Weekly Discussion Forum 1

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has released its 12th edition of the "Earning Power: Project
Management Salary Survey," shedding light on the impact of continuous education and skill-building in
the project management field. The survey, conducted between March and June 2021 with over 30,000
respondents, reveals that those holding the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification
reported a 16% higher median salary on average across 40 surveyed countries compared to those
without the certification.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, half of the participants reported an increase in
total compensation over the 12 months preceding the survey. This increase included salary, bonus, and
other cash incentives. The survey also highlights a growing demand for project professionals, projecting
a need for 25 million new project professionals globally by 2030.

The report emphasizes the significance of ongoing professional development and upskilling, stating that
project managers who invest in their skills are better positioned to seize new opportunities. Salary
variations were observed among different countries, with Switzerland, the United States, and Australia
reporting the highest median salaries.

Furthermore, the survey indicates that salary tends to increase with higher positions, but the rate of
increase varies significantly by country. Noteworthy increases were observed in Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi
Arabia, and New Zealand, where project managers saw median salary jumps of over 60% from Project
Manager I to Project Manager III.

In conclusion, the report serves as a valuable resource for both project management professionals and
organizations seeking to understand competitive compensation opportunities in the evolving job market.
It highlights the financial benefits for project managers who are committed to continuous professional
development, providing insights into global salary trends and variations across different career levels and
geographic locations.