial oversight.

How does a Project Controls Associate typically collaborate with project managers and other team members?

Project Controls Associates work closely with project managers, schedulers, and cost engineers to ensure that all aspects of a project are on track. They regularly participate in team meetings to provide updates on scheduling, budgeting, and progress tracking. Effective communication and collaboration are essential, as they often need to coordinate data collection, analyze project performance, and help implement corrective actions when necessary. This cross-functional teamwork helps ensure that projects meet their deadlines and budgetary constraints.
What are the most commonly searched types of Project Controls jobs in California? The most popular types of Project Controls jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Project Controls Associate jobs in California? For Project Controls Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Project Controls Associate jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Project Controls Associate jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Project Controls Associate job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, and 27% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $89,985 per year, or $43.3 per hour.
Associate Director, Project Controls

Associate Director, Project Controls

Cumming Group

Thousand Oaks, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

At Cumming Group, you will work on some of the world's most exciting projects in a dynamic environment where your success is measured by the impact you make. We are one of the fastest-growing project and cost management consultancies in the United States, as reflected in our top 10 rankings in ENR. With over 60 offices globally, an extremely diverse project portfolio, and double-digit year-over-year revenue growth, the opportunities to make your mark are limitless!

In this role, you will be a member of our highly reputable cost management and estimating team. The cost team delivers solutions to clients in the areas of conceptual estimating, budget development, cost planning, feasibility studies, value management, economic forecasting, milestone reports, pre- and post-contract auditing, change order review and reconciliation, BIM 5D cost modeling, LEED cost analysis, life cycle costing, and more. We encourage you to research us to learn more about our outstanding reputation within this service line.

We are currently hiring for an Associate Director, Project Controls to be based on-site at our life sciences client in the Thousand Oaks, CA area. You will proactively engage with the project team to forecasted deviations and develop mitigations. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on large scale life science projects.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Oversee a client account with significant growth potential or a portfolio of smaller clients as the point of contact.
  • Perform Project Controls Services service offering including but not limited to capital planning, portfolio and project governance, front end planning, project funding, project set up, construction technology, procure to pay, project, cost & commercial managing, schedule control, risk management, project close-out.
  • Engage in business development to defend, maintain and grow accounts being managed.
  • Actively participate in resource management including talent acquisition, retention, development and usage.
  • Lead the development of staff through supervision, training, coaching, and mentoring.
  • Fee proposal development & management.
  • Provide mentorship and training to team members in understanding methods of measurement, construction technology, contracts and delivery methods.
  • Participate in industry events.
  • Responsible for business management of the areas assigned including maintaining revenue and margins.
  • Responsible for accounts receivables and projections.
  • Leads cost controls efforts for projects with multi-phase structure and/or complex funding structure and requirements.
  • In partnership with Director Project Controls, leads QA/QC reviews of junior controls peers.
  • Plans and leads project controls "lessons learned" sessions post project closeout.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Attendance at work during normal business hours.

Knowledge & Skills Required:

  • Demonstrated technical competency in project controls service offering including but not limited to capital planning, portfolio and project governance, front end planning, project funding, project set up, construction technology, procure to pay, project, cost & commercial managing, schedule control, risk management, project close-out.
  • Manage and monitor team members' activity in alignment with organizational goals.
  • Delegate providing clear instructions and ongoing feedback.
  • Monitor metrics and course correct as necessary while holding self and others accountable.
  • Provide feedback to senior leaders and clearly communicate organizational direction to team members.
  • Build relationships with key internal resources (peers, direct reports, & senior leaders).
  • Create development opportunities and plan for direct reports and teams; provide ongoing feedback.
  • Ability to begin to move from task focused to more business mentality.
  • Demonstrate leadership traits and represent company values in a client facing capacity.
  • Provide Value Engineering solutions to clients by identifying opportunities for savings and ensuring material substitutions are equal.
  • Proven business development skills that have grown current market over the past year.
  • Skilled in the use of ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle.
  • Functionally proficient estimator across multiple divisions.
  • Functionally proficient in scheduling including ability to work with Primavera and MS project.
  • Functionally proficient in the contracts management of projects (Pre and post award).
  • Functionally proficient in cost management of Projects.
  • Functionally proficient in the use of analytical / reporting software such as power BI.
  • Functionally Proficient in the use of project information management systems such as Procore or ACC build.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication.

Preferred Education and Experience:

  • Education: BS in Construction Management, Engineering, QS, Architecture, or related field
  • Experience: 10+ years exp in project controls
  • Preferred Certification: MRICS, CPE, CCE, CEP, PMP, Six Sigma

#LI-VM1

Cumming Group is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity in its personnel policies and practices. It is Cumming Group's policy to recruit, hire, train and promote Team Members and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, registered domestic partner status, genetic information, sexual preference, sexual orientation, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions, including breastfeeding), military service, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, veteran status or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. All such decisions are based on (1) individual merit, qualifications, and competence as they relate to the particular position, and (2) promotion of the principle of equal employment opportunity.

All other terms and conditions of employment, such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoff, return from layoff, training, education, and social and recreational programs, are administered without regard to the characteristics described above. To this end, Cumming Group complies with all provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, all of the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor, and all similar state and local laws.

The salary range for this full-time role is $132,800.00-$185,933.36 per year. Ranges are determined based on the position, geography, client and industry experience and level, and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range reflects base salary only, and not the total compensation package. Cumming Group reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on a candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications, including client requirements.

In addition to base salary, Cumming Group offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

  • Medical
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) Matching
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid Holidays
  • Short and long-term disability
  • Employee Assistance Program