Job outlook for PMP certification holders [updated 2021]
The Project Management Professional (PMP) is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Having a certification or two under your belt can help you in your career. For those looking to take some commanding first steps in information security, project management certifications including the Project Management Professional, or PMP, is no exception. The PMP certification is considered the flagship of project management certifications. Consider this — the Project Management Institute (PMI) has recently compiled a report anticipating the number of project management jobs to increase by 6.2 million new jobs from 2010 to 2020. Research from PMI.org indicates that employers will need to fill nearly 2.2 million new project-oriented roles each year through 2027. This means skilled project managers will be in high demand.
If you want to get into this burgeoning subfield that spans many different industries and jobs, PMP is the certification to get.
What is the PMP certification?
The PMP certification is a global project management certification hosted by the Project Management Institute and is considered the gold standard of project management certifications.
Who should pursue a PMP certification?
Simply put, anyone who wants to sharpen their project management skills and be able to demonstrate them to employers should have this certification.
The PMP is not for entry-level project managers. Rather, it is for those with enough experience to demonstrate the following requirements:
- You can perform your duties under general supervision and are accountable for all aspects of the project (to last for the life of the project).
- You can direct and lead cross-functional teams to carry out projects while meeting schedule, budget and resource constraints.
- You demonstrate sufficient experience and knowledge to appropriately apply project management methodology to projects with well-defined requirements and deliverables.
PMP prerequisites
When can you earn the PMI?
- Secondary degree (example — high school diploma)
- 35 hours of project management education
- 7,500 hours spent leading and directing projects
Or:
- Four-year degree
- 35 hours of project management education
- 4,500 hours spent leading and directing projects
As you can see, the PMP certification demands a significant amount of experience before you may earn it and the numbers prove it. According to PayScale, 40% of PMP earners have 10–19 years of experience.
How does PMP apply to my information security career?
PMP is a global project management certification that can be used in a wide variety of fields and industries. Regarding information security, PMP applies to several different roles. Chief among these roles are IT project manager, information security project manager, software developer and systems engineer. These different roles demand a significant amount of project management due to the nature of business today. So if you are looking for one of these roles, PMP will put you a level above the rest.
What is the job outlook for PMP certification holders?
The job outlook for PMP certification holders is quite favorable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of project management roles will grow by 6% by 2024. In terms of hard numbers, this translates into 505,000 new project management jobs by 2024. With this new influx of project managers, setting yourself apart from the crowd with a certification such as PMP will become all the more important.
PMP certification pay expectations
According to PayScale, project managers can expect to earn $72,000 and as high as $142,000 in some areas, and the average salary wages for a senior project manager are $104,496 (as of February 2021). This number estimate is based on the average amount of all roles that demand this certification.
It’s important to remember that this estimate may or may not apply to your specific role. To help you better determine the amount you can expect to be paid, PayScale offers a minimum and maximum pay range for a list of different roles requiring a PMP. If you can find your specific role on PayScale, the number it provides will be a more accurate idea of what you can expect to earn.
Networking
One of the best parts of earning a PMP is that it will put you in touch with other high-powered project management professionals, both IT and non-IT. This can have a significant impact on the subsequent path of your career because you will be able to take advantage of this expanded network to help bring your career to greener pastures. As the saying goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
Proof of advanced skill set
Another beautiful thing about holding a PMP certification is that it demonstrates your advanced level of project management skills. It is well known that this certification requires an elevated level of project management skills to attain, so just having earned it will put you head and shoulders above the rest in the information security field.
Working in new industries
Sometimes, changing industries or fields of work can be refreshing. PMP can be quite helpful to this end, as the certification is global and many different industries consider it the flagship standard of project management.
Since project management is a skill set that is used by many industries and fields today, it can help you open a door to a new field. Changing careers can be difficult for some — having a PMP may just be your key to that new door.
Pursuing the PMP certification
Project management is a useful skill set among many different industries, fields and job titles. The PMP certification, hosted by PMI, is the front runner for the most desired project management certifications and will prove to employers that you have an advanced level of project management skills and will set you apart from other candidates.
PMP requires an extensive amount of knowledge, skill and experience to earn — and you are well rewarded for it. With a high average earning salary and broad application across many industries and fields, PMP certification holders have a bright job outlook.
Sources
- Salary for Certification: Project Management Professional (PMP), PayScale
- 5 Amazing Benefits Of PMP Certification, KnowledgeHut
- Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI
- What Is the Employment Outlook for Project Management?, Best Value Schools