Key Project Management Observations

Amid a global economic climate plagued by high unemployment and a continued lack of organizational resources, the Project Management Institute (PMI) has good news for job seekers and organizations alike. According to the PMI® Project Management Salary Survey—Sixth Edition project managers, instead of suffering income losses like so many other professionals, are actually earning more than they were two years ago, before the worst of the recession hit.

How much more depends on location, experience, and certification level. Of the nearly 35,000 project manager practitioners who responded to the survey, 51 percent reported an increase in their total compensation, with the global median salary reaching $90,260 USD. Project Management Professional (PMP®) credential holders earn upwards of $10,000 USD more in certain countries than non-credential holders, with median salaries in the United States, Australia and Germany now exceeding $100,000 USD.

(PMI members can search for region-specific salary information via a query function on www.pmi.org)

Read the whole press release.

Many companies outside of finance and insurance are encouraging employees to sit for certification exams—and some are flat-out requiring the effort.

Companies say the certifications are proof that their current or prospective employees meet an industry-wide standard. And, some companies say a growing number of their clients insist on dealing only with employees who have earned industry designations.

The Project Management Institute says it has seen a 30% jump in registration for its handful of certifications. The most popular is the Project Management Professional certification for experienced managers, while the fastest-growing is the Certified Associate in Project Management, which prepares nonmanagers to be part of a project-management team, according to the nonprofit professional association.

Read more at the Wall Street Journal.