Project managers have dynamic jobs that allow them to use a variety of skills every day while working with teams of talented individuals. And they have the potential of earning a high salary while doing what they love.
How much does a project manager typically make, what factors can affect their salary, and how much does PMP add to their salary? Continue reading about the PMP salary benefits and get answers to all these questions.
PMP Salary and Highest Paying Jobs
- Average Project Manager Salary
- How a PMP Certification Affects Your Salary
- Does Being a PMP Increase Your Salary?
- What Types of Project Managers Make the Most Money?
Average Project Manager Salary
There are several factors that will determine how much money you can make as a project manager. Those include your job’s location and industry, the size of the company that hires you, and your experience, education, and certifications.
To give you an idea of average project manager salaries, we’ve broken down the information for you below:
- An experienced and highly qualified project manager might earn anywhere from $92,000 to $151,000 annually, on average. Earnings are higher for those who are experienced, and an entry-level salary might be roughly $55,000.
- A program manager might earn an average of around $92,000 to $158,000 annually.
- A portfolio manager might make roughly $91,000 to $170,000 per year, on average.
Keep in mind that, for all these positions, receiving a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is a strategic way to increase your earnings. There are other benefits to getting your PMP certification as well.
How a PMP Certification Affects Your Salary
Becoming a Project Management Professional (PMP) is a popular route that many project managers take when they want to advance their career.
But is becoming a PMP worth it? For all the time and effort you need to put into preparing for the PMP certification exam, it should be worthwhile, so is it?
For many professionals who want to become qualified for more job openings and a higher salary, the simple answer is a resounding yes!
Does Being a PMP Increase Your Salary?
The median salary for a certified PMP is 32% higher in the United States – so it’s a smart way to boost your earnings. To illustrate what we mean: while a project manager with PMP certification’s salary might be around $132,000, whereas without this distinction, you might only earn approximately $100,000.
The longer you work as a PMP, the more you’ll be able to earn. For example, if you received your certification only a few years ago, you might only make a little over $100,000, on average. But if you became certified more than a decade ago, you might make upwards of $130,000 annually, on average.
Side note: Is becoming a certified PMP better than getting your master’s in project management? Well, the median income of someone with this degree is around $120,000, so you might be able to earn even more if you become a PMP. Just keep in mind that various other factors will determine your salary as well.
What Types of Project Managers Make the Most Money?
In addition to becoming a PMP, it’s important to keep in mind other ways to increase your earning potential, such as:
Experience: As mentioned above, the more experience you can acquire, the better, because employers will be inclined to pay you more. While someone who has less than three years of experience in this field might make around $83,000 per year, a project manager with a couple decades of experience might be able to make around $135,000 per year, on average.
Industry: It’s also wise to carefully consider the industry you pursue, as this can greatly impact your salary. Some of the industries that pay the highest PMP salary include:
- Resources – Roughly $135,000, on average
- Consulting – Roughly $134,000, on average
- Pharmaceuticals – Roughly $133,000, on average
- Aerospace – Roughly $122,000 to $130,000, on average
- IT – Roughly $117,000, on average
- Healthcare – Roughly $111,000, on average
Budget and Team Size: Another way to boost your earning potential is by becoming skillful enough to manage a bigger budget and lead larger teams. Someone who can manage teams of 10 or more people might make over $120,000, on average. Compare that to someone who only leads a few people and who earns, on average, roughly $107,000.
RMC Can Help You Become a PMP
If you’ve thought about the perks that come with being a Project Management Professional and you’re ready to take the next step in your career, RMC is here to help you reach your goals. Explore RMC’s proven PMP exam prep materials and classes to help you successful study for the PMP.
Sources:
https://blog.capterra.com/top-5-highest-paying-pmp-jobs/
https://wwwpayscale.com/research/US/Certification=Project_Management_Professional_(PMP)/Salary
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/pmp-certification-salary
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