Once you’re done with the PMP certification, you might be asking what the next step in your professional career is. Well, it’s time to land a high paying PMP job now that you have the knowledge and requirements to get a very nice position.
First, you’ll need to understand that a high paying job search takes time and experience but being PMP certified is a great step in your future and professional career. Project Management Professionals can easily earn in average 20% more than a project manager with the same credentials but without the PMI certification.
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A Project Management Professional as defined by the Project Management Institute is a well-known standard that is requisitioned by many organizations. PMP standards and requirements are being enforced by contractual regulations and established by PMO organizations.
A high paying job can be the outcome of specific job descriptions and knowing the processes and procedures will help you obtaining the top paying job. Many organizations will create a culture for PMPs to grow and learn while supporting project managers throughout their careers.
Recent studies and sites such as Monster and Indeed, shown that the best paying industries are related to pharmaceutical, aerospace and technology incubators. However, be aware that the level of expertise, knowledge and experience in those areas are slightly higher than the average job and these companies are looking for very specific set of skills on a PMP, so don’t get discourage if you can’t get a job in these industries early in your career.
Key Roles with High Paying PMP Jobs
Now, we will focus on very specific roles of those high paying PMP jobs, which in many instances the average salary can be in the upper $100K. Let’s discuss some of these opportunities.
1. Managing a PMO Office
The PMO office is the one that provides guidance, direction and oversights the Project Management functionalities within a company. It’s a high demanding job that requires deep understanding in all PMBOK areas and all processes related to the PMP role. The PMO manager is considered one of the top paying PMP positions, as the individual will have responsibilities assisting other PMPs, delivering projects and managing budgets/schedules for a large variety of projects.
This position can score a salary close to the $200k or in the upper $100k.
2. Construction Project Manager
Harsh conditions, tight schedules and juggling multiple sites at the same time, are some of the key challenges a construction project manager needs to handle. The nature of the industry requires a PM travelling to multiple sites and thus sometimes considered as a road warrior. The job sites can be remote locations with limited facilities and thus the high paying opportunities. A construction PM will also require extensive knowledge in different trades and areas helping them manage and control scope, schedule and cost.
These positions can offer salaries as high as $150K plus per diem allowances.
3. Project Manager Consultant
A PMP consultant can work for many companies and support multiple projects a once. The PMP consultant can score good paying jobs, due to its labour intensive scope and concurrent projects. The consultant job offers flexibility and opportunities for a PMP to manage projects across different industries, requiring basic knowledge in multiple processes. The consultant provides strategic guidance, in terms of cost, scope, communication, risks and schedule to organizations that might not be in a position to support a larger PMO strategic structure.
The salary for this role based on a 40 hour work week is close to $150K.
This position might have two different options: work as a consultant on your own providing support to PMP organizations, or working as a consultant for a PMP consultancy management company. The distinction between both is that one will provide oversight to PMPs while working as an independent consultant while the second will be tasked to act as a PMP for a specific project or program.
4. PP Manager
A PP Manager or a Portfolio and Program Manager is another top paying PMP role. This position provides planning, monitoring, reporting and execution of many programs or projects rolling into one master program. The PPM receives input from Senior Project Managers about their specific projects and combining them all into a master reporting structure. The PPM is tasked to provide strategic guidance and direction when issues arise that need executive oversight. The PPM usually will run the governance structure for the company portfolio and program, reporting up to C Level executives.
A PPM salary could be around $140K with higher pay scales in aerospace and pharma industries.
5. Project Managers
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- Aerospace Industry – A PM devoted to the aerospace industry can be considered a top paying job because the specific skills and requirements for this position. The aerospace PM can obtain security clearances needed to perform their work while working on specific projects that normally entail copyrighted processes, intellectual property or trade secrets.
Using average data for Glassdoor.com and Payscale.com, the average salary of a project manager on this industry is close to $110K.
- Aerospace Industry – A PM devoted to the aerospace industry can be considered a top paying job because the specific skills and requirements for this position. The aerospace PM can obtain security clearances needed to perform their work while working on specific projects that normally entail copyrighted processes, intellectual property or trade secrets.
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- Pharma Industry – PMPs working in the pharma industry are also considered to be in the higher pay scales. This job normally require specific health industry knowledge or background while obtaining other certifications such as Six Sigma, Lean Process and perhaps LEED certification. The Pharma PMP will likely be knowledgeable on ISO certifications and will need to obtain specialized degrees to climb spot or receive additional compensation.
Simplyhired.com provides a market range for this position between $90 and $130k for top experiences candidates.
- Pharma Industry – PMPs working in the pharma industry are also considered to be in the higher pay scales. This job normally require specific health industry knowledge or background while obtaining other certifications such as Six Sigma, Lean Process and perhaps LEED certification. The Pharma PMP will likely be knowledgeable on ISO certifications and will need to obtain specialized degrees to climb spot or receive additional compensation.
- Mining Industry – PMPs working for mining companies can also land high paying jobs. The nature of the industry requires high paid PMPs to maintain production at its peak while putting together thorough plans to execute and carry out the mining operations. PMPs are require to have safety credentials and specialized skills in civil, environmental and geo-technical background in certain aspects.
Glassdoor.com refers to average salary for mining PMs in between $89 and $130k excluding additional benefits such as per diem and other fringe benefits.
- Petroleum Industry – PMPs working in the petroleum industry normally work extended hours and in remote locations. The skills and knowledge in petroleum industry are a must. These PMP jobs are very labour intensive requiring extensive travelling and strict safety requirements.
Payscale.com captures average data from different companies and for PMs working on thru petroleum industry, the salary range is at $90-$180k, the higher range being for more experienced and seasons protect managers working on remote locations and on long lasting assignments.
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Do you think you can fit in any of these roles? If you do, make sure to understand how to manage unknowns in your construction project.
Want to get more insights about PMPs? Keep reading here to learn more about Project Management.
