In the corporate and IT worlds, project managers are among the most sought-after professionals. In 2020, there were over 15 million project management jobs available globally with more added every year. Business organisations across industries have been working to fill these roles with project managers who meet the qualification and expertise requirements that drive value and growth at the enterprise level. 

The CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) credential is a leading certification project offered by the PMI (Project Management Institute), along with the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification. It aims at improving a candidate’s credibility and providing professionals with opportunities to lead large projects, hone their skills and boost their careers. 

What is a CAPM Certification?

The CAPM certification is an entry-level certification provided by the Project Management Institute. This Certified Associate in Project Management credential has been created for professionals looking to expand their horizons and understand the role of a project manager. A certificate is provided to any candidate who can pass the qualifying certification exam. This means excelling in various domains such as management processes, terminologies and concepts. The CAPM exam is based on the 6th edition of the PMBOK Guide and takes its curriculum from there. Recently, the 7th edition has also been made public. However, experts recommend using the PMBOK 6th edition while preparing for the CAPM certification exam. 

Is the CAPM Certification Worth It?

Many professionals are sceptical about taking a new career turn and starting in a new domain. With the CAPM ultimately being a fundamental-level credential, the question often arises about whether this certification is worth pursuing or whether you should go for a different domain. 

There are two primary reasons why people opt for a professional certification. The first is for career growth and more lucrative job roles. The other is the pay increase. Before pursuing this certification, make sure you know the benefits you stand to gain.

Benefits of a CAPM Certification:

Project managers are a vital part of every organisation in the world, regardless of industry. Earning a CAPM certification will undoubtedly open many doors for you. Some leading advantages of this credential are:

1. Better and global career opportunities: There is a growing demand for project managers who have the appropriate skills and training in nearly every industry today. Earning this credential allows you to earn better employment opportunities by increasing your worth as a candidate. 
2. Professional development and personal growth: A CAPM certification helps facilitate professional growth and personal betterment for individuals. The training path and the CAPM credential’s learning journey help candidates to develop competence and confidence in their skills. They learn how to identify and leverage industry trends and manage challenging clients and projects. 
3. Higher payment opportunities: Candidates who earn a CAPM credential have seen an average increase of 25% in their pay. The exact salary growth and the amount will depend on industry experience, industry, country and skills of the candidate. However, the credential will undoubtedly add value to your resume. We’ll cover CAPM certification salary and growth opportunities in more detail below. 

CAPM Certification Salary and Job Roles:

A CAPM certification equips you with the skills needed in entry-level project management roles like junior project manager, associate manager and project coordinator. Project management is a rapidly advancing domain and a hugely in-demand skill. According to a Burning Glass Technologies report, there were more than 2,80,000 entry-level positions for project management posted between March 2019 and Feb 2020. It also stated that job postings for project managers grew 51% from 2017 to 2019, with certified project managers earning 21% higher than un-certified candidates. 

According to one PMI report from 2021, the world must have 25 million project managers by 2030 to meet the rising demand. The average project manager’s salary in the United States is $67,911 per annum as of Feb 2022. Some of the other job roles that require CAPM training and their salaries are as follows:

• Junior project manager - $63,582 per annum
• Project coordinator - $52,014 per annum
• Project analyst - $64,501 per annum
• Associate project manager - $60,278 per annum
• Project control specialist - $74,645 per annum
• Project manager - $67,911 per annum

Salary according to country:

The highest demand for CAPM-certified candidates is in the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and India. Here are the salary structures for CAPM professionals in each of these countries. 

• USA - USD 60,000-126,000
• Canada - CAD 30,000-60,000
• UK - GBP 58,000-109,000
• India - INR 5,47,000-20,00,000
• Australia - AUD 80,000-152,000

Differences Between the CAPM and PMP Certifications:

The PMP (Project Management Professional) credential is another certification that the PMI administers. It is a more professional level certification as compared to the CAPM which is a more fundamental-level credential. There are also several differences between them in terms of requirements and benefits. You can probably consider taking up the PMP certification at a later stage, but the CAPM is what you should start with. 

Who Can Apply for the CAPM Exam?

The primary objective of the CAPM credential is to provide entry-level project management professionals with a professional certificate demonstrating their project management knowledge and skills. You are best suited to apply for the CAPM qualifying exam if:

• You want to join the project management field
• You want more experience in project management
• You are trying to meet the prerequisites for the PMP certification
• You aim to apply for the PMP credential at some point

Give your career the boost it deserves and enrol in a CAPM training course today.