17 Jan All You Need to Know About CAPM vs PMP
Project management certifications like CAPM and PMP can be of great use in enhancing your career. At whichever stage you are in the project management, be it the initial or developing stage, this decision on choosing between CAPM and PMP can be confusing. Let’s break it down in the following blog by discussing the basic differences and see which one fits well with your career aspirations.
Why It Matters
It is important to know the difference between CAPM and PMP because both are different with respect to the level of experience, different requirements, and the resultant career. The right choice can help speed up your career in project management.
Quick Read
- Introduction to CAPM and PMP: Learn about the purpose and target audience for each certification.
- Educational Requirements and Costs: Understand the qualifications and financial investment needed for both certifications.
- Career Opportunities and Salary Growth: Roles and salary potential associated with CAPM and PMP certifications.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | CAPM | PMP |
| Target Audience | Beginners | Experienced professionals |
| Education Required | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor’s degree or high school diploma |
| Experience Needed | None | 36-60 months of project management experience |
| Cost | $225 (PMI members), $300 (non-members) | $405 (PMI members), $555 (non-members) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours | 4 hours |
| No. of Questions | 150 | 180 |
| Certification Validity | 5 years (renewal required) | 3 years (renewal required) |
| Average Salary (US) | $67,000/year | $120,000/year |
1. What is CAPM and PMP?
CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) is for those who want to invest their time to start a career in the project management domain. It focuses on key ideas, processes, methodologies and practices as described by PMI in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide).
PMP (Project Management Professional) is a more complex certification aimed at professionals with more years of professional experience. It demonstrates the ability in the key competencies of project delivery, to leadership onsite as well as the delivery of results across sections of industries.taaata
Both certifications are issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI), which ensures their global recognition and value.
2. Education and Cost
To achieve CAPM, you must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and 23 hours of project management education. For PMP, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or a high school diploma with additional project management experience:
Bachelor’s Degree and 36 months of experience or
High School Diploma and 60 months of experience.
The costs also differ considerably. While CAPM is available for $225 to PMI members and $300 to non-members, PMP goes for $405 for members and $555 for non-members. Hence, though PMP is costlier, it can have more return on investment in terms of salary and probable jobs in the future.
3. Career Opportunities and Salary Growth
While both of these certifications have potential for good careers, they both provide roles within different tiers of experience.
CAPM: A good starting pay grade for project coordination or entry level junior project management, on an average, is about $ 67500 annually in the United States of America. It is good to start from there and build experience.
PMP: This is designed for the positions such as; Project Manager, Program Manager or Portfolio Manager. It was stated that PMP professionals are to earn around $120,000 with career progression to other rungs on the remunerative ladder.
From the above findings it is clear that the PMP holder has a better chance to get a high profile job and has an easier access to leadership positions than the CAPM holder.
Whether you go for CAPM or PMP depends totally on your career stage and aspirations. If you’re just starting in project management, CAPM is the cost-effective route to building foundational skills. For more senior professionals, PMP offers validation of expertise and opens opportunities at senior levels. Both certifications, developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI), are excellent investments in your career.