Average PMP salary (2024): Your guide to a prosperous career

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is a passport to success in the modern tech and cybersecurity landscape. Earning this coveted credential not only equips you with the expertise to lead projects with authority, but it can also significantly boost your earning potential. And the median salary for PMP certification holders continues to climb, making it a smart investment for ambitious professionals. 

Let’s look at the PMP certification, investigate the average salaries for PMP holders as well as factors affecting salary and review some tips on preparing for the exam. 

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Understanding the PMP certification 

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification validates your knowledge and experience in leading and directing projects across any industry. In recent years, the PMP certification has seen a surge in popularity among tech professionals, due to the increasing demand for skilled project managers who can navigate the complexities of IT and cybersecurity initiatives. 

This certification is ideal for professionals who want to advance their careers in project management and demonstrate their expertise in managing complex projects, especially those in the tech sector. A PMP-certified professional's key responsibilities include: 

• Initiating, planning, executing and closing projects effectively. 

• Managing project teams and stakeholders. 

• Developing and implementing project plans that meet scope, budget and timeline. 

• Identifying and reducing project risks. 

• Ensuring clear communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle. 

Factors influencing salary 

Before we examine specific figures, it's important to understand the key factors that influence both PMP salary and project manager salary. These factors paint a clear picture of how much you can earn and how to optimize your earning potential. 

• Experience: Similar to other careers, experience matters. As you accumulate project management experience, your value increases, leading to a natural rise in your compensation. Project managers with a proven track record of successful project completions typically command higher salaries compared to those just starting. 

• Geographic location: Location can also have a significant effect on a Project Management Professional salary. In cities like San Francisco or New York City, where the cost of living is higher and/or there is more demand for skilled project managers, PMPs typically get paid more than in smaller cities and towns. 

• Education and certifications: While not always mandatory, a college degree and a relevant field, such as computer science or engineering, can impact your salary. Even more impactful is a PMP certification because it demonstrates a standardized level of competency in project management. 

Average PMP salary data and trends 

To give you the most up-to-date picture of what PMP certified professionals are earning, we gathered average salary data from several reliable sources: 

• Payscale: $117,000 

• Glassdoor: $101,300, plus $19,104 in additional compensation 

• Salary.com: $161,408 

Each of these sources uses different data collection methods. However, based on their numbers, we calculate the average salary for a PMP to be $136,121. Remember, your earning potential depends on the factors we'll examine. 

Salaries by location 

The geographical location of your PMP role will affect your salary. These average PMP salaries in various cities, courtesy of Salary.com (which includes additional compensation), will give you an idea of how much it can vary: 

• San Francisco, CA: $201,761 

• New York, NY: $188,525 

• Portland, OR: $168,188 

• Kansas City, MO: $158,019 
• Miami, FL: $155,759 

Salaries by experience 

As you gain more experience managing projects, you can expect your salary to climb steadily. Here are average PMP salaries based on years of experience from Glassdoor: 

• 0-1 years: $112,000 

• 1-3 years: $115,000 

• 4-6 years: $124,000 

• 7-9 years: $130,000 

• 10-14 years: $137,000 

• 15+ years: $155,000 

Salaries by industry 

Project management is applicable across various industries, and some sectors offer higher salaries compared to others. Here are some average PMP salaries in different industries courtesy of Glassdoor: 

• Aerospace and defense: $171,000 

• Financial services: $161,000 

• Information technology: $160,000 

• Legal: $134,000 

• Telecommunications: $136,000 

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Career opportunities for project management professionals 

The PMP certification is one of the most flexible ones out there because there are a wide variety of project management roles. Many of these roles align with the growing tech and cybersecurity domains and add to the bright PMP jobs outlook in 2024. Here are a few examples of the roles that PMP certification can get you, along with average salaries from Payscale: 

• IT project manager ($103,483 average salary): Lead and oversee the development, implementation and maintenance of IT systems. This role requires a strong understanding of IT infrastructure, project management methodologies and the ability to navigate complexities of IT projects. This role can lead to promotion, and the average salary for a senior IT project manager is $123,575. 

• Information security manager ($127,188 average salary): Implement and manage cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive data. In this role, you'll collaborate with security analysts and other IT professionals to find and mitigate security risks in new projects. Here, your PMP certification demonstrates your ability to manage complex security projects and ensure they meet security best practices. 

• Cloud solutions architect ($133,621 average salary): In this role, you'll lead and manage the migration, implementation and ongoing management of cloud-based solutions. It requires a strong understanding of cloud computing technologies, project management best practices and the ability to effectively manage cloud-based projects from idea to completion. 

• Software development project manager ($100,988 average salary): Manage the development of software applications. This role requires a strong understanding of the software development life cycle (SDLC), project management methodologies and the ability to collaborate effectively with developers, designers and other stakeholders to deliver software projects on time and within budget. 

• IT infrastructure project manager ($111,670 average salary): With this title, you'll manage projects that are related to IT infrastructure, such as data center migrations, hardware deployments and network upgrades. To do well in this role, you'll need to have a strong understanding of IT infrastructure components and the ability to oversee infrastructure projects with minimal disruption of ongoing operations as well as strong project management skills. 

PMP career pathways and progression 

PMP certification is not just a credential for project managers in a narrow sense. Instead, it's a powerful supplement for any role where you lead, manage or oversee projects. This can include a wide range of technical, managerial or even compliance-based positions. 

The PMP gives you a robust project management toolkit. This toolkit includes essential skills like planning, budgeting, Risk management, communication and stakeholder engagement. No matter your specific field, these skills are highly sought after by employers across many industries. Here's how it can fuel your career progression: 

• Entry-level project management: The PMP certification can launch your project management career and make you a strong candidate for entry-level project coordinator or assistant project manager roles. 

• Technical project management: If you already work in a technical field like IT, cybersecurity or engineering, the PMP can solidify your expertise in managing technical projects and open doors to project management roles within your specific technical domain. 

• Managerial advancement: Project management skills are necessary for managers at all levels. The PMP certification showcases your ability to lead, plan and achieve results, making you a strong contender for promotion to managerial positions within your organization. 

• Compliance and risk management: The structured approach emphasized by the PNP is valuable in compliance-based roles and can improve your ability to manage risks and ensure projects adhere to regulations. 

• Entrepreneurship: Even if you plan on starting your own business someday, the PMP can be a valuable asset. The skills you develop in project management translate directly to launching and managing your business ventures. 

Preparing for the PMP certification 

Before pursuing the PMP certification, it's important to ensure that you meet the prerequisites set forth by the Project Management Institute (PMI). You'll need 35 hours of formal project management education (or CAPM certification) and either 36 months of experience leading projects in the past eight years with a four-year college degree or 60 months of experience leading projects in the past eight years with a high school diploma. 

The PMP exam covers a comprehensive range of project management topics with 180 multiple-choice questions, and you're given four hours to complete the exam. Here is a breakdown of the exam domains with their weights: 

• People (42%): This domain focuses on the human aspects of project management, including leadership, team building, communication, negotiation and conflict resolution. 

• Process (50%): Here, the exam covers the core project management process outlined in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). This includes processing involved in project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling and closure. 

• Business Environment (8%): This domain emphasizes the importance of understanding the external factors that can impact projects, such as organizational culture, market trends and economic influences. 

There are many ways to prepare for the PMP exam, catering to different learning styles and preferences: 

• Authorized live boot camps: Infosec's PMP Training Boot Camp will provide intensive training led by certified instructors and the necessary knowledge to pass your PMP exam in only five days. 

• Self-paced training: Online courses often include video lectures, practice exams, study guides and other resources that give candidates flexibility in their study plan. 

• Self-study: If you're highly motivated and have a strong project management foundation, you may study independently using PMI-approved resources and practice exams. This approach demands significant self-discipline and time commitment. 

Earn your PMP, guaranteed!

Enroll in a PMP Boot Camp and earn one of the industry’s most respected certifications and enjoy exam insurance.

Get Pricing

PMP salary conclusion 

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a valuable asset for anyone from just about any industry looking to advance their career in project management. With an average salary of $136,121, PMP-certified professionals are in high demand across many sectors. 

But the value of the PMP goes beyond just a bigger paycheck. It opens doors to a wider range of career opportunities, particularly within the high-growth fields of tech and cybersecurity. Whether you aspire to lead complex IT projects, manage information security initiatives or transition into a project management role, the PMP empowers you to take charge of your career. 

Ready to get started? Our PMP certification hub will give you even more PMP information about the exam and the skills and knowledge you'll need to pass it. Invest in your future with the PMP certification and take your first step towards a rewarding career.