PMP-certified professionals earn 29-33% more than non-certified peers. US median PMP salary: $120,000 vs $93,000 without.
| Education | PM Experience Required | Hours Leading Projects |
|---|
| 4-year degree | 36 months | 4,500 hours |
| HS diploma or associate | 60 months | 7,500 hours |
Plus 35 hours of PM education (courses, training, DAU).
| Item | PMI Member | Non-Member |
|---|
| PMI membership | $164/year ($154 + $10 app) | — |
| PMP exam | $405 | $655 |
| Retake | $275 | $375 |
| 35 PDU training | $200-$1,500 | $200-$1,500 |
| Total (first attempt) | ~$769 | ~$2,155 |
- Army COOL Listing
- Credentialing Assistance eligible (up to $2,000)
- GI Bill reimburses up to $2,000 for the exam
- Third-party discounts: PPI2Pass (15% military), Master of Project Academy (50% military)
- US median: $120,000
- 10+ years PMP: $173,000 median
- Defense contractor PM + Secret: $85,000-$115,000 (entry/mid)
- Senior defense PM + TS/SCI: $140,000-$160,000+
- DAU courses count toward PMP 35-hour education requirement
- DAWIA PM credentials are now integrating PMP/PgMP requirements (2024-2025)
- Naval Postgraduate School offers PMI-accredited MS in Program Management where students earn PMP + DAWIA PM Practitioner credit simultaneously
- DAU Program Management Training
Entry-level alternative when you don’t have 3+ years of PM experience.
- Requirements: 23 contact hours of PM education (no experience required)
- Cost: $225 PMI members / $300 non-members
- Renewal: Every 5 years; 15 PDUs
- Good stepping stone to PMP
| Cert | Issuer | Cost | Notes |
|---|
| PSM I | Scrum.org | $150 | No training required, open-book style, best value |
| CSM | Scrum Alliance | $800-$1,200 | Includes mandatory 2-day course |
| SAFe Scrum Master | Scaled Agile | $550-$750 | 2-day training required; $100/year renewal |
| PMI-ACP | PMI | $435-$495 | 21 hours Agile training + experience required |
| SAFe Agilist (SA) | Scaled Agile | ~$895 | Most common enterprise Agile cert |
| Background | Recommended Path |
|---|
| 11-series (Infantry) | Leadership experience → PMP + Agile + clearance |
| 12-series (Engineer) | Construction PM experience → PMP directly |
| Logistics (88/92-series) | Supply chain PM → PMP + Agile |
| Any officer (O3+) | Direct PMP eligibility via command/staff experience |
| Acquisition workforce | DAU courses → PMP → DAWIA alignment |
- PMP + Agile/SAFe + Secret clearance = defense PM ($100,000-$150,000)
- PMP + DAWIA PM + TS/SCI = senior acquisition PM ($140,000-$160,000+)
- CAPM + Agile + entry = junior PM role ($65,000-$85,000)
