Motivation to Become a PMP in 2023

I became a Project Management Professional (PMP) in December 2011 and have been teaching it to others since mid-2012. During that time I have noticed a disappointing trend in how many students never follow through and even attempt to take the PMP exam. It’s mind-boggling the huge number of people who spend money, time, and effort on PMP training, but then never take the test. But, rather than explore the reasons behind that trend in this article, I’d like to just give you some motivation for why you don’t want to be “one of them”.

Five awesome reasons to get off your butt and take the PMP Exam this year:

1. Huge Job Opportunities – The Project Management Institute (PMI) is tracking 1.2 Million current PMP holders and yet their research shows the global economy needs 25 Million new project management related employees by 2030. My quick job search just now on LinkedIn using the term “PMP” returned 450,065 results. A PMP sets you up nicely to snag one of those roles.
2. Great Income – PMI’s research shows that the median salary for PMP holders in the United States is 32% higher than those without the certification. Furthermore, PMI’s 12th Global Salary Survey shows that PMPs in the US have a median salary of $123,000. Even PMPs with less than 5 years of experience enjoy median salary of $108,000. One student I personally taught in 2018 reported that he now makes over $300,000 in his PMP role.
3. Employers Respect PMPs - CIO magazine ranked the PMP as the top project management certification in North America because it demonstrates you have the specific skills employers seek, dedication to excellence and the capacity to perform at the highest levels.
4. Open New Doors – From my own personal experience, I have been hired by 4 different organizations as a Project Manager since becoming a PMP. Those roles included software development, veterinary regulatory science, mobile app remediation using agile, and automating student financial aid at universities. What really makes that all so incredible is that I am a retired U.S. Marine enlisted Avionics Chief who never did any of that in my 24 years of active duty service. The PMP certification opened those doors to civilian roles I never thought possible for me.
5. Entrepreneurial Empowerment - Many PMPs end up starting their own business that they probably never could have without the certification. I’m one example because I started PM-ProLearn in 2017 and it’s going great. I also know many other PMPs who have started consulting businesses and others who sell their PMP services to the highest bidding company on short-term contracts which can be very lucrative, provide great flexibility, and give lots of personal time between contracts.

But, hey, if those five reasons don’t motivate you to get after your PMP in 2023, that’s fine too because the low take-rate makes the PMP certification so much more valuable for those of us who put in the work and cross the finish line. If you’re a lazy quitter by nature, nothing I can say will motivate you to change and get this certification, but then again being lazy and being a quitter won’t serve you well in a career as a Project Manager, so it’s best that you get weeded out now.

If you’re reading this and you sense a renewed feeling of determination and go-for-it gusto welling up inside you to get that PMP in 2023, then I’m glad to have helped. My work is done here.

-Tim Dalhouse, CEO of PM-ProLearn