CompTIA Project+ vs PMP: Key Differences & Which to Choose

This article outweighs all the necessary aspects of project+ certification and project management professional certifications, including the prerequisites for each certification, how much each certification costs, the exam and its structure, the career opportunities available for each certification and its associated salary, and the relative impact of the salary and earned certifications. This will help you decide on which certification will help you in improving your professional experience and career advancement goals, as well as the financial feasibility for you.

I understand the weight of the decision in choosing between CompTIA Project+ and PMP certifications. Compounding my experience of advising so many people on the same issue, I know that it can get perplexing. Both of them validate your proficiency in project management. However, both target and aim for different career levels.

The way I see it, there is no certification which is absolutely better than the other. It all is contingent on your experience and your career perspective. I will help you understand your objectives and the subject so you can make the right decision.

For an IT professional who is responsible for minor project management and who does not wish to go through elaborate prerequisites, CompTIA Project+ is best suited, as it is vendor-neutral and the primary level of project management certification.

One of the main attributes of the CompTIA Project+ is the certificate's unique approach to qualification. There is no formal educational background needed, nor are there years of documented experience. This certificate is very information-packed and covers many different methodologies of project management.

Here are the main skills CompTIA Project+ focuses on:

• Management of the project cycle from the beginning to the closing phases
• Implementation of Agile methodologies
• Communication with teams and stakeholder management
• Resource management and allocation
• Fundamentals of Budgeting and Cost Management

The exam consists of 90 questions to be answered in 90 minutes. You need to acquire 710 points out of 900 to successfully pass the exam. Although CompTIA recommends at least 12 months of experience, this is not required. You are eligible to take the exam purely based on your knowledge.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) awards the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification to practitioners in recognition of their proven knowledge and skills. This is the most sought-after project management certification in the world. It also demonstrates your ability to manage complex projects in different sectors, and understanding what is PMP certification is helps professionals determine if this credential aligns with their career goals.

The certification is based on the PMBOK Guide, which is the Project Management Body of Knowledge. It outlines all the key best practices of project management. This certification demonstrates your ability to implement PMBOK principles and effectively manage multi-disciplinary teams.

PMP certification concentrates on three domains:

• People (42%): Team leading, stakeholder relations, managing disputes
• Process (50%): Planning, executing, and monitoring with predictive, agile, and hybrid workflows
• Business Environment (8%): Strategic alignment, benefits realisation, and change within the organization

The PMP exam is much more difficult. You will encounter 180 questions in different formats within a 230-minute timeframe. The examination assesses your skill in several domains of the exam without a simple pass/fail system.

Below is a comprehensive comparison that highlights the most important points.

Prerequisites and Eligibility

The difference in prerequisites is significant and often determines the pathway which you can choose to take immediately.

Unlike other certifications, CompTIA Project+ has very few prerequisites. CompTIA suggests having a year's worth of experience, though it is not a requirement. You don't need any specific background to take the exam as long as you feel prepared. Because of this, the certification is very useful for both career changers and IT workers moving into project management.

For the PMP certification, the qualifications are on the other side of the spectrum. You need to fulfil certain qualifications before the certification body lets you take the exam, which are outlined in the PMP certification requirements. With a bachelor's degree, you need to demonstrate 36 months of project leadership experience. Without a 4-year degree, you will need to demonstrate 60 months of experience along with 35 contact hours of formal training.

Every certification body has certain criteria which need to be fulfilled before a certificate is awarded. In the case of PMI, a fully complete application is subject to random audits. In such cases, candidates need to demonstrate supporting documentation for education and experience.

Cost Comparison

Finances, too, are a very important factor to consider while choosing a certification, especially when evaluating the PMP certification cost against your budget.

For CompTIA Project+, you have to spend:

• Exam fee: $358
• Study Materials: $100-$300
• Optional Training: $500-$1,000
• Total: $600-$1,700

For PMP certification:

• PMI Membership: $139 annually
• Exam fee: $405 for members and $555 for non-members
• 35 hours training: $1,500-$3,000
• Study Materials: $200-$500
• Total: $2,000-$4,200

In terms of setup costs, PMP is more expensive. However, many people determine the return on investment to be worth the investment, especially the difference in salary it offers. Professionals with PMP certification on record tend to make 25-30% more than those who are not PMP certified.

Exam Format and Difficulty

The CompTIA Project+ exam is simple and consists of 90 questions, which must be completed in 90 minutes. The questions test basic understanding of many different topics, and some questions are performance-based and require demonstration of some skills.

The exam format for PMP is a lot more sophisticated and contains 180 questions in different formats, such as traditional multiple-choice, multiple responses, matching, and hotspot questions. You are given 230 minutes, and while that is a huge portion of time, it requires a lot of mental stamina. The questions test your skills in putting the principles of your knowledge to practical use.

Your decision should reflect your current position and what goals you wish to achieve in the future.

Choose CompTIA Project+ if you:

• Have less than 3 years of documented project leader experience
• Primarily work in IT environments
• Want to establish basic knowledge
• Look for a low-cost entry-level option
• Manage small projects while having broader responsibilities
• Want to work your way toward PMP

Choose PMP Certification if you:

• Possess 3+ years of leading projects
• Want to manage large, complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• Prefer obtaining internationally recognised certification
• Desire to get high-paying jobs and advance to higher-level positions
• Have enough budget for detailed training
• Work in multiple industries

I have seen many people use CompTIA Project+ as their entry point and gain experience for two to three years, after which they advance to PMP. This is a financial and professional advancement that many people make.

There is a disconnect between the career paths and earning potential, particularly when examining project manager salary ranges across different certification levels.

People with CompTIA Project+ certification typically take up positions such as:

• IT Project Specialist
• Associate Project Manager
• Project Coordinator
• Junior Project Manager

Below is a breakdown of average salaries for CompTIA Project+ certified professionals by region:

Holders of PMP certification take up the following positions:

• PMO Director
• Senior Project Manager
• Program Manager
• Portfolio Manager

Below is a breakdown of average salaries for PMP-certified professionals by region:

In most markets, professionals who possess CompTIA Project+ certification earn roughly $35,000-$40,000 less than PMP-certified professionals. This gap adds up over the entire span of a career.

CompTIA Project+ Preparation

Set aside 2-3 months. Focus less on memorising frameworks and more on grasping the fundamentals across various methodologies.

• 15-20 hour study weeks
• 3 full-length practice exams
• Performance-based formats
• Exam objectives
• Certification forums

PMP Exam Preparation

Set aside 3-6 months for proper preparation. The examination is quite difficult, so a complete understanding of PMBOK principles is a must, and effective PMP exam prep requires structured study approaches.

Draft of preparation requirements:

• Reach 35 contact hours via quality trainings, e.g. Attend Techademy
• Study the PMBOK Guide comprehensively
• Attend Timed Full-Length Mock Tests
• Become Part Of PMP Study Groups
• Revise Process Groups And Knowledge Areas
• Simulate Concept Application In Pragmatic Scenarios

As an example, Techademy's PMP certification training program prepares students thoroughly via instructor-led training, practice exams, and support until you pass the exam. Techademy’s PMP online bootcamp provides comprehensive coverage of all exam domains and includes access to valuable PMP study materials that enhance your preparation.

Sure. It is common among successful project managers to hold both.

Strategic certification route:

1. Take the CompTIA Project+ to attain
2. Gain 2-3 years of project management experience
3. 35 hours of project management training
4. Gain PMP for advancement

This succession showcases the ascension of one's career and true devotion to the field while also demonstrating the tangible benefits of project management professional development.

Both certifications hold value, but your optimal choice depends on your career stage. CompTIA Project+ is a low-barrier certification that makes it easy to enter the field.

The PMP is the ultimate certification that has a global commanding respect and offers a high salary, and when comparing PRINCE2 vs PMP, the PMP generally offers broader global recognition across industries.

It is best to start where your level of experience permits. If you are new to Project Management and have little to no experience in a Lead role, CompTIA Project+ is the ideal starting point.

If you have been leading projects for a number of years, acquire your PMP certification to reap the level of career impact you desire. Many professionals also choose to enroll in a comprehensive Top PMP certification course to ensure they're thoroughly prepared for the rigorous examination.

Do not conflate having a certification with being a capable project manager. Pair certification with experience, ongoing education, and purposeful practice in leadership.