Exam Details
Exam CodePMP
Exam Cost$555 USD
Duration230 minutes
Questions180
Passing ScoreAbove Target / Target / Below Target / Needs Improvement (per domain)
ProviderPMI
Difficulty7/10
Salary Data
Professionals holding the PMP certification earn between $90,000 and $165,000 annually, with an average of $120,000.
Job market demand trend: Stable (+5% YoY)
Prerequisites
- 4-year degree + 36 months leading projects + 35 hours of PM education/training
- High school diploma + 60 months leading projects + 35 hours of PM education/training
- PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP) course recommended but not mandatory
Skills Covered
Predictive Project ManagementAgile & Hybrid MethodologiesStakeholder EngagementRisk ManagementSchedule & Cost ManagementTeam LeadershipBusiness Analysis Fundamentals
Best Study Resources
Official
PMBOK Guide (7th Edition)
CourseAndrew Ramdayal — PMP Exam Prep
Practice ExamsPMI Study Hall
OfficialAgile Practice Guide
Comparisons Featuring PMP
PMP vs CAPM
PMP and CAPM are both issued by PMI and share the same knowledge base (PMBOK Guide), but they target completely differen...
PMP vs ITIL 4 Foundation
PMP and ITIL 4 Foundation are often confused as competitors, but they actually address different halves of IT operations...
PMP vs PRINCE2 Foundation
PMP and PRINCE2 represent two distinct philosophies of project management. PMP is competency-based — it validates that y...
Career Paths With PMP
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PMP still relevant in 2025?
Absolutely. PMP remains the most demanded project management certification globally. The 2021 exam update incorporated agile and hybrid approaches, keeping it aligned with modern project delivery. PMP holders earn 25-30% more than non-certified peers on average.
How hard is the PMP exam?
The PMP exam is moderately challenging with an estimated 60% pass rate. It includes 180 questions across three domains (People, Process, Business Environment). Roughly half the questions are predictive and half agile/hybrid. Most candidates study 2-4 months.
Do I need agile experience for PMP?
While not strictly required, approximately 50% of the current PMP exam covers agile and hybrid approaches. Familiarity with Scrum, Kanban, and iterative delivery will significantly improve your chances of passing.
PMP vs CAPM — which should I choose?
CAPM is entry-level and requires no project management experience. PMP requires 36-60 months of project leadership experience. If you meet PMP prerequisites, go directly for PMP — it carries far more market value and recognition.
Data Sources
- Salary data — Aggregated from job postings and salary surveys (US median)
- Job listings — Active postings across major job boards
- Pass rates — Community-reported estimates (not official vendor data)
- Exam details — PMI official documentation