Project Management Professional (PMP)® Certification: Cost, Requirements, Salary, and Jobs

The project management professional certification proves that you have what it takes to lead projects, solve problems, and make valuable contributions to any team or organization. Globally recognized and demanded, the PMP demonstrates the skills in project planning, developing project schedules, building project budget, quality control, risk analysis, procurement management, and a lot more for the successful implementation of any project. In this informative guide, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to earn your PMP certification like the requirements, examination cost, salary potential, and career opportunities.

Requirements for PMP certification

Before applying for the PMP examination, you must ensure that you meet one of the two sets of mandatory prerequisites which are mentioned as follows.

1. A secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or the global equivalent), 7,500 hours of leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education.
   OR
2. Four-year degree, 4,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education.

Cost of PMP certification and annual fee to PMI®

The cost of a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam is US$ 405 for members and US$ 555 for non-members of the Project Management Institute (PMI). However, the total cost of becoming certified is more than the exam fee. You must also pay an annual membership fee to PMI®, which is currently $129. In addition, you will need to purchase study materials and may need to pay for a course in order to prepare for the exam. If you’re looking to get ahead in your career, becoming a certified project management professional is a great way to do it and the cost of certification is worth paying.

Average annual salary for PMP® certified professional

The PMP® certification enhances your project management skillsets and increases your earning potential sharply just after qualifying for the certification. As of 2022, the average annual salary for a certified project management professional is $111,000 according to payscale.com. As per recent studies on the value of certifications in the job market, it has been determined that certified professionals get around a 20% hike in salary compared to the professionals who don’t certify.

Career choices after PMP® certification

It is globally recognized and demanded, and it can help you get promoted, earn a higher salary, and win new clients. After you earn your PMP, you’ll be armed with the skills and knowledge to take on any project, big or small. With a PMP certification, the sky is the limit for your career growth! Here are a few job titles that work well for PMP professionals.

• Project coordinator
• Portfolio and program manager
• Project director
• Product owner
• Project manager consultant
• Engineering project manager
• IT Project manager

If you are hunting for high-paying project management jobs after your certification with your dream companies, check out the Denken Solutions career portal. You can explore a broad range of contract job vacancies where you get paid well and your career is more promising than anywhere.