How To Earn PMI Certifications

• Experienced and certified project managers can earn salaries well over $100,000 per year.
• PMI certifications are available from beginner-level project management to specializations.
• Education and project management experience requirements vary by the certificate.
• Many industries need project managers, including construction, IT, management, and healthcare.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that project manager jobs pay well across the United States. In May 2021, project managers earned a median annual wage of $94,500. Industries such as computer systems design and financial investment services pay well over $100,000 per year, depending on experience.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) provides certifications that help professionals prepare for these lucrative careers. PMI certifications help give you a competitive edge to advance into roles with higher salaries. There's a certificate for all experience levels, from entry-level to specializations in risk management and organizational transformation.

What Are the Requirements for a PMI Certification?

PMI certifications provide a framework to build upon, starting with the PMI project management ready certification. This beginner-level project management certification doesn't require a degree or previous experience. However, educational requirements and work experience vary depending on the certification.

In addition, your level of education affects how much work experience you'll need. Here are some of PMI's certification options.

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP):

• High school diploma or bachelor's degree
• One year of project management experience
• Eight months of agile project experience

Project Management Professional (PMP):

• CAPM certification or 35 hours of project management education training
• Associate degree and five years of experience leading projects
• Bachelor's degree and three years of experience leading projects
• Global Accreditation Center (GAC) program graduate, plus two years of project management experience

PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA):

• Associate degree and five years of business analysis experience
• Bachelor's degree and three years of business analysis experience
• GAC program graduate, plus two years of professional experience

PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP):

• Associate degree and at least three years of project risk management experience
• Bachelor's degree and at least two years of project risk management experience
• Bachelor's degree from a GAC-accredited program, plus at least one year of project risk management experience

PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP):

• Associate degree, three years of project scheduling, and 40 hours of formal education in project scheduling
• Bachelor's degree, two years of project scheduling, and 30 hours of formal education in project scheduling
• A bachelor's degree from a GAC-accredited program, one year of experience, and 30 hours of formal education in project scheduling

Program Management Professional (PgMP):

• Minimum of eight years of experience
• Associate degree and 4-7 years of project management experience
• Bachelor's degree and at least four years of project management experience
• Bachelor's degree from a GAC-accredited program, plus at least three years of project management experience

Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP):

• Eight years of professional business experience
• At least four years of professional project management experience and a bachelor's degree
• At least three years of project management experience and a bachelor's degree from a GAC-accredited program

What Skills Will I Learn With a PMI Certification?

PMI certification helps professionals develop transferable skills in predictive, agile, and design thinking. Learners hone power skills such as an innovative mindset, collaborative leadership, and communication. In addition, professionals develop business acumen, while cultivating an understanding of how a project aligns with organizational strategy.

Is a PMI Certification Worth It?

The Project Management Institute is an internationally recognized leader in the industry. A PMI certification is a reliable way to validate your project management knowledge and professional experience. It also emphasizes your commitment to continuous professional growth and keeps your skills relevant.

In addition, a PMI certification doesn't focus on a specific industry or methodology. Instead, you have a framework to build upon as you pursue a college education and gain work experience. For example, you could start with the PMI project management ready certification if you have no prior experience in the field.

Most of the certifications require at least a bachelor's degree. It could help you prepare for advanced certifications to gain work experience while you attend school. If you already have some project management experience and a bachelor's degree, you might start with a CAPM or PMP certification.

What Jobs Can I Get With a PMI Certification?

Project Manager: A project manager oversees company projects, planning strategy, defining and setting goals, and creating a project timeline. These professionals coordinate, assign, and document tasks for the team. They also provide support, manage the budget and resources, and report to stakeholders.

Information Technology (IT): IT project managers create, develop, coordinate, and maintain information technology projects. They develop and ensure quality standards, communicate with stakeholders, delegate tasks, determine milestone dates, and oversee resource allocation. IT project managers may also evaluate employees and leadership for areas of improvement to achieve organizational goals.

Risk Management: A risk manager may work with one or several managers or companies, researching issues from financial to material risks. They create reports, develop databases, and perform spontaneous checks and audits to ensure safety standards. They often recommend policy changes, develop new standards, and train staff.

ScrumMaster: These professionals oversee the day-to-day operations related to software development, ensuring efficiency and timely delivery of all tasks and projects. They're in charge of driving daily scrums, tracking progress, and completing performance reviews. In addition, these professionals typically have over five years of experience in IT project management.

Project Management Officer: Project management officers identify project needs, coordinate the team, and develop a detailed timeline with delegated tasks. They work with other divisions in their organization and outside vendors, and create reports for upper management. Project management officers must multitask on different projects and activities while ensuring all projects meet their deadlines.

How Much Money Can I Make With a PMI Certification?

According to Payscale May 2022 data, a general project manager can earn between $50,000 and $115,000 per year. The PMP certification validates project management education and experience. However, years of experience and the industry will also affect earnings.

Payscale found professionals with between 1-4 years of experience averaged $66,380 per year in May 2022. In comparison, a mid-career project manager with between 5-9 years of experience earned an average of $79,100.

Frequently Asked Questions About a PMI Certification