NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In alignment with signs of improvement from various global economies, the project management profession is experiencing continued growth and high median salaries, according to the recently released 2013 Project Management Salary Survey from Project Management Institute (PMI). This latest research from the world’s leading professional membership organization for project managers is available to PMI members here.

The PMI Project Management Salary Survey Eighth Edition is based on self-reported salary information from more than 36,000 project management practitioners. The report provides a comprehensive look at compensation in the global project management field, measuring salaries across eight major position description levels in 33 countries. Countries reporting the highest median project management salaries are Australia, Switzerland, the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, Belgium, Sweden and the United Kingdom. See a full explanation of salaries in these regions.

The 2013 Salary Survey corroborates the findings of PMI’s 2013 Project Management Talent Gap Report, which indicates a significant upward trend in compensation for project professionals, fueled by projected growth of US$6.61 trillion within the project management profession and the creation of 15.7 million new project management roles worldwide between 2010 and 2020. Most survey participants (71 percent) report that their total compensation (including salary, bonus and other forms of compensation) increased over the 12 months prior to completing the salary survey, with over one fourth (28 percent) of respondents reporting increases of at least 5 percent over that time period. Specific findings of the 2013 Salary Survey include:

• The median annualized salary recorded in the survey, across all countries, roles and experience levels is US$88,399.
• Approximately 75 percent of respondents earned at least US$58,249, and the upper 25 percent earned at least US$116,183 (USD).
• Project Management Professional (PMP^®) credential holders can earn upward of US$15,000 more in certain countries than non-credential holders, with median salaries in the United States, Switzerland, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands exceeding US$100,000.

The median salary varied greatly depending on a number of key demographic factors, including: country of employment, position/role, average size of projects managed (including average project budget and average project team size), and number of years’ experience in project management.

The full report of the salary survey features:

• The responses of more than 36,000 practitioners in 33 countries
• Cross-tabulations of salary data by 8 positions and 15 demographic variables
• Countries with reported salary increases over the past year
• Countries with expected salary increases for the next year
• Information on benefit packages, work environments and available global project management career paths

“These numbers are great news for project managers who are looking to expand their careers with new skills, individuals who may be interested in a career change and those who are coming out of school or military service and considering what job would best suit their future goals,” said Mark A. Langley, President and CEO of Project Management Institute. “There is a very real benefit for those who have experience and training to pursue certification. Organizations are willing to pay for top project management talent as they recognize the competitive advantages delivered by project management.”

About Project Management Institute (PMI)

PMI is the world’s largest not-for-profit membership association for the project management profession. Our professional resources and research empower more than 700,000 members, certification and credential holders and volunteers in nearly every country in the world to enhance their careers, improve their organizations’ success and further mature the profession.

PMI’s worldwide advocacy for project management is reinforced by our globally recognized standards and certification program, extensive academic and market research programs, chapters and communities of practice, and professional development opportunities. Visit us at www.PMI.org, www.facebook.com/PMInstitute and on Twitter @PMInstitute.