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$18

$41

$62

How much do project controls specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for project controls specialist in Iowa is $41.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.85 and $47.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a project controls specialist?

Project Controls Specialists are professionals who monitor, analyze, and report on various aspects of project performance, such as cost, schedule, and risk. They play a key role in ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget by providing accurate data and forecasts to project managers and stakeholders. Their responsibilities typically include developing project schedules, tracking progress, managing budgets, and identifying potential issues before they impact project delivery. Project Controls Specialists often work in industries like construction, engineering, and energy, where large-scale projects require close oversight.

What does a project controls specialist do?

As a project controls specialist, you track employee performance during a project and support all managers involved with this project. In this role, you may report any problems with the project, help ensure the schedule and budget match the objectives of the project, and otherwise ensure operations conform to the plan. This is often an intermediate managerial role that works directly below the primary project manager, but above the employees who are doing most of the actual work on the project. Most project control specialists focus on large, complex projects, and may help with several different projects at the same time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a project controls specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Controls Specialist, you need expertise in project management, cost control, scheduling, and data analysis, typically supported by a degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Primavera P6, MS Project, and Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), as well as relevant certifications such as PMP or AACE, is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure projects remain on track, within budget, and risks are proactively managed for successful project delivery.

What are some common challenges faced by project controls specialists when managing large-scale projects?

Project Controls Specialists often encounter challenges such as integrating data from multiple sources, maintaining up-to-date project schedules, and ensuring cost control across various project phases. Managing communication between different departments and adapting to frequent changes in project scope or timelines are also common hurdles. Proactively addressing these issues requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective collaboration with project managers, engineers, and stakeholders.

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

AspectProject Controls SpecialistCost Analyst
CredentialsPM certifications, industry-specific trainingFinance or accounting certifications, such as CPA or CMA
Work EnvironmentConstruction, engineering, or infrastructure projectsCorporate finance, manufacturing, or government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in project-driven industries like construction and engineeringCommon in finance, manufacturing, and government sectors

While both roles involve financial and project data, a Project Controls Specialist focuses on overall project scheduling, risk management, and performance tracking, whereas a Cost Analyst primarily analyzes project costs and budgets. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and focus, with the Project Controls Specialist managing broader project controls and the Cost Analyst concentrating on cost specifics.

Is project controls a good career?

Project controls is a valuable career path that involves planning, scheduling, cost management, and risk analysis to ensure project success. Professionals in this field often use tools like Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project and may pursue certifications such as PMI-SP or AACE certifications. It offers opportunities across industries like construction, engineering, and manufacturing with a focus on analytical skills and attention to detail.
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Project Controls Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Project Controls Specialist job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,641 per year, or $41.2 per hour.

Lead Project Controls Specialist, Project Controls & Reporting

National Grid plc

Northboro, IA • On-site

$147 - $172/hr

Other

Medical, Retirement

Posted 23 hours ago

Posted today

Job description

Lead Project Controls Specialist, Project Controls & ReportingAbout us

National Grid is hiring a Lead Project Controls Specialist for our Project Controls & Reporting department in Northborough, MA.

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live.


The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business

Job Purpose

The Project Controls team is accountable for the development, management, update, and analysis of project schedules and costs for a $9B-$10B dollar portfolio of complex, capital, electric projects.

Key Accountabilities
  • Accountable for building and developing project schedules across a portfolio of Transmission Line, Distribution Line and Substation projects. The schedules will be built using the agreed work breakdown structure to support key stakeholder groups. And/or proactively analyze project costs to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for cost optimization.
  • Progress each project every month to ensure all projects are monitored for project controls in line with the monthly reporting cycle, checking accuracy and consistency of data.
  • Report milestones, planned value and earned value data, % complete on projects and provide project commentaries.
  • Attend project status meetings – report on major material status; update forecast and schedule per progress discussion.
  • Summarize project performance metrics and provide specialized direction and recommendation to project teams and management for the resolution of diverse project controls issues.
  • Earned Value Management by working with the project manager to:
  • Develop of the budget/planned value of work based on the scope of work.
  • Determine the actual value of work completed by the project team based on milestones and objectives.
  • Calculate the earned value of the physical work completed.
  • Perform variance analysis including schedule and cost variances using indices such as the schedule performance index (SPI) and cost performance index (CPI).
Qualifications
  • 5+ years of work experience in Project Controls, Project Management or Data Analytics/Logic
  • Utility/Construction experience is preferred
  • Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or Extensive Cost Management experience required.
  • SAP & Procore experience would be ideal but not required
  • Experienced working under tight deadlines
  • Experienced in influencing, persuading, communicating, challenging, and negotiating.
  • Valid driver's license required with a safe driving history that meets National Grid's Safe Driver policy.
More Information

#LI-Hybrid #LI-ES1

$147,000 - $172,000 a year

National Grid will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. You must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.

National Grid operates in both the UK and US, with a broad portfolio of energy businesses dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power.

From electricity and gas transmission to advancing clean energy and modernising grids, our work covers every aspect of the energy system.

Our energy flows through absolutely everything we do

Life here at National Grid is more than just our purpose or our values, it’s everything we put into everything we do. It’s our commitment to diversity and inclusion; how we help our employees learn and grow; and how we partner with and support the communities where we live and work. It’s all this, and so much more.

We leverage our collective strengths to do meaningful BIG work so that we can be at the heart of a fair and affordable energy future.

Your salary is reviewed each year against the market for your role, skills, knowledge and experience.

Incentive

Annual performance plan or bonus (depending on your role) rewards your contribution to our success each year.

Retirement
  • Generous pension plan with company contributions up to 12%.
  • Private medical insurance for self and family.
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