Many aspiring Project Managers ask themselves “Can I get a job after obtaining a PMP certification? What kind of a job, and in what industry?” Getting a PMP certification is not an easy task and it requires an investment of time and money, two of the most important resources. It is, therefore, understandable to stop and consider if it is a worthwhile step.
Skills, competence, and experience are important for managing the day-to-day of an organization. However, managing individual projects is a completely different challenge. As a project manager, you will have to oversee employers and ensure that resources are used under strict constraints. You will be required to achieve specific goals. To accomplish this, you need a management style; one that is created using proven best practices and solid experience.
When you use a proven methodology or framework, you will be able to enjoy several benefits. It helps businesses save money, time, and effort, which otherwise would be wasted because of indecision and vagueness. It is the responsibility of a project manager to tailor the methodology to suit the unique requirements of the project and overcome unforeseen obstacles.
PMP-certified managers are in high demand right now, the certification allows them to get to upper-level management positions and impressive salaries. As per the PMI Earning Power Report of 2018, PMP-certified professionals had a 23% higher salary median than their non-certified counterparts. The survey was conducted on 33,000 managers working in 37 different countries. There are many companies that expect PMP certification as a standard for higher roles.
There are several reasons as to why a manager should pursue a PMP certification course. But why should companies make an investment in them? In simple terms, if managers have a deep understanding of the techniques, tools, and inputs of the PMBOK concepts, they can make a huge impact on the company projects. They will be able to improve the likelihood of the project’s success and reduce wastage. They will also ensure quality results by creating a positive and productive workplace environment.
If we look at the statistics, there will be approximately 15.7 million new Project Management job opportunities by 2020. The anticipated growth in the industry’s footprint is somewhere around $6.7 trillion (https://www.pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/pulse/talent-gap-2020), and a 37% increase in the output of project-intensive industries such as manufacturing, finance, construction, and IT. It is the perfect time for Project Management Professionals to build project management skills as demand outstrips supply.
Project management roles are expected to grow by 13.4 million in 2020 in 10 countries, namely, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Moreover, in the United States of America, the average household income is roughly $55,000, while project management professionals with a PMP certification make $109,000. These numbers do justify the benefits of getting a PMP certification.
The demand for professionals with PMP certification has grown exponentially. It is seen as a prestigious certification and is a huge advantage for candidates and employers. It not only gives you professional power in the project management industry, but you also make more money than non-certified candidates.
So, once an individual has completed PMP training and acquired his or her PMP certification, they might be asking, what the next step is? A high paying job does require time and experience but being PMP certified is a huge step in the professional career of a person. Professionals with PMP certification earn up to 25% more than non-certified professionals.
Top High Paying PMP Jobs
Since the importance of the PMP certification has been established, let’s dive right in the job prospects which pay lucrative salaries to their employees:
1. Managing a PMO Office
It is regarded as one of the leading and high-paying jobs as it involves overseeing timelines and budgets, delivering projects, and helping other PMPs. The role demands knowledge in all PMBOK areas and all minute details of the PMP role.
2. Construction Project Manager
This role can be remote as it requires the manager to travel often to multiple sites, and the role requires a manager to handle challenges hence there are well-paying opportunities. A construction PM will also require to have an understanding of different fields helping the business manage and control cost, schedule, and scope.
3. Project Manager Consultant
The role of PMP consultant requires offering guidance in terms of schedule, risks, communications, scope, and overall budget. It provides various opportunities and flexibility to manage different projects and that too with basic expertise in multiple processes. Due to its labor-intensive profile, it is a well-paying job. As a PMP consultant, you can either work with a PMP consultancy management company or work as a consultant on your own providing support to PMP organizations.
4. Project Managers
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- Aerospace Industry – If you always dreamed of planes but is a PMP certified professional now, this is the right industry for you as it is a top-paying job. A Project Manager who is committed to this industry must be highly specialized with the required set of skills. The aerospace PM can get security clearances that are required for work while simultaneously working on projects that usually include IP rights or copyrights.
- Pharma Industry – The pharma industry offers high paying opportunities to the Project Management Professionals. The role requires an understanding of the health industry or similar background along with certifications, such as Lean Process, Six Sigma, etc.
- Mining Industry – The mining industry is a well-paying industry and has amazing job opportunities. Project Management Professionals working here need to maintain efficiency and production to its maximum capacity. Due to the demanding work conditions, the professionals are required to have extensive knowledge of civil and geotechnical aspects to maximize production and remain safe.
- Petroleum Industry – The Project Management Professionals who are working in this industry will be required to work for extended periods of time and in harsh conditions. These jobs require strict safety rules and demand for traveling. Moreover, skills play a crucial role in this industry.
The commitment that is required to obtain a PMP certification is something others recognize. Professionals will also be able to meet the eligibility requirement criteria where most companies specify for career growth.
