Project Management Institute’s Earning Power Report reveals salary increases across the profession
Project managers who earn the PMP® certification enjoy a significant advantage in terms of salary and earning potential over counterparts who don’t hold such certifications, according to PMI’s recently released Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey, Ninth Edition.
The survey—which collected self-reported salary information from more than 26,000 project management practitioners in 34 countries—reveals that respondents with PMI’s globally recognized Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification, garner a median salary that is 20 percent higher on average than those without a PMP certification. The report provides salary information across 15 demographic variables, including position description, years of work experience, industry and type of project.
“This information is a must-have for project management employees and employers alike—not to mention compensation committees, human resources departments and executive recruiters interested in the project management profession,” said PMI President and Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Langley. “The report includes eight major position descriptions and levels in its data, lending critical insight on roles ranging from entry-level project managers to senior executives.”
In the United States, project managers in the pharmaceuticals industry reported the highest median salary ($125,500), followed by those working in agriculture, mining and natural resources ($120,640) and consulting ($120,000). Other industries posting high median U.S. salaries include aerospace ($115,000), engineering ($112,000), utility ($110,425), government ($110,000) and information technology ($110,000).
The median salary of U.S.-based respondents holding a PMP certification was $111,000 versus a median salary of $91,000 for participants without PMP certification. Overall, the median U.S. salary was $108,200, with a median total compensation of $116,000.
Earning Power reports salary increases over the past 12 months and lists expected salary increases over the next 12 months. Among its key findings:
- 72 percent of participants reported their total compensation (salary, bonus and other forms of compensation) increased during the 12 months prior to completing the survey, with 27 percent of respondents reporting increases of at least 5 percent during that same time period.
- The median annual salary, across all countries, roles and experience levels is $81,000 (USD). The median salary varies widely from country to country, with the highest in Switzerland: $130,000 (USD).
- The size of projects managed and their budgets often make a difference when evaluating salaries. In South Africa, for example, those managing projects teams of 20 or more people have a median salary that is 72 percent higher than those managing teams of one to four people.
The complete report is available at www.pmi.org/pmsalarysurvey.