Benefits of PMP Certification
Becoming a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) is not an easy task. Doing so requires thousands of hours of leading and directing projects and passing a difficult exam. However, the benefits of PMP certification far exceed the effort required to become a PMP.
According to Project Management Institute (PMI), the PMP "is the most important industry-recognized certification for project managers."i It is not a simple task to earn this industry-recognized certification. In order to even sit for the PMP exam, project managers must meet certain criteria. The application process requires information about education attained and project management experience. In fact, project managers with a four-year degree need 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects while project managers with a secondary degree must have accrued 7,500 hours of leading and directing projects. By completing the PMP exam application, being approved to take the exam, and passing the exam, PMP-certified project managers set themselves apart. Being a PMP shows that project managers have the necessary knowledge and experience to effectively manage projects.
Not only does obtaining PMP certification prove project management experience but preparing for the PMP exam provides project managers with additional project management knowledge. Project management professionals who are applying to take the PMP exam must have 35 hours of project management education. This education is critical for passing the PMP exam, but it can also be applied in the workplace and can increase a project manager's skillset.
A higher salary is another benefit of PMP certification. In a survey of nearly 11,000 project management professionals in the United States, PMP holders had a median salary that was 25% higher than the median salary of project management professionals who were not PMP certified. The median salary for PMP holders was $115,000 compared to $92,000 for non-PMP project management professionals.ii
Whether a project management professional is seeking a way to stand out in the industry, is wanting to learn new project management knowledge and skills, or is looking to make more money, becoming a PMP can help achieve these goals. Start applying to take and preparing for the PMP exam to gain the benefits of PMP certification.
References
iProject Management Professional (PMP). Retrieved from
iiProject Management Salary Survey (2018). Retrieved from
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